´óÏó´«Ã½

I feel that the "Bergamasco" that Nick Mallett made in his selections probably caused alot of the problems within the England v. Italy game. With a proper scrum half providing good service, the Italians would have provided a much sterner test for England, and strangely I think England would have pulled through by producing a better display.

Scotland for me are still the best of the rest, but they need to get to 60mins still in touch with the opposition to actually believe in themselves.

Question for you though Tom - was Ireland v. France such a good game because it was two evenly matched "good to average" teams playing well against each, or do you feel that Ireland are really going to fire at last this season?

For me, it's the latter, and I fancy it to be a championship decider in Cardiff come March 21st for Wales v. Ireland..... barring France spoiling the party by spanking everyone else out of sight for the rest of the tournament

I'm not a huge fan of rugby union but have played league in the past...i watched the RU games over the weekend and uthe influence of Shaun Edwards was obvious. Wales had structure, not just a game plan, but a knowledge of running angles and plays that create opportunities and holes. England completely lacked this purposefulness (if that's a word) in what they were doing.

With Wales in the first half when Sctoland made half breaks you saw Welsh defenders commit man for man, trusting each others defence and therefore, limiting offload opportunities. In attack, Wales had a flat runner coming back into teh ruck - this 'block' move is common in RL, its an option for a pass but it holds defenders tight so that the actually pass is thrown behind the flat runner to a playmaker giving them time. Welsh players knew what, and importantly, why they were doing things, and they didnt execute it everytime - that was Gatlands comment, and he was right, if they get it bang on, against a side without structured defence, they could murder England.

Paterson left out of the starting XI? I think you mean starting XV.

PS

On this weekend's performances alone my Lions XV:-

15 Lee Byrne
14 Rob Kearney
13 Brian O'Driscoll
12 Jamie Roberts
11 Shane Williams
10 Ronan O'Gara
9 Mike Phillips

1 John Hayes
2 Jerry Flannery
3 Adam Jones
4 Paul O'Connell
5 Alun Wyn Jones
6 Stephen Ferris
7 Maryn Williams
8 Andy Powell

Bench of

Gethin Jenkins
Ross Ford
Donncha O'Callaghan
Jamie Heaslip (so close to getting in my team)
Chris Cusiter
Chris Patterson
Leigh Halfpenny

I'm not usually so pedantic but I had to pick you up on leaving paterson out of the starting XI comment. Other than that completely agree. I disagree with post #1 England looked devoid of any idea's, and for them mercifully Bergamasco did play 9 otherwise it could have been a lot tighter. There was just no invention. But I fully expect them to put a much stronger performance in next weekend.
Wales on the other hand were, for the first 60 minutes, immense. Byrne, despite the couple of kicks out on the full, and despite smashing his head into the turf was pure class. Whenever the high ball goes up I have every faith that he's there to take it, and then do something. The line break he made in the first half (I think) a case in point. Our scrum was on top form and Roberts was absolutely collosal. I think I had better stop now before I run out of superlatives for the boys. In the words of Jamie Roberts 'Bring on England'!!!

Don't get it really. Both Engalnd and Wales established large leads and then sat back and played conservaitve rugby while the opponent huff and puffed but whilst gaining a lot of possession they did not conceed many points. Professional victories for both.

We know what to expect on Saturday, England to spoil the ball as much as possible and see if Wales can handle the frustration.

Just hope Stephen Jones knows where the posts are this time around.

Much as I'd like to see Scotland spoiling things for Ireland, I can't escape the feeling that the Wales v Ireland match will be a Grand Slam decider. They were easily the best two nations of the opening weekend. Gatland, Edwards et al. have built a good side that play exciting rugby and are hard to score against.

Good luck to Wales for next week :-)

England: shocking. Scotland should fancy their chances.

Wales: justified favourites tag.

Ireland: might just come good.

In summary - no English players in Lions starting XV?

As an Englishman, as much as it pains me I think you may be right about the starting XV for the Lions. Our best player recently has been Delon Armitage and although impressive Lee Byrne is simply outstanding. Although I hate to admit it, I enjoy watching the Welsh play, particularly in the Autumn Internationanls where I felt they were unlucky against South Africa and New Zealand. However, why does Gatland always insist upon Jones instead of Hook. I always find Hook excellent when I watch the Ospreys or Wales and Jones seems one dimensional at times.
Again, in terms of the Lions, I would hate to see O'Gara at 10, hopefully Hook will come good or wishful thinking, Jonny make a decent comeback and find form. Please no Cipriani though, overrated and useless. Clutching at straws, I think that Lee Mears may yet be the standout hooker of the Six Nations, good carrying forward anf decent lineout at the weekend. Try not to shout me down too much about that, after the large amount of humble pie I have just eaten. Wales for the Grand Slam, unfortunately, looking forward to Wales v France in Paris, should be a cracker. Gods help us next weekend in Cardiff though.

i think most comments above are right.

i think wales will just steal it from Ireland -based on weekend performance. a great game not to be missed.

as an england fan -this weekends game really hurt to watch. Positives being - where points were on offer (through italian mistake or not) we did take them. This has not been the case in recent times.

