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Na it's not that, I dislike both of you equally.
Roberts has been off form and looked on a par with Barritt who has been on top form, Roberts has more potential so take him.
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2013 British and Irish Lions
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Na it's not that, I dislike both of you equally.
Roberts has been off form and looked on a par with Barritt who has been on top form, Roberts has more potential so take him.
Ospreylian
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I really don't think Scott will be a contender, he hasn't shown anything in attack and therefore Barritt is ahead of him because Barritt is a better defender. Neither player is much of an attacking threat, but Barritt has the edge. Same with Roberts - better defence than Scott so is higher in the pecking order. There are no stand-out inside centres obviously, so potentially putting O'Driscoll at 12 could work. He has great distribution, spots gaps easily, and offloads and has a great passing game. O'Driscoll with Tuilagi outside him could work well, I just wouldn't have Tuilagi at 12 and O'Driscoll at 13. The ball would rarely get to O'Driscoll because Tuilagi, in the second receiver channel, would take it into contact too often without getting it out O'Driscoll.
Ah, a potential I forgot about is Twelvetrees, but I would love to see Tuilagi AND O'Driscoll because I think they provide something completely different to each other.
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Scott has got one try and nearly got others, he attacked extremely effectively against England, at times, and Italy but he's being made to look worse by Lamont in my opinion. His defence vs Ireland was very good and he basically shut O'Driscoll out of the game, I'm not sure if he was at fault for either of Marshall's line breaks but Scotland were all over the place at the start of that game. He defended well again yesterday and showed he can kick if it's needed, I think he's very underrated and considering there's been no standout 12 he could be worth a shot.
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Our options at centre are pretty poor tbh.
Roberts - Off form apart from his defence, which is excellent, as good as Barrit's imo.
Davies - Can't pass.
Barritt - Good defender, that's about it.
Tuilagi - Good but limited.
BOD - Honestly don't think he's playing very well, bar one or two nice touches.
Marshall - Shown some signs, but I think it's too early for him.
Twelvetrees - Not fully tested at international level.
Beck - Untested and defensive flaws.
Scott - Not of the required quality.
Henson - Too soon for him, unless Gats wants to gamble.
Scott Williams - Not good enough and won't pass.
Roberts - Off form apart from his defence, which is excellent, as good as Barrit's imo.
Davies - Can't pass.
Barritt - Good defender, that's about it.
Tuilagi - Good but limited.
BOD - Honestly don't think he's playing very well, bar one or two nice touches.
Marshall - Shown some signs, but I think it's too early for him.
Twelvetrees - Not fully tested at international level.
Beck - Untested and defensive flaws.
Scott - Not of the required quality.
Henson - Too soon for him, unless Gats wants to gamble.
Scott Williams - Not good enough and won't pass.
I'm with cmac - I like what I see of Scott and would consider him.
I'd take Marshall and/or Twelvetrees ahead of him, but that's because I am more familiar with the strengths of both players. I'd probably go with Marshall, as I believe his defence is better, but would be reasonably happy with either. I don't see a need for Barritt. What he does, he does very well, but there will be other very strong defensive centres on the tour - the slot would be better used trying to find someone who offers something more.
I'd take Marshall and/or Twelvetrees ahead of him, but that's because I am more familiar with the strengths of both players. I'd probably go with Marshall, as I believe his defence is better, but would be reasonably happy with either. I don't see a need for Barritt. What he does, he does very well, but there will be other very strong defensive centres on the tour - the slot would be better used trying to find someone who offers something more.
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I think both the Welsh and Irish centers will play brilliantly with the quick ball you'd get off the likes of Youngs or Care. Quick ball that you definitely won't get with Murray and that's a bit inconsistent with Phillips.
I know this will sound awful but I'm kind of hoping that Murray doesn't pull through this week and Paul Marshall starts for Ireland because if he plays well and we get quick ball the centers will have a field day.
See it is at this point you pass from the land of absurd to the land of talking absolute Tom Kite.
Healy has never been carded or cited before this incident. Ever. Consider that when you talk about calm temperament. Also consider that Healy's intent was to stop Cole from blocking Murray getting the ball.
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Sorry but of course a player's temperament is brought into question after an incident like that, regardless of his previous disciplinary record.
I don't think it will be held against him for the Lions, and I'd still have him as my first choice for the time being, although he is slipping with his performance yesterday not great.
In fairness, if you want to question Healy's temperament, the fact he was throwing punches in that first half as well makes it really easy.
