Croft starts for England

NHSaints says...

Wow, this is going to be one hell of a match and honestly...I think we're going to lose. Not because we're the worse side (because we're not by a long chalk) but because we haven't played as well as we can since the game against Scotland and because we still have no real attacking flair in the back 3 (more the fault of Goode than the other 2). Dan Cole needs a massive game, this could decide who starts at 3 in the first lions test.

Posted 19:31 14th March 2013

jamesliveinhope says...

@mayhem - fantastic comment "best stadium for swimming apart from the lack of a pool"

On the subject of the pitch, I wouldn't be getting too excited about the contest at the scrum. The turf folds like a cheap rug under the first sign of pressure so the scrum will be a complete lottery.

Steve Walsh was getting mighty pi55ed off with the problems in Dublin last week so it will be interesting to see if he can keep a lid on his impatience this week.

Posted 19:16 14th March 2013

heathy says...

@stumpy - I agree. Wales' set piece is good but it wasn't good initually, it has just got better as Adam Jones has found his form and Gethin Jenkins is getting there. The scrum is the key in this regard. That is probably why Marler is back as 'technically' he is the better prop over Vunipola. I really don't think the refs have helped with how they set the scrums but this is an area that we need to be careful with. Get a shunt back and Wales' confidence will be up. Wales play A LOT on confidence and if we can stop them getting a sniff then we will get stronger as the game goes on. Croft is also back for his athleticism and the lineout. England will look to move Wales aroud the park, bash holes down the middle and try and get quick ball. There is no point in trying to get into an arm wrestle with them. It won't work especially with Wales at home and a noisy crowd. Defensively we are very good and so are Wales but England have been playing the better rugby of late by a distance. We just need to do more of the same. For me it is how the players handle the situation. Most haven't been there before and this is a pressure game more for England than Wales. Wales have 3 Grand Slams of late and we don't have any. We are the better side right now. We just need to have faith in ourselves and keep our heads. Easier said than done though but we'll see. It isn't a forgone conclusion at all. Wales are very capable of winning. If they are to win they will need to play their best game of the tournament by some margin. I think we will win this in the last quarter. Have faith.

Posted 16:50 14th March 2013

pierredelot1 says...

Seems in some peoples eyes players of talent like Croft are soon forgotten. Not for nothing did he go on the last Lions trip and it wouldn't suprise me to see him off again this year. bags of talent, loads of speed and thinks a bit more than Haskell who seems to fly around the park often to no effect. Can't say this would have happened if Morgan had been fit though. So England with three blind siders take on Wales with a couple of open siders. My worry is the breakdown where I feel the on the ball skills in the loose of Warburton and Tipuric may outweigh the carrying abilities of Robshaw and Wood, so Croft is really going to have to put in a dogged shift. No suprise in the recall of 9 and 10 after last weeks performance, but once again the clash of the heavies in midfield will be one to watch. I just feel that both sides lack a bit of wit in midfield and the game will call out for a change in personnel somewhere. Joubert didn't have a great game last time out. He was standout last season but so far has failed to meet his usual level of competancy, its like he's beginning to think too much about it. But the game needs to flow a bit and hopefully unlike last week we really need to see the set controlled properly. One thing for sure this crouch, touch engage formula is proving no better than the old system, no doubt coaches are just trying to get away with all sorts, but it really needs to stop so we can get back to proper rugby, last weeks Scotland Wales game was a travesty at the set. If necessary stop the hit and bring back down the middle ball and proper hookers, but there again these players don't know what a proper hook is I fancy. I still have doubts re Goode and Ashton,so lets see what they can do. To date they haven't shown any development during the season and really need to show what they can do.

Posted 16:11 14th March 2013

heathy says...

If everything goes to form then England should win this at a canter. This is where we will find out where England really are. Let's be honest here and state that this tournament has not showed the best rugby. However, through thick and thin, England have played the most consistent and structured rugby and they have won all their games. Wales, by their standards have been poor and the rugby they have won has been against sides playing even more badly than they have. I completely know England had their blip against Italy playing their best game of the tournament but Wales v Scotland was diabolical. It was the worst game of the lot. So, both sides can't claim to be coming off the back of a great win. If we look at form then England will win this one easily. They just need to keep their composure and play the rugby they have been playing all tournament. The small tweak will be to finish off the good positions they get into. If England do that with a ruthless streak then Wales will struggle. Also, the England bench is far far stronger then the Welsh. This at times has made the difference and I can see this happening again. There is a debate about having every one of the England bench in the starting line up. For the Welsh there isn't. Their bench are the second best. However, can England cope with the pressure when it means something? New Zealand is a long way in the past and nothing was riding on that game. Find that form though and Wales will be blown away. Crack under the pressure and Wales will triumph. How far have this English side come? We will find out Saturday.

Posted 14:55 14th March 2013

Propmelsey says...

@mayhem ..... " Even with a dodgy pitch "!!!! Well said superstar ha ha ha x

Posted 13:16 14th March 2013

ArmchairGeneral says...

Chins tan: because every positive point for Wales is a negative point for England in a game vs England.

Posted 13:08 14th March 2013

jonnyblaze21 says...

@ GreenDip - Because Wales are playing against England every point they score v England will negatively effect the English points difference it is a total score based on scored for and against - they have scored more than they have conceded therefore they have a + total - for every score than wales put against then not factoring in the English score in response will effect the difference. Therefore - if wales score 7 that will be a swing of 14 in the English points difference....

I fail to see the importance of Croft other than his advanced skills in the lineout - he cant be up to this speed of play its not like he is as important or the team as say Ferris or Lydiate are to there sides.... Yes he is a neat player but has not reached any recent high form to warrant his inclusion in a game of this importance.

Should be a great game - Cant wait !!

Posted 12:37 14th March 2013

funkychicken says...

@ GreenDip....

Sorry to dumb this down but here goes:

There is a +14 points difference. If Wales Win by 8 points Wales get + 8 on their points difference (29 + 8 = 37), which means England would had to have lost by 8 points, (43 - 8 = 35). So + 8 pts and Wales win the Championship.

If it was a 7 pts difference it would mean Wales were on + 36 and England would be on + 36. It then goes to tries scored and Wales have score 2 more tries than England at the moment.

Hope that's clear and I haven't made a glaring mistake. If I have I'm sure someone will kindly point it out!

The Eng team looks strong, a penalty kick in the last 5 minutes is going to decide this game. I just hope it's Leigh Halfpenny's!

Posted 12:32 14th March 2013

jamesliveinhope says...

The only difference I would have liked in the starting XV is Morgan at 8 but clearly that cannot be.

Would've liked to see Burns on the bench instead of Flood, not because of last week but because I think that he adds something different to the back line. His place kicking has been a bit squiffy since his injury though so I can understand the Flood selection, whatever else, there must be a reliable goal kicker on the park.

Glad he is sticking with Barritt, who will give Roberts no change whatsoever, which will limit the Welsh attacking option too.

Posted 12:28 14th March 2013