I really want the following questions answered. The centre combination - tindall couldnt start i get that. But why noon? there are better players. Additonally, why is tait not starting? He injects pace and some creation. he is not the slip of a lad he used to be? please somebody explain why we continuously opt for dull players in the positions where we need the most imagination?

my final question - haskell - does he deserve a team spot on his ball carrying skills alone? Does the number of needless penalties he gives away not counteract this?

yours - truely dispondant.

#4 10 Ronan O'Gara

He had a horrible game. TBH Goode was probably the best FH at the weekend.

vidicisivandrago . . . quality name, but here's my justification on Englands performance.

Being a Welshman, I hate to admit this, but England do have quality players in and around the set-up. All it is going to take is one or two things to turn around and they will start fighting again.

Remember Wales in 2006 and 2007, almost exactly the same players as those that won the grand slam in 05, and pretty much the same core as last season, and this. Yet we were diabolical... not even close to winning games.

I feel that Harry Ellis is a very good scrum-half. Danny Care, also. Strength in depth there, because don't forget people like Wigglesworth and Gomarsall still performing well. Nick Kennedy is a massive plus for England, and you have strength in depth in the back row. Look at your backs - Tindall, Tait, Cueto, Simpson-Daniel, Geraghty, Foden (if at full back) all you have to now is get them in the same team

Just to answer superleeds3, Jones I think is a much more stable OH.

Hook is great for creating a dynamic game, the difference is Jones is consistent. Gatland has built a side that responds to the plays from Jones much better than those from Hook.

The second try from Wales was orchestrated by Jones and shows his real class at getting the plays right. Note that the game went quiet 20 mins before the end when the rang all the changes on 63' mins.

Is anyone else of the opinion that the mass changes was one wholly disrespectful to the opposition? and two, allowed Scotland back into the game?

I really hope Gatland doesn't do this against England.

gruffmeister -

i agree - jones= consistant and structured. the rest of the back add the flare - you cant have every player as a flare.

disrespectful - no - just resting his best team to massivley humiliate england next week....could be a long evening in cardiff.

see above for my questions re team selection?

Gruffmeister, you are so bang on the money with the wholesale changes, and also you opinion on the Jones/Hook debate.

I live with a mate, both us Ospreys fans, and Wales fans, but when it comes to it, I prefer Jones, he prefers Hook. He prefers the open broken play (he's a speedy whippet and plays full back) and I prefer a more controlled game (I play prop!!)

Hook's time will come.... so long as he's not ousted by Dan Biggar at the Ospreys

I agree with Gosportwelshman.

People always play better against better competition, and Italy's scrumhalf decision probably threw them by a mile. (in the wrong direction!)

I think England-Wales will be different because England and Wales always pull something extra out the bag when they're playing each other, a bit like England playing better against France, and like Scotland do against England. There's that rivalry and thought-process that says, they're the team we want to beat.

On that prognosis (and I was there to watch England do just that - admittedly not prettily - against France last year), I think Wales will beat England, but... it'll be a much better game than Eng-Italy.

England will only start winning when they have a captain, or a player who will take charge of the match. Borthwick just isn't cutting it for me, he tries hard, but you dont' get the feeling that he's directing the match. Cipriani is useless this season, but last year against Ireland - that's what we need.

Perhaps Jonny might just make it back in time...

Stephen Jones should start for Wales as they have enough flair out wide. See Jonny for England 2003.

The reason Wales, Scotland and ireland were always capable of springing an upset against England is that they were playing the old enemy. This does not apply the other way round. With Wales as favourites, I wish this would spur England to one of the great spoiling performances that we have seen from the Celtic nations, but I am not holding my breath. Wales to win by 15 - 20 points.

Hard to predict what will happen between England and Wales. England were rubbish in many respects - the only glimmer of hope was that when there were opportunities they were pretty much all put away.

Wales on the other hand - I thought that was their worst performance for a couple of years. A few flashes of brilliance, but where was the hunger, the desire or the brutality to put a team away. When Scotland scored to go only 1 converted try away with 10 mins to go, Scotland were going to win. They conceded a penalty straight away and needed 2 scores from there and ran out of puff and time - they chased too hard and inevitably knocked on or made mistakes. If Wales had given Ireland or France that many opportunities to come back in, they would have lost comfortably. In that sort of situation you just have to put a game beyond doubt and finish the opposition off.

Worryingly Wales couldn't kick either - with only a 50% success rate the game would have been beyond Scotland in the first half. The floodgates should have opened, but didn't. On that performance Wales won't win and it's between Ireland and France.

On the other hand if Wales get fired up and stuff us next weekend, they'll probably win the Slam again!

Thought the Ireland-France game was one of the best internationals I had seen in a very long time. Both teams were very impressive.

But definitely a three-way contest this year, with Wales-Ireland slated as the last game in the competition...

Some insightful observations on this blog, which is the least I would expect from rugby people.
Can't argue with the Lions pick without an Englishman amongst them, do think Sackey would make the bench though based purely on whose on the coaching panel.

