France vs Wales

[TRF_Cymro]

We've managed to back ourselves into a corner regarding the 10 shirt in Wales. Stephen Jones has been great for Welsh rugby, and during '09 was probably playing the best rugby of his career, but his performances have been slowly getting worse, and it got to a stage where panic seemed to set in somewhat. Is he the man to wear the influential 10 jersey in the WC, considering he wasn't really bringing all that much to the table? Even if he is, we had to find a real replacement in case of injury etc. Biggar was seen as this replacement, but he seemed to fall to pieces and was simply unable to make the step up necessary. Everyone, including Gatland and myself remembered back to '08 when James Hook was being talked about as the next Dan Carter and probably got a little carried away. I still feel that Hook would probably be our best option long term, if he was playing regularily for the Ospreys. But is there any chance of that happening between now and the WC, especially considering he's off to France next year? There'd be no benefits of the Ospreys playing him there, so the answer to that is an almost certain no! Do we then continue playing Hook at 10 during the WC warm up games and hope he finds his feet by the WC? Unless Steve Jones finds his top form again, we're suddenly in a bloody mess!!!!

The options are: Stephen Jones, James Hook, Dan Biggar, Rhys Priestland, Nicky Robinson, Ceri Sweeney, Matthew Morgan.

Dan Biggar isn't ready, and might never be. Mattew Morgan is out of the question imo, doesn't matter if everyone dreams of him getting chucked in at the deep end and setting the world on fire, it won't happen! Cari Sweeney has never been up to it. That leaves Steve Jones, Hook, Priestland and Robinson. Out of those four, Priestland and Robinson haven't been given any opportunities recently, so it would be a gamble using them, but they probably offer the best all round game of them all (bar kicking at goal, but Hook and Halfpenny can do that). I think Jones will probably be our 10 in the WC. He may not offer much attacking threat, but as long as he can sort out his kicking from hand he's the best option. For me it's quite obvious now that he's not the reason we're not creating, it's stemming from the ruck / scrum half, and the lack of attacking gameplan outside him. It seems that Hook is needed more at centre, sorry James, but you're probably gonna have to move again!

Forgot to mention Jason Tovey

Ceri has moved the Blues backline well this last couple of seasons and has relished the competition that Norton-Knight and Parks has brought. Dull I think you are like most people who just because Jones has no pace anymore cannot bring players into the game, but on Saturday in that short period Jones brought the backs more into the game. As for attacking threat think thats a poor excuse, Jones can take the ball up to the line and can tackle, his kicking from hand is not what it once used to be but its still good.

People are still defending Hook and making excuses for him, but are quick to point our Jones's faults but never Hook's.

 

[Peat]

I really liked what I saw of Tovey last Friday... save for his goal kicking, which I loved, as it was shite.

If Stephen Jones is incapable of bringing players onto the ball or running an attacking backline, then clearly Merlin the f**king Magician is working behind the scenes at the Scarlets as thats one very impressive trick.

 

[TVH11]

As much as everyone would like to see hook light the pitch on fire at 10 i'm afraid I have to agree with everyone on our 10 situation. Even after the scotland game, i still can't see 10 being Hook's position during the WC. I think Stephen Jones will probs be our 10 (although he's looked lethargic and out of confidence) he's probably our safest bet. Yes he's not an attacking threat, but our back-line hasn't really been on fire with Hook at 10. There's the whole "tactic" of moving the play all in one direction till theres no space (and then do the same in the opposite direction), which if it actually is a "tactic" needs to change. We've all ranted on here along with the BBC "pundits" on scrum V that the players need to man up and just play off the cuff (cause this so called tactic does not work). We have enough experienced players in our back-line and forwards for that matter to say when things are working or not, and change things. If Hook is to be our 10 at the world cup, then i feel that the O's have to play him at 10, and not screw about with where to play him. To be fair Biggar aint played poorly during the 6 nations for the o's, so to drop him would be a bit unfair - saying that i do feel that Webb should be given a chance at 9 in some of the "bigger" games ahead of Philips (his distribution is so much quicker than Philips's). Seeing as the ospreys are losing so many players next season i feel they should now start to blood through some of the youngsters (especially Mathew Morgan - Who seems to be a great attacking threat at 10; but as seen not the best tackler). Ah well, the countdown to the world cup has began

 

[dullonien]

Forgot to mention Jason Tovey

Ceri has moved the Blues backline well this last couple of seasons and has relished the competition that Norton-Knight and Parks has brought. Dull I think you are like most people who just because Jones has no pace anymore cannot bring players into the game, but on Saturday in that short period Jones brought the backs more into the game. As for attacking threat think thats a poor excuse, Jones can take the ball up to the line and can tackle, his kicking from hand is not what it once used to be but its still good.

