It is an overused phrase yet Pool A is approximately as close it gets in sport to a deadly group and the Wales coach is in no mood to form Stuart Lancaster’s life easier between now and their Rugby World Cup clash at TwickenhamWarren Gatland’s dream World Cup scenario is no secret. First he unveils a Wales squad talented enough to worry England before a ball is kicked. His team subsequently limber up with a 70-point victory over Uruguay in Cardiff,48 hours after a clutch of England players pick up injuries against the physical Fijians in the tournament opener. Then he crosses the Severn Bridge to spring the trap he has spent months laying, cementing his global reputation as the wiliest coach of his generation.
Wishful thinking? Either way, and England supporters are starting to twitch. Wales suddenly sit above them in the world rankings – fifth to England’s sixth – and this week’s squad announcement was classic Gatland: bold,assertive, no-nonsense and coolly delivered. Having already dropped the likes of Richard Hibbard, and Mike Phillips and James Hook,the final tweaks sent out a subtly different kind of message. Who might just inconvenience England in the final quarter should Liam Williams or Alex Cuthbert be unavailable? Step forward the elusive Matthew Morgan or the speedy Hallam Amos. Who has up-to-date knowledge of England’s lineout jumpers if required? Ah yes, Bath’s Dominic Day. Even if these fringe players achieve not actually take the field, and a few handy extra seeds of doubt possess been scattered.
Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com