England are bereft of power, pace and vision and I genuinely fear for them next Saturday.

Before this develops into a rant, I'm aware that we have 9 players out and confidence is low after the Autumn tests BUT Borthwick remaining in the team let alone as Capt is an affront to all 2nd rowers who can cross the gain line!

How can players who perform for their clubs in the cauldron that is the Heineken Cup become so average so quickly?

I fear that the Leicester Cabal Johnno is creating, is doomed for ignominy and further ridicule. Wells,Rowntree,and Ford need to move on ASAP.

My team for Saturday

Vickery
Hartley
Sheridan (needs to have a massive game)
Shaw
Kennedy
Croft
Haskell
Easter
Ellis
Flood
Geraghty
Tait
Sackey
Banahan
Cueto

Still lose but would lose with some pace and flair.

Good article, and it is fair to say that Wales, Ireland and France all put in good performances, with Ireland-France being by far the best game of the weekend (lovely rugby by both sides... will Ireland finally realise their potential?). England were less than impressive, but there are a few things to bear in mind. England, except for 15/20 minutes in the 2nd half, didn't really look like conceding... as a poster above noted, both England and Wales opened up big leads and let the opposition huff and puff for the rest of the game. Wales did it with more verve and nous, but a win's a win. Furthermore, Italy were truly awful and England barely had to get out of 1st gear and still ran in five tries.

I'm not suggesting England are going to win it this year, but perhaps judgement on their potential should be reserved until Cardiff next week. It was still a big win, almost all the chances were taken and nothing else was really tested. Three things need improving: the pack needs to function more cohesively (lineouts good, scrums, for some reason, not great, and I'd like to see some good old-fashioned brutality at the breakdown); LESS KICKING AWAY OF POSSESSION; and if Goode starts again, please, please keep a deeper line. It was far too flat against Italy, and with such a flat line and such conservative distribution, how are we going to know how good the backs are?

Here's hoping the Welsh get a bloody nose (or at least a good game) next week!

What did people think about the commentary during the England game. I found Brian Moore spoilt the game completely for the viewer with his negative comments and lack of respect for the players.

# 25: He does talk a lot of rubbish... he's kind of rugby's version of Geoffrey Boycott. Only for me he's slightly less annoying, so I can just about cope with the commentary.

Just don't make me listen to him over a period longer than 80 minutes.

My Lions XV based on the weekend:

15. L.Byrne (WAL)
14. R.Kearney (IRE)
13. B.O'Driscoll (IRE)
12. J.Roberts (WAL)
11. S.Williams (WAL)
10. S.Jones (WAL)
09. M.Phillips (WAL)
01. G.Jenkins (WAL)
02. M.Rees (WAL)
03. A.Jones (WAL)
04. P.O'Connell (IRE)
05. A.Wyn-Jones (WAL)
06. A.Powell (WAL) *i know he played at8*
07. M.Williams (WAL)
08. J.Heaslip (IRE) *when R.Jones not fit*

16. R.Ford (SCO)
17. J.Hayes (IRE)
18. I.Gough (WAL)
19. S.Ferris (IRE) *when J.Thomas not fit*
20. D.Peel (WAL) / M.Blair (SCO)
21. J.Hook (WAL) / R.O'Gara (IRE)
22. L.Halfpenny (WAL) / G.D'Arcy (IRE)

#25 for those with sky watching at home press the red button and go to Radio 5 commentary,lovely job. Informative and no moore!!!

Sorry but Brian Moore called it as he saw it. Some of the player's decision making was idiotic and he said so (Haskell's trip, the Scottish prop taking out Byrne for example). He gave us an excellent technical summary as to why the England scrum struggled, and he is absolute right about the England kicking game - brain dead is how I would describe it.

Of course he is not everyone's cup of tea but he has the knowledge to back up what he is saying. The real question is why isnt he (or better still the person who trained him) coaching the England forwards.

Bencedars, would you be Welsh by any chance? How can you name a squad "based on the weekend" and include players who weren't even there?

Go here all down in the mouth England fans and enjoy at some nostalgia to bring a warm feeling to a cold heart Admittedly it did all go wrong after this!!! but it is more than any of the other 6 nation countries will ever attain!!

#30 i just suggested that if they were fit they would be in reckoning too. notice i did pick players ahead of them. just like you wish to see jonny wilkinson on the tour which honestly reeks of nostalgia and ancient times...

Jonny has had too many injuries to be considered; he is probably past it. I was actually comparing Stephen Jones to him as as safe bet. O'Gara too is a safe bet but has flair outside him.

When was the last time Jonathan Thomas played? Same as Jonny? A talent, no doubt, but cannot be considered.

Bencedars, posts like yours just really annoy me.
Rugby fans are always considered knowledgeable and unbiased.
You, unfortunately, just bring it down to a new level.

If i were Welsh, I'd be very wary of an english fight back - I think it's going to be very tight with a lot of errors on both sides. Victos will win by no more than one score. I would also be wary of the french - party poopers.

If I were Irish, I'd be cautious but optimistic that at last an underperforming squad of excellent players has finally come good under a new coach. Wales v Ireland looks like a realistic decider and I'm relishing the thought.

Not a vintage weekend of Rugby with the Ire v Fra game the stand out game by a country mile...

Also, if I wanted nostalgia, I would look no further than gareth Edwards...!

#29 The question is do I need someone slating 'my team' for 80 minutes? He's the only commentator I know who is so keen to degenerate his own national team. I don't recall Eddie Butler/Jonathon Davis destroying Wales during those dark periods (that would be every year since the 70's with the exception of your 2 grand slam years :-).
Rugby fans tend to be more enlightened about the game that your average footie fan and he makes a bleak day even bleaker.

#27 Bencedars an even and non biased approach to lions selections, well done ;-)

29 I suppose it horses for courses when it comes to commentary - now I know I can listen to Radio 5 I will definitely be doing so.

I just thought Moore sounded like a moany, bitter ex player that didn't provide any real insight into the game. The sort of stuff you can listen to in the pub.

I agree Haskell did something stupid, but insulting him is hardly impartial. Brian Moore was hardly a shining light in the disciplinary stakes!

Some excellent points on the whole, but I'd rather like to expand on Happy Hammer's chat about Jonno and his Leicester hangup: never has a truer word been spoken.

I was close to weeping with fraustration when Jonno confirmed he was keeping on John Wells as Forwards coach...he had the perfect opportunity to clean house and I can see no other reason for keeping Wells than jonno wanting to have a mate and his former coach as part of his team. Wells is entirely responsible for the utter breakdown in understanding and communication between England's forwards and backline. Even more sinister is the way that he undermined Brian Ashton's regime and expansive rugby philosophy with his own forwards based slow-ball power game, and his inflated sense of self importance clearly led him to believe he was the England head coach. I can only hope Jonno puts him in his place, as it is unlikely that the increasingly slippery Rob Andrew will do so.

the fact is that, especially with the ELV's, the leicester model does not work anymore, especially not at international level. In every game that England have lost recently they have looked sluggish, slow, and have lost the battle up front against the sometimes smaller yet always fitter and more agile packs of the southern hemisphere. Woodward always said england's success was based upon being the fittest team in the world: Why cant they hire back Dave Reddin? since his departure the clubs have taken over sole control of the players' conditioning, and England have looked and played out of shape.

Wells and ford have been everpresent in all of England's failures since the robinson era. They need to go.

Wales looked scarily good at the weekend. they never even got out of 3rd gear, and I cant see anyone beating them. and It was disappointing to see the same old Scotland: all the potential but none of the composure with which to fulfill it. Lets see the Evans brothers starting next weekto get a bit of pace into their game.

Foxy RWCs are like bus tickets: only valid on the day of issue.

I am English but I thought England were atrocious. Never can a team have won by so much yet played so badly - it was more like rugby suicide by Italy.

Brian Moore was spot on - England's kicking game was mindless, they had no passion, no aggression, no offensive thought or flair.

Based on that the only half decent England players with any chance of making the Lions squad are Ellis, Kennedy, Haskell, Easter, Cueto (if he cuts out his unbelievably stupid discipline problems).

Even then the competition is so strong that all of them are fighting for, at best, a squad place. If he plays out of his skin Ellkis might challnege for a starting spot - the rest will be playing for a spot on the bench (at best) or the reserves, morte likely.

I foresee 4 defeats now for England. I give them an outside chance against Scotland but none at all against Wales, Ireland or France. To be honest I will be watching the game against Wales much as I did the All Black's game - knowing England will lose but hoping it isn't too humiliating.

Superstar Jim,

Well said. parochial rubbish is not required, except to balance Brian Moore's take on his own team!

The Lions squad is a long way ahead and there will be plenty of time for people to stake their claim. The half back pairing concerns me a little, no real, world class quality at 10. Otherwise, strength in depth in most positions, particuarly at full back. Lee Byrne outstanding with Kearney a very strong back up.

I found myself yet again getting bored with an England rugby match - feel dirty saying it.

The lack of ideas was down to a lack to quality ball - I had hoped they had worked this out. They were so ponderous at the breakdown, not hitting a ruck with any purpose all game. Still it was a win.

Front row - Sheridan flatters to decieve (again)

Second row - Kennedy was a touch of class, Borthwick isn't worth his place in the side, pick the team then the captain (as there are no standout contenders)

Back row - Haskell is the new Moody - can't help himself giving cheap penalties away - another player not worth his place

Centres - Noon - sorry not up to it (living off some big hits in last years game against France

Back 3 - Cueto was very good, Armitage solid and poor old Sackey didn't get a look in.

Foden - I hope it was just nerves, as he was poor

I'm close to ranting here and I should be working (like most of you I'm sure) but along the mooro commentary and England failures is anyone else frustrated at the complete acceptance of cliches as a response from Johnno by the ´óÏó´«Ã½?

I'd like to think that the RFU and Johnno are accountable to us, the fans, who during these very tough times financially still shell out to watch dross and buy the skin tight tops. It would be nice if our representatives/voices at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ could express our concerns and frustrations in a way that actually challenged the beetle browed one.

