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Gatland's selection calls for England game spark Twitter debate
After Warren Gatland announced his Wales team to face England this weekend, there has been a backlash from the fans over some players he did or did not pick.
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In what looks to be the deciding fixture of the Championship, the New Zealander has reverted to a similar team that faced France in round one, albeit with some minor injury changes such as Gareth Davis replacing Tomos Williams.
This selection, however, has raised a few eyebrows from the fans. Many Wales supporters have questioned the absence of Thomas Young from the matchday squad. The Wasps flanker has been knocking on the door to start for Wales for years now, and earned his first Six Nations start against Italy in the last round. In what was not the greatest Welsh performance, Young performed well, and was a nuisance at the breakdown as usual.
The current back row of Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty are performing well and have experience in such a big game, but many feel that Young deserved a place on the bench ahead of Aaron Wainwright this Saturday. A lot of fans seem to sympathise with the 26-year-old, who is finding it very hard to break through in Wales given his success he has in England every week:
Also anyone else thinking to have had Thomas Young’s on the bench. Would’ve been harsh on wainwright, yes but Young’s plays week in & week out against the English backrowers and his track record proves majority of the time he comes up on top. Just IMO & I do rate Wainwright
— Nathan Lloyd (@NMarzy4) February 21, 2019
Quite a reliable starting 15 picked for Wales with plenty of strength and attack. But that bench is dire. No back 3 cover and really feel for Thomas Young not to be on the bench. I feel he's more than capable for this test.
— ??????? Geraint Jeremy ??????? (@gerz1987) February 21, 2019
Thomas Young is another one who should have made the bench
— Tomos Rhys Watson ??????? (@TRW91) February 21, 2019
No Thomas Young! I’d have him on the bench for sure.
— London Chauffeur (@CrownChauffeurs) February 17, 2019
I think Thomas young should at least make the bench with the stats like his every club game he will make a huge impact at international level of the bench ???????
— Neil Trigg (@Trigg47) February 17, 2019
No Thomas Young !?
— james edward ringer (@stingerginger66) February 21, 2019
Thomas Young gotta be wondering what more he needs to do to get in that side
— Ed Morris (@EdMorris6) February 21, 2019
Thomas Young overlooked once again for a big test match? Extremely pleased though for Hill and Davies who will add much needed experience to the starting 15 #WRU #WALvENG #SixNations
— Nathan Parker (@parkern1996) February 21, 2019
Warren Gatland really has no faith or interest in Thomas Young.. as Wasps fan I admit I'm slightly biased but honestly what does that boy have to do?!
— Guy Woodeson (@GuyWoodeson) February 21, 2019
Elsewhere, the selection of Gareth Anscombe ahead of Dan Biggar is another hot topic amongst Welsh fans. Anscombe is regarded as the more exciting option at 10, but it seems many would prefer the dependability of Biggar for such a huge test.
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Biggar’s kicking may be crucial against England, and the Northampton fly-half has a track record of kicking points under pressure.
This is what the fans had to say:
Anscombe over Biggar?! As for the bench…… doesn’t look great.
— GalDavies (@GalDavies1986) February 21, 2019
Hope I am wrong but I don't see Anscombe as a big game player. With no Halfpenny to keep the board ticking over Biggar for me was by far the obvious choice. As said, hope I am wrong
— RedDragon77 (@dragon77_red) February 21, 2019
Anscombe the weak link
— Dean Young (@Dean10Young) February 21, 2019
don’t think starting Anscombe is the right call at all but have to wait and see ?
— luc (@lucocarter) February 21, 2019
In what is traditionally a very tight match, particularly at the Principality Stadium, the bench will be crucial. The Wales fans do not seem to have a lot of confidence in their bench for this Saturday, and this could be one of the determining factors in deciding the Championship.
Watch: Wales head coach Warren Gatland explains his selections
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Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments