« SHIT/GOOD™ Ratings: RBS 6 Nations, Round Four | Main | RBS 6 Nations 2013: SHIT Team Of The Tournament »
RBS 6 Nations MASSIVE Preview: Wales vs England, Millennium Stadium, Saturday 17:00
Steve Walsh photographed on a trip to Caernarfon Castle today
Here it is, the match we all wanted, el grande chorizo, y selsig mawr, Wales vs England to decide the 2013 Six Nations Championship.
This match up is soul quickening enough, but when you consider that standing astride it at kick-off time like the Colossus Of Rhodes will be the Golden God Of Majestic Justice, the Beard of Beautifulness, the Face That Launched A Thousand Knickers, the Tousle Haired IRB Botherer, You Want To Be Him But You Can't - Steve "Which Camera?" Walsh, then it takes on an illustriousness that is difficult to fathom.
But, the blog has a tradition of attempting to explain the unfathomable - Jamie Noon's international career, for example, and Marc Lievremont's team selections - and so here is our preview.
Assuming that both teams can shake themselves out of the trance induced by Steve Walsh's dark, hypnotic eyes, then Wales should win this by the 8 points they need to take the title. After a slow start, the home team have found their solid forward platform and a great hooker in Hibbard, a mean defence that hasn't conceded a try in five hours of rugby, and in Leigh Halfenny a kicker and a fullback who dispels doubt from the tee and the back. Oh, and they're at home.
England, on the other hand, have been solid, but are still lumpen behind the pack. Moreover, even up front they have a back row that is very light on ball carriers, still no consistent performer at hooker, a flaky loose head, and not forgetting an inside centre that has the craft of a bowl of Angel Delight. Defending in an organised way and winning penalties in kickable areas will not be enough in Cardiff.
Wales will score a couple of tries, England won't, and Halfpenny will match Farrell in place kicks.
B&M Prediction: Wales by 10
Spotter's Badge: Tom Croft once again tanding in the 13 channel in attack, for the sixth time.
TEAMS
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Blues); Alex Cuthbert (Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Blues), George North (Scarlets); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Bayonne); Gethin Jenkins (capt, Toulon), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) Ian Evans (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Toby Faletau (Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Bath), Scott Andrews (Blues), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Lloyd Williams (Blues), James Hook Perpignan), Scott Williams (Scarlets).
England: A Goode (Saracens); C Ashton (Saracens), M Tuilagi (Leicester), B Barritt (Saracens), M Brown (Harlequins); O Farrell (Saracens), B Youngs (Leicester); J Marler (Harlequins), T Youngs (Leicester), D Cole (Leicester), J Launchbury (Wasps), G Parling (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), T Wood (Northampton).
Replacements: D Hartley (Northampton), D Wilson (Bath), M Vunipola (Saracens), C Lawes (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), D Care (Harlequins), T Flood (Leicester), B Twelvetrees (Gloucester).
Tweet
Why not subscribe to Blood and Mud? You can get all our updates fresh in your inbox via email and add us to your favourite feedreader. You can also follow us on Twitter.
Like this this post? Why not like bloodandmud.com on facebook and tell your friends?
March 15, 2013 in England, Six Nations, Wales | Permalink