Examples might include:

'That wasn't good was it Martin?'
Is their a failure with the coaches or the players?
How can good players for club become bad players for country?

Quite frankly the ´óÏó´«Ã½ is aggressive and as effective post match as Steve Borthwick 10 metres out ball in hand charging forward!!!

Simple solution - don't pay to wtach tripe! I wouldn't go near Twickenham at the moment if you paid me - too painful!

post #36 happyhammer....

you've not been watching the Eddie Butler and Brian Moore show for very long have you?

Brian Moore learnt it all from Butler!!!

Eddie Butler is the most pro-English Welshman I've ever come across, usually to the detriment of his own country! At least Brian Moore has a sense of humour to go with his "sledging" even if its not to everyones liking.

Shame really - in school I was always taught that two negatives made a positive!!!

Imagine putting Stuart Barnes in with the pair of them . . . . .

Thank you Gosportwelshman for putting it all back into perspective for me :-) Barnes would complete the picture!!

I do find it ironic that a sneaky, wind up merchant like moore is now preaching holier than thou material!

I wasn't fully convinced by Wales on Sunday and to be honest I think the thing one can learn from the first round of matches is that neither Italy nor Scotland will be winning the title. England do not look likely either but they just might burst at least one bubble of the remaining three. I accept that I am not exactly sticking my neck out but why should I at this early stage?

Positive start by Wales along with Ireland and France.

However will look forward to seeing Wales against an 80 minute team. Just like the Autumn they seem incapable of playing for much more than 40 mins before going to sleep.

Good posts here, informative and good discussion.

I dont mind Brian Moore, he is really harsh, but he is black and white. I do think they are only words and if he was a coach, they would soon turn into more patient remarks. "Stupid boy" might be "lacks composure" or some other PR term!
Stuart Barnes is worse, whenever I read his articles, he never praises the right people in my eyes, and generally only those who feature in Sky games. Watching the rugby club last week, there was Barnes, Greenwood and Dewi Morris. All have Welsh links but even after Shane Williams interview about his last 12 months, I counted 3 sentences about him and Welsh rubgy before back onto England.
Eddie Butler has an awful reputation in Wales for being pro-english, we just switch off to it now.
Bring back Bill McLaren for a one-off 6 nations!

Onto this weekends games, Wales v England will be close, Ireland look tidy with belief, Kearney is showing great form and BOD was showing something of his best. Paul O'Connell was class, so the big players are stepping up and that will put them close.

Cant wait for Saturday! Roof closed and turning up the sound to 11 (for you spinal tab fans!). Come on Wales!

Another stand out player from the weekend was Jamie Heaslip. He is beginning to fulfil some bold predictions about his talent and, currently, is theleading contender for the No 8 Lions slot, notwithstanding Powell's impact. The latter ideal for the bench to take advantage of tiring defences...

I've digressed from the rugby a little bit with my ´óÏó´«Ã½?Mooro rants. Just want to say to the celts with a chance for a slam, great rugby played at speed with skill and a smile. Enjoy your 6 nations, enjoy it but don't dwell or enjoy the paucity of England to much, a tournaments credibility rests on the competition for the ultimate prize and a strong England against Ire,Wal and Fra can only be a good thing surely??

My final predictions;

Ireland to lose at Wales and be deprived a fully deserved Grand Slam.
Wales to lose to France in Paris.
France to beat England at Twickers.
England to pip scotland and finish fourth.

Enjoy the rugby everyone and heres hoping to solidairy 'stuffing' th Boks ;-)

PS Has anyone else seen the photo on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ rugby union page.

Shane williams looking like he's being seriously compromised!!

Lions XV to start the 1st test:

15 Byrne
14 Halfpenny
13 Roberts
12 Henson
11 S. Williams
10 S. Jones
9 Phillips
8 Powell
7 M. Williams
6 R. Jones
5 A. W. Jones
4 O' Connell
3 A. Jones
2 Rees
1 Jenkins
Not based on last weekends games but based on the type of play to counter the hard S. African pitches!

Feels a little bit strange talking about England considering the blog was about Welsh strengths although I must admit some of the selections from Jonno at the weekend were perplexing to say the least. If we are going to stand any chance against Wales at the weekend, and I must admit even with changes I would make we wouldn't stand a chance anyway, something needs to be done.

Front Row- Ok so I'm a bath fan, but as mentioned in my comment earlier, (9) I believe Lee mears to be a potential Lions contender, rightly or wrongly. I would stick with Sheridan. Vickery is past it, and with the loss of Stevens I always rate David Barnes at Bath, not only as a scrummager but it open play. Perhaps worth a chance?

Second Row- Kennedy to stay, big problem here though. Shaw and Borthwick have had too many chances, its a shame Grewcock is injured, I always rate James Percival at Quins.

Back Row- I believe the back row is strong, although Tom Croft should start for Steffon Armitage. Haskell is a power runner similar to Andy Powell although less mature in terms of discipline

Half Backs- Ellis and Geraghty- No brainer, Goode makes too many errors and is one dimensional, Flood is a 12 IMO.

