The Official Rygbi Cymru Thread

[Ali Cadoo]

Ospreys Lives Matter!

[PlanetGlyndwr]

WRU needs a complete overhaul the out of touch greedy senile blazers need to be shown the door they are running welsh rugby into the ground.

I would love it, absolutely love it if the players came out in the media and said the blazers need to go.

they are toxic to the welsh game pissing money up the wall for awaydays with other blazers of the old boy's club just to circle jerk how good they are when the welsh game is in the gutter.

smfh

[P in VG]

WRU needs a complete overhaul the out of touch greedy senile blazers need to be shown the door they are running welsh rugby into the ground.

I would love it, absolutely love it if the players came out in the media and said the blazers need to go.

they are toxic to the welsh game pissing money up the wall for awaydays with other blazers of the old boy's club just to circle jerk how good they are when the welsh game is in the gutter.

smfh

[Theflier]

WRU needs a complete overhaul the out of touch greedy senile blazers need to be shown the door they are running welsh rugby into the ground.

I would love it, absolutely love it if the players came out in the media and said the blazers need to go.

they are toxic to the welsh game pissing money up the wall for awaydays with other blazers of the old boy's club just to circle jerk how good they are when the welsh game is in the gutter.

smfh

The pro game would need to fail completely for this to happen

[frodder]

The Ospreys back 3 looked good. That's where the positives just about ended

[penguin]

I don't like the balance of the Ospreys backrow - it's basically three blindsides. Griffiths, Lydiate and Evans...with Cracknell to change it up and offer another blindside. Considering how many good 7s are in Welsh rugby right now it's almost impressive that Ospreys have managed to only have 1...who is perpetually called up to the Wales squad anyway. There was no way to slow the Munster ball when they were going through the phases. They need to sign a decent out and out 8, and a 7 who is a real jackaller for when Tips is away.

Protheroe looks really good, and you can imagine that with Anscombe at 10 (if he ever recovers fully), Keiron Williams at 12, Morgan, Protheroe and potentially Dan Evans, North or Giles there should be real threat there. The pack needs to be more dynamic to give them the space. Protheroe and Morgan showed they can unpick good defences, they just need more opportunity.

Scott Williams looked dreadful yesterday - I don't see how he can keep getting selected playing the way he is at present. That pass into touch was a shocker - looked like the work of an old school prop rather than a guy who has played internationally at centre.

[penguin]

Decent article by Graham Price.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... n-19283680

Points out that if Hayward went because the defence wasn't up to scratch, why is Humphreys not taking more heat for the fact both the scrum and lineout have been abysmal? Couldn't agree more. Pivac may not be the answer to getting Wales playing a more expansive game, but we're sure as hell not going to find out if there is no platform.

[Theflier]

Decent article by Graham Price.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... n-19283680

Points out that if Hayward went because the defence wasn't up to scratch, why is Humphreys not taking more heat for the fact both the scrum and lineout have been abysmal? Couldn't agree more. Pivac may not be the answer to getting Wales playing a more expansive game, but we're sure as hell not going to find out if there is no platform.

You're absolutely right. Hayward must be seriously miffed tbf. We may have conceded 30 points or so per game, but you'd expect that from a tier one team if they had 75% of possession over 80 minutes. Not just the set piece, but phase play losing the ball. He's been hard done by for sure and is definitley the patsy for the pivacaust. The other two aren't any better, its poor all round.

[penguin]

Decent article by Graham Price.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... n-19283680

Points out that if Hayward went because the defence wasn't up to scratch, why is Humphreys not taking more heat for the fact both the scrum and lineout have been abysmal? Couldn't agree more. Pivac may not be the answer to getting Wales playing a more expansive game, but we're sure as hell not going to find out if there is no platform.

You're absolutely right. Hayward must be seriously miffed tbf. We may have conceded 30 points or so per game, but you'd expect that from a tier one team if they had 75% of possession over 80 minutes. Not just the set piece, but phase play losing the ball. He's been hard done by for sure and is definitley the patsy for the pivacaust. The other two aren't any better, its poor all round.

