Gareth Dyer's rugby union column

Who knew that players who give away too many penalties in club games will be heavily penalised at test level..

Any danger of Wales winning any possession?

Sadly this will be another mismatch in Cardiff. I wonder if the point of nadir will be reached today or next week..perhaps neither as there’s always further self inflicted lows we can create. Perhaps that’s the end of pro rugby in Wales.

Been pointed out before, England play the way they do because they’re actually not very good technically. If Root doesn’t cover it up then this is what you get.

100 ahead 9 wickets left half way through day 2. Lemmings following each other over the Cliff playing unrequired expansive shots. Does every scoring shot have to be a potential boundary shot? Low percentage 1s & 2s for a session, add 50/60 low risk, grind opposition down & out.

Desperate stuff now. Batsmen again have put the pressure on the bowlers who are serving up a load of ill disciplined tripe.

Aussie to win by 5? wickets? Watching England middle order wickets have little to do with the pitch & all do to with a complete inability to play any match situation other than their usual give it a lash.

Was always going to be whose fragile batting lineup can tough it out best. Still think if England just calm it their unit can outscore the Aus unit. Have to make hay whilst no Cummins & Hazlewood. Respect Starc, attack the others in a more pragmatic way.

Groundhog Day. 172 in 32 overs. Opener out first over.

Seriously tough economic times ahead for the UK..

Great to see Deaves in. Kind of player that won’t stand on ceremony and get stuck in.

When the grown ups take over I might reignite my interest in Welsh rugby but right now I see little point in trying to be a supporter of it.

Another example of our world class ability to ignore the fundamental problem and layer yet more unnecessary policies & red tape around it. We are a laughing stock.

Perhaps someone could show this to the Labour education ideologues to explain why one size fits all education is the biggest political crime of the last 50 years. Williams & Crosland killed our education system & pound shop politicians like Phillipson want to bury it.

..enough characters or professionals to be given that slack.

Next two weeks will be hideous. We will be beaten by over 50 both games. Anything better than that might hint at some semblance of an ID starting but there has to be a more hard edge to the prep & selection. It all feels too “nice” & these players aren’t collectively strong..

Take Tight Head. Question has to be asked why at least one of Wainwright, Warren, H O Connor, Assiratti (who has looked better tbf), Henry, Lewis, Coleman aren’t emerging as the main contender. First question would be their S&C levels.

I’ve long questioned what levels of professionalism are actually inherent in Welsh players. No doubt there’s good pros but base level? It’s why we can’t seemingly get players to develop from U20s to test in numbers we see elsewhere despite having a more concentrated playing base

Comes a point where the players have to show their commitment to being better pros. Can’t control a lot with this off the field shit but things like S&C are controllable. They have a platform to show they the guys who should be first on any contracted list.

the midfield press is disconnected. The ABs will run in 80 if that doesn’t sharpen up massively this week. The lineout malfunctions continue every game. Why? Other teams might do one a block where no one gets off the ground but we almost signpost it. Beard is not a caller