Centre- NOT Tindall or Noon! Flutey needs to impress soon or I would consider Jordan Turner-Hall at Quins, partnering Matthew Tait. The best English playe rin the 2007 world cup final- Matthew Tait

Back 3- Armitage and Cueto stay, and I would give Banahan a chance, he is quick, strong and athletic. Abendanon makes too many errors, with Foden on the bench. 15 looks strong for England in the coming years.

However, the Welsh have no weak links and I expect them to win by 15 points.

And superchristhe dragon, I had no idea Wales were going to play South Africa in the summer as well as the Lions, perhaps you should pick Gough instead of O'Connell so the plane can leave from Cardiff airport and make travel arrangements easier? Muppet.

How very generous of you to pick O'Connell. BOD showed signs of returning to his previous levels of brilliance and when on form, he is the best centre in world rugby.

Also Kearney, Hayes, ROG, Wallace, Heaslip....

My views from the weekend-

* Wales looked good, then eased off. They may be kicking themselves if a loss in Paris, and winning the rest, leaves them in 2nd place.

* The Wales England game is a big one for me- even when Wales impress, they only beat the big teams narrowly (see Wales vs England 2005, recent win vs Australia). I want to see Wales beating England by a good margin this time.

* Ireland and France both looked in decent shape. Scotland need to find form on a par with some of their play in the AIs.

* Ronan O Gara should not be Lions number 10. I don't feel he quite cuts it when under pressure, but excels when his team aren't being matched by the opposition. Having said that, S. Jones place kicking, for all the talk about his consistency, was poor. Those points on another day could have been important.

* Regarding comments about England- I feel that England's cupboard is not bare. It's just it's easier to complain about that than face up to the fact that the coach isn't up to it. As Gatland/ Edwards/ Howley have shown, you don't need some talisman as coach, you need someone who can bring a plan to the game, and just get your team playing rugby, and working hard.

supaleeds3 that is a briliant idea! then the tour party would be alot more fun withought the so called 'champers an hampers' brigade in toe!

Whose coat is that jacket?

Wales will come out and play against england, breaking the gain line with almost every phase of play. Jonno will realise this and make the mistake of trying to play noon at OC again. Trying to inject physicality to knock them back in the tackle. What needs be is to bring Geraghty into Flyhalf (even though his attemts of spreading the ball to the wing didnt always come off, at least hes got ambition) Retain flutey at inside (he's can do things when hes given good clean, quick ball. Play tait at 13 to inject some flair and swap sackey for Simpson daniel. Lets be serious, sackey just seemed uninterested around the ball, granted he didnt have much ball to see. Ellis at scrumhalf, ive had enough of danny care eating up backs space.

If wales lose to the french which is very possible, i can see the french winning their remainding games, it will come down to who can put the most points on the italians and add into the equation wales vs ireland. No grandslam - winners wales/ireland or france on points. ...unless england impress me :)

Wales were very very good but we knew that! I was impressed with Scotland, they almost turned it around in the last 20 minutes by really taking the fight to Wales with quick flat ball and attcking flair out wide. The Scottish winger made Shane Williams amd Byrne look very poor defensively and scored a lovely try.

England have a hell of a fight on their hands in Wales but Scotland showed that Wales can be beaten! If England compete at the breakdown and find a way to clear out the Welsh back row then they can put pressure on their vaunted back three who dont look as solid in defence as their reputations suggest. The muscular Sackey and Cueto will cause the diminutive Williams and Halfpenny problems if England get quick ball.

As always the refereeing of the breakdown will be crucial. Wales are the best in the Northern hemisphere at cheating at the breakdown (thats a compliment) - is it a coincidence that they have a Kiwi coach?

England need Dallaglio to give Borthwick some intensive coaching on how to "assist the referee" and pick a big powerful backrow to smash the Welsh off the ball and stop them slowing it up by lying all over the breakdown.

England can take Wales close on Saturday.

my lions xv

1. A. Jones (wal)
2. Rees (wal)
3. J. Hayes (ire)
4. P. O´Connell (ire)
5. A.W Jones (wal)
6. R. Jones (wal)
7. D. Wallace (ire)
8. J. Heaslip (ire)

9. M. Blair (sco)

10. R. O´Gara (ire)
11. S. Williams (wal)
12. J. Roberts (wal)
13. B. O´Driscoll (ire)
14. R. Kearny (ire)
15. L. Byrne (wal)

subs
J White (sco), Philips (wal), Patterson (sco), Henson (wal), Flannery (ire), O´Callaghan (ire), G Jenkins (wal)

As i see it there are only two teams to pick from Ireland and Wales. However, Scotland and England do have 1 or 2 good such as Jason White, Chris Patterson, Mike Blair and the Lamont brothers of old and in England Sackey, Ellis and if he gets back to his best after injury Wilko cause hes just a nice guy and can do the job when needs be also has experience in big games. Picking a captain would be hard but i guess it would come down to Ryan Jones of wales who im assuming is as good as last year even though he missed the last test from injury and O´Driscoll or O´Connell from ireland.

