Maybe Warren cant count

As far as the rules go, it's a website not a democracy - Hambo 3/6/2014

I suspect you are right. It will be utterly compelling viewing and likely some pretty turgid rugby, too. From a tactical perspective, it's going to be a game for the purists (it will necessary to understand and appreciate scrum-bosh-ruck-bosh to actually enjoy it). From the dramatic perspective it will be unbeatable, can't-take-your-eyes-off it-stuff.

Cole and Marler are absolutely key because the front row is Wales scrum weakness. Lydiate must be wetting himself in anticipation of England's midfield (although since the ball is likely to spend the entire match on the ground when England have possession and they're not kicking it away, you have to think Tips might have been more fit for the purpose.)

Too close to call but I still marginally fancy Wales.

Edited by sydtheeagle (24 Sep 2015 5.09pm)

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

He's a defensive organiser, and he's very good at it. The problem is, he offers absolutely nothing in attack. It's pretty pointless having two great wings, which we do, when you play a 10-12-13 who will never get the ball out that wide.

The problem isn't Ford or Farrell as much as the total change in tactics at the very last minute that the change represents. If you build your entire tactical plan through the warm-up games and first game based on, to use a metaphor, 4-4-2, then it reeks of panic and disorganisation if you suddenly, and for no apparent reason, switch to 3-5-2 for the second game, especially when imperfect as it was, the first game yielded a 5-point win. Bomber isn't so much changing out-halves as completely confusing his team. How are they supposed to have faith in a coach who doesn't know his own mind? How is Ford supposed to react? Farrell is stronger than Ford in the tackle, yes. He is not more athletic. Neither point on its own should be a basis for selection.

First, young Henry Slade may be our best centre of all. He is exactly the player needed at 13 to cover JJ. If Bomber isn't going to use him in the role he was selected for (and instead completely change tactics) then why is Slade in the squad? It makes the selection look incompetent (which, indeed, it was.) As for Burgess, nail...head. Is he strong? Yes. Is he smart? No. Not in rugby union terms. He has no instincts. He's not even playing the position he plays for his club (in his short union career). It's madness. Yes, he can run with the ball but not in a way that will have Wales quaking in their boots, although that's not to say that he can't be effective getting over the gain line.

The media are absolutely right. Most of the commentators have a far deeper knowledge of the game than their football equivalents. I have yet to find a serious rugby expert who thinks Bomber's selection is sensible. And as for pressure, well, if you completely abandon your tactical approach the week before a big game and ask players to play a style they have not trained for months for, that's where the pressure comes from. When the coach panics, the players do the same.

Those comments are slightly tongue in cheek. It's an awful selection though, as noted, for tactical continuity rather than individual reasons. Also, bosh (which is now our tactic...stuff it up the jumper rugby) is NOT the way to beat Wales. We already know that from past experience.

We (Northampton) have done really well in Europe, making the final of the Heineken Cup too. Much as I love him, I really wouldn't want to see Steven Myler at 10 tomorrow, even though he's done everything possible to prove his worth. I'm not saying Farrell isn't an international level 10. But he's not the right man for the job tomorrow, something Bomber has already implicitly acknowledged by building his entire team around Ford (until the start of this week.)

Coming on for 20 minutes against tired opponents is a very different proposition than starting. Farrell is arguably much better suited to the former role, when bosh rather than nous can evade tired opposition legs.

Tuilagi stupid? Well he does play for them up the road (Leicester)...so what do you expect? LOL

The bottom line is that Bomber, I say it again, has bottled it. Faced with a must-win game after a slightly iffy performance, rather than sticking to his beliefs and principles and his game plan, he's gone totally conservative, parked the bus, and taken creativity out of the side to replace it with bosh. Could England win? Of course they could, particularly in light of Wales' injuries. Either way, it will be a very, very close game. But they have thrown away their advantage and gone from clear favourites to, at best, narrow ones.

Edited by sydtheeagle (25 Sep 2015 8.32pm)

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

Agreed, Also don't get Samsung on the bench "because he won't last the distance." He's your best option and he's either fit or he's not. If he is, start him. Fortunately for you, the English front row is missing its best player (Hartley) and both our props are well out of form. The rest of the scrum, you're ahead. Still think Tips and the BreadMan would have been a better combo than Lydiate. God, how we need a fetcher. It really is a damn near impossible game to predict. Could go either way. Gats is a better coach than Bomber so if I have to stick my neck out, I'd stiil take Wales to shade it.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

On 5live tonight they suggested that actually Tipuric & Lydiate would have been the better combination. Essentially Tipuric paid the price for Warburton being the captain.

Why can't you lot just enjoy the thrill of the match when it happens instead of endlessly criticising the selections and worrying about who will win.

The coaches have selected the players now based on their best calculations of what is right having seen them play and train and knowing each player's state of health/fitness.... what makes any of you think you know better?

Besides which - you've done it to death lads!