Yeah - hard for any defence with that length of time without the ball. Gatland-Edwards era teams did have games where they seemed to be under the cosh for really long periods, but they made teams work unbelievably hard for points in those periods and there tended to be a counter to that - efficiency in converting opportunities into points that kept us hanging in there.

The thing that underpins it all is that they look flat. I didn't see the Argentina game but the main thing I keep hearing about is the passion and intensity. With Gatland and Edwards they were always able to get them in that elevated mental state for internationals and I just don't see that right now. It's why I think we can turn things around (not necessarily with these coaches). It's the same players as before, with a handful of new additions, they just need leadership to galvanise them.

Oh, and bin Elias...if he starts again I'm going to lose my mind. Dee and Parry until Dewi Lake learns to throw or we patch Ken Owens up.

[Theflier]

Botham called into squad.

Sack all of the fuckers now, nepotism is rife

[Theflier]

So, to get my head around this, out of Wales' 6 best BRs, Cardiff developed 4 of them. Of the 5 tens in the squad since Biggar debuted, all are supplied or developed by Cardiff, we've supplied the most locks to this squad, Tomos' injury is the only thing making it not a 1-2 for SH, and the two best wings are Cardiff players. And every other position is stinking the place out due to lack of quality.

Why the fuck are we getting the lowest amount of funding?

Fuck off Llanelli, fuck off Pivac

[PlanetGlyndwr]

clutching at straws now if they are going to call players up why not release the ones who aren't getting a sniff back to the regions?

[Theflier]

Given we have an entire pack with Team wales, our forwards are doing a job in the river usk so far

[Theflier]

And that is why caps mean nothing to the quality of a winger. Lane is the best we have

[Theflier]

The long awaited debut for Teddy Williams, he'll be an 80 capper, calling it now, we haven't produced a proportioned a big man like that since AWJ

For all being 22 and under Hill, Thomas, Ben Murphy at lock and once again Domachowski really showed up

[Jeff the Bear]

Botham called into squad.

Sack all of the fuckers now, nepotism is rife

That's just bizarre. Is Ollie Griffiths injured (again)?

[penguin]

Botham called into squad.

Sack all of the fuckers now, nepotism is rife

That's just bizarre. Is Ollie Griffiths injured (again)?

No. And he has been absolutely outstanding in the games he's played recently.

I can only imagine that the Dragons players still being in lockdown means they can't be called into the squad just yet so wouldn't be able to train this week...if not then it does seem strange to me. Don't get me wrong, Botham looks a really good young player, I just don't see him as the next cab off the rank.

[penguin]

The long awaited debut for Teddy Williams, he'll be an 80 capper, calling it now, we haven't produced a proportioned a big man like that since AWJ

For all being 22 and under Hill, Thomas, Ben Murphy at lock and once again Domachowski really showed up

I've only seen the first half, and the highlights of the second, but from that Hill looks miles better than Lewis Jones already - really clever player by the looks of it. I thought your scrum was going to take a beating but fair play they turned it around after that first one. Also....Rory fucking Thornton! I've never said this before but he played really well. Absolute nuisance at the lineout, and the try as well.

Great to see Lane back and firing. Let's hope he gets a decent run now.

[Theflier]

I wouldn't call it bizarre, its not a scratch on playing James Davies, Botham has been playing very well and is as big as you want a 7 to be, similar stature to warburton. But at just turned 22, and his second season of pro rugby, he should not be playing international rugby. He wouldn't make the bench for Cardiff all being fit. There's hundreds of decent perfoming welsh flankers about. His name alone probably helped a fair bit

[penguin]

Sounds like Botham, Rees-Zammit and Sheedy all likely to start. Hope so - but I also hope Pivac picks a strong front 5...can't have Georgia sticking in the game like last time we played them because our scrum is getting pumped. Happy to blood some youth, but give them a platform.

[penguin]

Just seen WOL predicting this...

L Williams; McNicholl, Tompkins, J Williams, Rees-Zammit; Sheedy, Hardy; Jones, Dee, Lee, Ball, Davies, Tipuric (capt), Botham, Wainwright.

Very pleased to see Wyn Jones and Samson Lee in, backline looks exciting (particularly pleased to see Liam Williams at 15), but not sure about the balance of the backrow. I guess Moriarty and Navidi are still not fit.