My starting Lions 15:

Byrne
Kearney
O'Driscoll
D'Arcy
Williams
Jones
Blair
Jones
Flannery
Hayes
O'Connell
Wynne Jones
Jones
Wallace
Heaslip.

This is purely based on last weekend. Remember, Wales were playing a poor scottish team whereas Ireland were playing a hugely talented french team.

On the whole it was a good team performance by the Welsh, for 60 minutes or so I thought we dictated the game. We then took our foot off the gas a bit and let Scotland back into it. The Scots have improved a great deal over the past twelve months and they may surprise a few people by giving France a run for their money this weekend.

Anyway enough praise for the Sots, back to Wales

For me it started to go wrong when we changed half-backs at the same time. As a consequence of this you have two players, playing in key positions who are not upto the speed of the game. It just doesn't make sense to me!

We also away a lot of possession towards the end of the second half. We didn't play to our strengths, which are keeping possession, going through the phases to suck in defenders before getting the ball out wide. We got away with it against Scotland but it will be a different prospect against France in a few weeks.

I predict the six nations table to finish like this:

1. Wales
2. Ireland
3. France
4. Scotland
5. England
6. Italy

Anyone agree/disagree

64. That should have said kicked away

Thought Brian Moore on Sat was about on the money.....which I don't normally! As for him being less diplomatic than if he were a coach, as I recall when I did something stupid on the field the response was "Donkey boy, 10 press-ups" so he wasn't so far away. As for Barnes and Butler being Englishcentric, there is no question about it - I try to persuade myself it is because their employers are more RFU than WRU but............

As a proud Jock, I thought that we were poor on sat. rather than Wales good? I would have liked to have seen our backs with some decent ball which was never going to happen playing our best back row in the second row? That caused us to always be on the back foot and gave the Welsh (who fully deserved to win over the 80 mins) momentum to carry the ball at the scots for 60 mins until we had better quality possession.
Mike Philips was always on front foot and still never got the better of Blair? And Peel didn't 'up' Cusiter arguablly scots 3rd choice No.9?

My Lions team:

15 Byrne
14 Kearney
13 Tait
12 BOD
11 S. Williams
10 S. Jones
9 Blair
8 Powell
7 M. Williams
6 J. White
5 A. W. Jones
4 Kennedy
3 A. Jones
2 Rees
1 E. Murray


E.Murray, The forgotten man after 1 game? Last week the best prop in the world, this week not even in the subs for the Lions without playing..? The worlds gone mad.?


No subs as everone is getting ahead of themselves.... including myself?

I also think Moore can be classed alongside Ian (proud scot, but I love Engand) Robertson, as well as the rest.
If you want a biased opinion, get moore on the case, think he mustve had too many head knocks!!
England were poor, but because of bad tactics rather than player power. Tait only sub? Crazy.

To "supachrisTHEdragon" that has got to be the most bias lions team selection i have ever seen !! there is supporting your country (which is clearly wales judging by the selection alone) and wanting players from that country to play for the lions but to have Brian O'Driscoll not in your team is an absolute joke !!

And to "TheSilverFox2 " i know england were fairly poor at the weekend but i cant see them finishing below scotland in the tbale !! Scotland are virtually incapable of scoring tries !!, there is not a hope in hell that scotland will beat england.

Its easy to get over excited by Wales' performance. The tries were clinical, and the backline 'fizzed'.

However, Scotlands brave capitulation hides the reality. Whilst Scotland looked for width, they were out done by the same gameplan from the Welsh.

They spend too long with 14men, and the scrum that you claim was pushed off the ball from 10metres out was in actual fact just hooked back. The Scottish hooker should be ashamed.

The defence was solid, solid as it needed to be - although Lee Byrne, good in the air and in the open, was decidedly asleep in defence. He was exposed for the Scottish try and almost embarrased by Paterson.

When you are given the chances like Scotland gave them, then it easy to get confidence. They had a comfortable day out.

The question is can England put on some pressure, plug the gaps out wide, and force Wales to be more creative.

Scotland forced nothing, England will hopefully make them think twice, and make them retreat into a defensive game.

That said - I can't see that happening.

England are Pants.

Wales by 20.

supachrisTHEdragon, if that were the Lions team - I will by a springbok jersey and hope they hammer the welsh.

Good luck to Paul O'Connel though.

I would agree with most people that France, Wales and Ireland look to be the teams to beat based on the first round of games. However, they could be a little misleading and maybe we will think slightly differently after the second round of games.

Wales looked impressive beating Scotland, but were they? Scotland were pretty poor and have consistently been challengers for the wooden spoon. Would the class side of 2009 really have put less than 30 points past Scotland and only won by a modest margin, which would have been even smaller if either of the two disallowed Scotland tries at the end had stood? Probably we need to see Wales against better opposition to know how good they are.

France were France. Expected to beat Ireland they never looked likely to get on level terms and were somewhat flattered to finish as close as they did. Ireland, in contrast, did look awesome.