Me, I think it's all pretty irrelevant - he's going on the tour, you'd have to be mad not to take him, whether he hits the starting XV from there depends on him.
Me, I think it's all pretty irrelevant - he's going on the tour, you'd have to be mad not to take him, whether he hits the starting XV from there depends on him.
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Not saying he should start after Healy's good form this season, and Jenkins good performance in Italy but ...
That hurts it really does. But I don't think James scrummaging against an injured and tired Ross is really anything special. He's done much more impressive things than that this tournament.
I've never got why people are so eager to put Healy down they may not like him but as a player I think it's very hard to find something not to like. It's incredible if he has one game that even borders on average he's slipping and Jenkins/Corbisero/James should start.
Someone who's unlucky not to be mentioned btw is Grant
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Why do you say that? This seems to be a common criticism - that's he just a one trick pony battering ram that doesn't nothing more than crash the ball up. But I disagree. That try he set up for Ashton against NZ involved him running a specific line/angle, handing off players, side-stepping and then delivering a perfectly delayed pass for Ashton. There are about 2 or 3 players in the world that could have done that. That's it. He's the only back in the NH that would get a consideration for a world XV at the moment.
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He's great at what he does, he's powerful and quick, but he is still a limited player, especially in terms of distribution. Very similar to Roberts in that regard. The try against NZ was more of an exception, and tbh it wasn't the most difficult of passes, just a simple draw and give that every professional player should be able to do (even if plenty screw it up). What he did that others couldn't was bust the line first up, and I agree very few players in the world have the ability to do that. He often doesn't even look to pass the ball, and this has been a criticism of his play all along.
At the moment, I'd probably have him starting because he's currently the best of a number who have similar flaws (Robert and DJ). I'd look to start him alongside BOD, even though I think BOD isn't in great form atm.
The criticism of Tuilagi is the same criticisms they were making of Ma'a Nonu in 2008. Fortunately, like Nonu, I suspect his game will develop.
Besides, even if he is a one trick pony, it's a very good trick. It's not like Mike Tindall ever had any more tricks than run hard and streight, and he couldn't run anywhere near as hard.
Besides, even if he is a one trick pony, it's a very good trick. It's not like Mike Tindall ever had any more tricks than run hard and streight, and he couldn't run anywhere near as hard.
Tuilagi threw quite a few nice passes in the Autumn. He mightn't look to do it that often, but his draw and pass is as nice as you'd please. Great offloader too, not that he ever has anyone to offload to in an England shirt. It's not Tuilagi's skills that are limited, it's his vision - maybe unsurprising in a player so young. Still a weakness obvs. It's improving though. But hey, who cares - most players are limited in some way. Tuilagi is simply good. The limitations are secondary.
Incoming!
Incoming!
Well I would have said BOD a few years ago. Maybe 1/2penny, but IMO he's not in the same league as Dagg.
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http://www.planetrugby.com/lions-09/story/0,25883,9817_8554191,00.html
Right, Pocock officially out for 62 months...anybody else think this summer's tour will be completely unfair ??...Australia just don't have what it takes to compete it seems, if they can win one game it would be an accomplishment...NZ and SA would be ready, but Australia this time around ?!......
Right, Pocock officially out for 62 months...anybody else think this summer's tour will be completely unfair ??...Australia just don't have what it takes to compete it seems, if they can win one game it would be an accomplishment...NZ and SA would be ready, but Australia this time around ?!......
Gutting about Pocock, but we're actually looking OK, there are a few young players coming through and if we can get a backline with Ginea, Cooper, Beale & JOC in it, we will be competitive. And I know we're only 3 rounds into the S15, but Brumbies are top and looking good, the Reds are also looking fairly competitive. I would still say the Lions are slight favourites, however.
Damn, that is a serious injury. That's over five years
.I think you underestimate Australia. Sure Pocock is gone but Gill and Hooper are all top clas replacements - and we can always hope the ARU try and get George Smith in some how. I'd wager than any three of those players would be better openside than who ever is likely to be put at 7 for the Lions.
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Haha, thought that myself.
As you say, Pocock missing is a big blow, but the Aussies have great depth at 7 so it'll just be a chance for one of the new guys (or Smith) to step up to the plate.
As you say, Pocock missing is a big blow, but the Aussies have great depth at 7 so it'll just be a chance for one of the new guys (or Smith) to step up to the plate.
Gatland was seen at the Salford City Stadium handing Dave Seymour a Lions jersey with 7 on the back...you're all f**ked.
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