One thing I would note is that with Wyn Jones, Dee, Tips and Botham, and to a lesser extent Wainwright, you have a number of genuine jackallers. Could see a lot more turnover ball to attack from, which that backline should really enjoy.

[Theflier]

Sounds like Botham, Rees-Zammit and Sheedy all likely to start. Hope so - but I also hope Pivac picks a strong front 5...can't have Georgia sticking in the game like last time we played them because our scrum is getting pumped. Happy to blood some youth, but give them a platform.

Unlike the game of 2017, it seems like he's headed towards players playing in good form. I'd much rather Mcnicholl at 15, Sanjay is great collecting high ball, but not a lot else.
BR looks solid enough, though SLH would make more sense than either tips or Botham

This was the team in 2017

FB 15 Liam Williams
RW 14 Alex Cuthbert
OC 13 Scott Williams
IC 12 Owen Watkin
LW 11 Hallam Amos
FH 10 Rhys Priestland
SH 9 Rhys Webb
N8 8 Seb Davies
OF 7 Sam Cross
BF 6 Dan Lydiate (c)
RL 5 Cory Hill
LL 4 Adam Beard
TP 3 Leon Brown
HK 2 Kristian Dacey
LP 1 Nicky Smith

That's a stinker of a team.

I'm not impressed with Hardy and J. WIlliams in the slightest, seems like caps for caps sake. Wainwright at 8 is a good call

In all of his 13 games for Cardiff, Botham hasn't really been a jackaller

[penguin]

Haven't seen enough of Williams to have a strong opinion - the small amounts I saw he looked decent, but the most impressive performance I've seen by a Welsh 12 this season has been Keiron Williams.

I don't care who we pick at 9, as long as they are told to move the f*cking ball - high tempo, no messing about.

[penguin]

As expected...bench is Parry, Smith, Brown, Hill, James Davies, Webb, Lloyd, Holmes.

Lloyd covering 10 is interesting.

[Theflier]

Bench is underwhelming, not sure how several aged and poor form players will help us, if sheedy rolls his ankle inside 10, we have an 18 year old playing, brave. How the locks have fallen.

[penguin]

Quote from Pivac

We’ve got the two best scrummaging props to give us a platform

Lee a better scrummager than Francis? Certainly I'd put his scrummaging above Brown and Lewis, but not Francis...

[PlanetGlyndwr]

Georgia ran us close under Gats iirc i wouldn't be surpised if they turn us over with this tactically inept clown show calling the shots.

[frodder]

Wales: Liam Williams; Johnny McNicholl, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit; Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Seb Davies, James Botham, Justin Tipuric (capt), Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Davies, Rhys Webb, Ioan Lloyd, Jonah Holmes.

You know what, I quite like the look of this. Looking forward to see how the locks go. Half-backs is er.........interesting. Can we please put a bit of pace into the game.

[GogLais]

Wales: Liam Williams; Johnny McNicholl, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit; Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Seb Davies, James Botham, Justin Tipuric (capt), Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Davies, Rhys Webb, Ioan Lloyd, Jonah Holmes.

You know what, I quite like the look of this. Looking forward to see how the locks go. Half-backs is er.........interesting. Can we please put a bit of pace into the game.

"That's a very brave selection Minister".

[Theflier]

Wales: Liam Williams; Johnny McNicholl, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit; Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Seb Davies, James Botham, Justin Tipuric (capt), Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Davies, Rhys Webb, Ioan Lloyd, Jonah Holmes.

You know what, I quite like the look of this. Looking forward to see how the locks go. Half-backs is er.........interesting. Can we please put a bit of pace into the game.

Who does sheedy pass to? Jonny Mac could come out looking like a Turks wet dream in this game. georgia are shit, Wales by 45

[frodder]

Wales: Liam Williams; Johnny McNicholl, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit; Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Seb Davies, James Botham, Justin Tipuric (capt), Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Davies, Rhys Webb, Ioan Lloyd, Jonah Holmes.

You know what, I quite like the look of this. Looking forward to see how the locks go. Half-backs is er.........interesting. Can we please put a bit of pace into the game.