The England-Italy match was so awful that one doesn't know what to think. England have a habit of playing down to the level of the opposition: witness their diabolic display against the USA in the last World Cup, a prelude to getting to the World Cup final. However, England have been unifornly awful in their last few matches except for a spell against the Pacific Islanders. Will England play better when faced by Wales? I wouldn't put it past them.

So, the main questions are:

Are Wales and France as good as people believe?

Are England as bad as they have appeared to be?

I'll reserve judgement until after the second round of matches

Gatland is a class manager. The replacement of 5 players all at once was nothing more than a curve ball to his team. He learned more from that last 20 minutes by putting his players into a "new team set up" without warning, and see what happens to them.

Strength in depth is only available if you use it regularly, and Gatland knows that. It is not so much that we have a first team player , but that Wales have two or three first team players for each position, and that is how the team structure is utilized. The idea of one being "better" than the other is for the media and pundits like us. The Welsh team see it as a huge team effort, like ants building a nest, with each layer as important as the other.

Outside of the management, the other problem is that the Welsh fans expect much right now. A 5 point win over England will not do, and the crowd are going to try and shout them to a 30 point advantage. Something tells me that this could be a bit too naive and unrealistic. International rugby is a different beast to the regional sides.

England's recent problem is that they are trying to win the game first, and play rugby second.

They must learn to let their players express themselves and enjoy their play first. This is also gives the crowd value for money.

Hi Tom. I read this with interest after our four hours on the plane at Edinburgh. I think we were all very tired come Monday morning.

Wales need to guard against over confidence. Despite the good performance on Sunday I sense the rhetoric coming from the camp is too bullish. There's still a huge amount of work to do.

The lineout is still not where it should be. The lost points from the missed conversions and penalties could be a big issue against better sides. The team have to play for 80 minutes.

The team are work in progress -not the finished article!

'England's recent problem is that they are trying to win the game first, and play rugby second.'

Yes but then England always do that. There have been very few English teams in history that have looked to actually throw the ball about.

I think English fans need to accept that our strengths lie in our physicality, strong scrum and tactical game with the back play only coming in when the first three are going well. We should not be ashamed of it (yes it is boring) but it has resulted in playing in three world cup finals. A football comparison is that we are like Germany - efficient if not particularly exciting.

This England team at the moment are a bit naive and lack an efficient cutting edge. I like watching Wales, and I expect them to win by 5-10 points.

Will be at the stadium on Saturday - 2 Welsh girls amongst a host of Saes. We'll try to be nice to them.....

Its little wonder that the Scots dont 'play for the jersey' when the jersey itself is an embarassment. The Scotland that have made me proud played in navy shirts with a white collar and a silver thistle. That is the shirt that carried the blood, sweat and triumph of so many Scottish rugby heroes. It must be difficult to get motivated wearing the crimpaline waitresses outfit that our lads are being asked to model. They are lions led by donkeys.

Sportyfifelad - Ha ha nice one! I refer of course to you putting Tait at 13, assuming of course you are joking! Very funny!

Of course I would probably go with Jamie Roberts, Shanklin, BOD (you'd have him at 12 - interesting one that?), Tindel or probably even Bishop or Noon at 13 before Tait even gets near the side. Just wish Tait had been picked for this saturday's game - Roberts and Shanks would have crushed him like a bug.

Although, granted, perhaps the Lions will need a token Englishman to sell a shirt or two.

My lions 15 based on last weekends performances....

15. Lee Byrne
14. Rob Kearney
13. Brian O'Driscoll
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Shane Williams
10. Stephen Jones
9. Mike Phillips
8. Andy Powell
7. Martyn Williams
6. Stephen Ferris
5. Alun Wyn Jones
4. Paul O'Connell
3. Adam Jones
2. Jerry Flannery
1. Gethin Jenkins / John Hayes - too hard to decide

This is purely base don last weekends performances, I think that Nick Kennedy, Dylan Hartley, Nathan Hines, Gavin Henson, Tom Shanklin, Max & Thom Evans, Armitage all have very good chances of making selections providing good performances for the rest of the campaign.. any ideas?

I also think it will come down to a final day decider in Cardiff - where I think Wales will edge iut based on the experience of 2005 and the major fact that it is in Cardiff!!

my 15 based on the opening weekend

15 L. Byrne
14 R. Kearney
11 S. Williams

13 M. Evans
12 J. Roberts

10 R. O'Gara
9 M. Phillips

8 J. Heaslip/A. Powell
7 M. Williams
6 A.Powell/J.Heaslip

4 P.O'Connell
5 A.Wyn-Jones (c)

3 A. Jones
2 J.Flannery
1 G.Jenkins

Replacements

Castrogiovanni, Rees, Gough, D.Wallace
O'Leary, J.Hook, Halfpenny

In case you're wondering, yes i am welsh, and no english have been included, and only ellis was given a thought!this isnt down to me being prejudice, it's down to england being utter rubbish on the weekend!and i can't see my team including any of them again for the 2nd week either!!!!!!

COME ON THE BOYS!!!!

there is a rule in football stating that if not enough players are on the field-game over; is there the same in rugby ?