Who does sheedy pass to? Jonny Mac could come out looking like a Turks wet dream in this game. georgia are shit, Wales by 45

Jonny Mac, he's the most average of average poaches. The Scots are destroying us atm on that front

[Theflier]

Wales: Liam Williams; Johnny McNicholl, Nick Tompkins, Johnny Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit; Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Elliot Dee, Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Seb Davies, James Botham, Justin Tipuric (capt), Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Cory Hill, James Davies, Rhys Webb, Ioan Lloyd, Jonah Holmes.

You know what, I quite like the look of this. Looking forward to see how the locks go. Half-backs is er.........interesting. Can we please put a bit of pace into the game.

Who does sheedy pass to? Jonny Mac could come out looking like a Turks wet dream in this game. georgia are shit, Wales by 45

Jonny Mac, he's the most average of average poaches. The Scots are destroying us atm on that front

And yet he can still draw and pass at speed Sanjay or 1/2p could but dream of

[C69]

Dear God, I fear for Leon Brown if he has the misfortune of getting on the field before 65 minutes.
That front 5 looks very shakey and the backrow a bit flakey.
Botham ffs, where even is he in the pecking order 10th choice?

[penguin]

I started to write about how I thought our front 5 would be fine, but it would paper over cracks that would be re-opened against England...but then I thought, fuck it, I'm just going to enjoy the opportunity to see Wales play some talented youngsters and more than likely score some tries. I can save the doom and gloom for next week.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Sheedy at 10 (and Lloyd, although I imagine the game will have to be well won before he's risked), Tompkins at 13 giving us a line breaker and distributor in wider channels, Rees-Zammit offering pure gas, with the attacking threats of Sanjay and McNicholl likely to mean more running and less kicking.

A couple of days of optimism then I can return to worrying.

[tc27]

Ohh that backline will rack up a score after Georgia get tired.

[Theflier]

Good to see there's no vitriol directed at Johnny Williams' capping, he's not good enough, but you wouldn't want to see someone who's parachuted staright into the national team over welsh bred lads to be at the end of scathing personal attacks.

I wonder why he's not at the mercy others have been? Odd that.

[Theflier]

Ohh that backline will rack up a score after Georgia get tired.

Debatable, sheedys good, but he's not an Anscombe or Jarrod, he plays a much more 'allow others to thrive' game at Bristol. We've missed a trick without a ball player at 15

[penguin]

Good to see there's no vitriol directed at Johnny Williams' capping, he's not good enough, but you wouldn't want to see someone who's parachuted staright into the national team over welsh bred lads to be at the end of scathing personal attacks.

I wonder why he's not at the mercy others have been? Odd that.

Well we all know why someone like Willis Halaholo received stick when Johnny McNicholl didn't, and frankly you can disagree with residency as a rule, but fuck people who gave Willis abuse. Seems like a thoroughly decent guy and didn't deserve the abuse. Hope he gets another crack soon.

Bit different for the guys with a Welsh parent...and Johnny Williams does have the virtue of being born with the right name John Bleddyn Rhys Williams...JBR Williams. Good naming there by Williams senior.

[penguin]

Ohh that backline will rack up a score after Georgia get tired.

Debatable, sheedys good, but he's not an Anscombe or Jarrod, he plays a much more 'allow others to thrive' game at Bristol. We've missed a trick without a ball player at 15

Not sure why you're putting down Sanjay as a ball player - he may not be Charles Piatau, but he's a more than useful counter-attacking threat. Tough to put down, beats the first man often and his natural instinct is to attack.

[Theflier]

Ohh that backline will rack up a score after Georgia get tired.

Debatable, sheedys good, but he's not an Anscombe or Jarrod, he plays a much more 'allow others to thrive' game at Bristol. We've missed a trick without a ball player at 15

Not sure why you're putting down Sanjay as a ball player - he may not be Charles Piatau, but he's a more than useful counter-attacking threat. Tough to put down, beats the first man often and his natural instinct is to attack.

In terms of fielding a kick and breaking the rushing defence he's one of the best. Sadly, even for the best, those opportunities only comes about every 5-10 games, he can't link up in attack well, he doesn't have the ability to hold the ball in two hands well enough to fool defenders. For all his shitness eveyrwhere else, Mcnichol does this a lot better, makes any attack far easier if its not all off 10