People are still defending Hook and making excuses for him, but are quick to point our Jones's faults but never Hook's.

Of course, Tovey aswell, oops. Again though, it's just a little too late now to test him out before the WC. The same goes for Priestland really.

The problem seems to be that we simply don't have a complete player at the moment. They all have their flaws. Jones' distribution is very good and I agree that he brought Roberts into the game well when he came on against France. However, his lack of pace and running threat means that defenses can almost forget about him, and drift onto the centres instead, knowing that their backrow will get across before Jones does any majour damage. This might still be our best option, but it's not ideal. I also feel that his kicking from hand is certainly not still good, it's been terrible for some time. It doesn't halp that Wales' gameplan has been a largely kicking one, changing that could help alot.

Hook certainly has his faults, and at the moment they outweigh Jones'. He makes too many mistakes as demonstrated on Sat, and he seems incapable of getting the centres into the game atall. In the end, the fact that he will probably see next to no time at 10 for the Ospreys to improve upon these weaknesses means that it'd be a massive risk to play him at 10 for the WC.

Ceri Sweeney has done well at the Blues, but he's only really retained the Blues 10 shirt due to the **** poor competition brought in, in the form of Knight and Parks. If Nicky Robinson was still there, he wouldn't be getting much of a look-in. And that brings us to Nicky. Great distribution which can unlock defenses, a decent running game, very good kicking from hand and adequate defense. The only thing really missing from his game is his kicking at the posts which tends to let him down on occasion, and can effect the rest of his game. The Blues showed that if you take that burden off his shoulders, he can be an ideal o/h for an attack minded team. If Hook was playing centre, and with Halfpenny on the wing, there'd be no need for Robinson to have the kicking duties. Again though, are we too close to the WC to be chopping and changing our 10?

@Peat. There's a big step up from Magners to international. But you're point about Jones fitting in nicely within an attacking backline at the Scarlets does hold water.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Wales' next game is against the Baa-Baas in June, in which I think we should go with a more attacking backline, both to suit the game and give some players gametime, such as-

9. Dwyane Peel/Tavis Knoyle
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Shane Williams/Will Harries
12. Jonathan Davies
13. James Hook
14. George North
15. Morgan Stoddart/Martyn Thomas

Shane is probably something of a risk, as we can't have him getting injured, so I'd like to see Harries get one final chance before the World Cup, and the wide open game would suit him well. The others (Possibly besides Knoyle/Peel when Rees is back) are almost guarenteed a place in the preliminary squad. Priestland plays what's in front of him, rather than offering 'Control' (Stephen, Tovey, Biggar) or 'Flair' (Hook, although he hasn't really shown that this year).

The only real question mark is over Fullback, and as said, I'd like to see Thomas play. However, Stoddart also needs to be built up as another option at 15, as we really need him. He'll probably be playing there for the Scarlets now North and Lamont are up to full fitness on the wings.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Wales' next game is against the Baa-Baas in June, in which I think we should go with a more attacking backline, both to suit the game and give some players gametime, such as-

9. Dwyane Peel/Tavis Knoyle
10. Rhys Priestland
11. Shane Williams/Will Harries
12. Jonathan Davies
13. James Hook
14. George North
15. Morgan Stoddart/Martyn Thomas

Shane is probably something of a risk, as we can't have him getting injured, so I'd like to see Harries get one final chance before the World Cup, and the wide open game would suit him well. The others (Possibly besides Knoyle/Peel when Rees is back) are almost guarenteed a place in the preliminary squad. Priestland plays what's in front of him, rather than offering 'Control' (Stephen, Tovey, Biggar) or 'Flair' (Hook, although he hasn't really shown that this year).

The only real question mark is over Fullback, and as said, I'd like to see Thomas play. However, Stoddart also needs to be built up as another option at 15, as we really need him. He'll probably be playing there for the Scarlets now North and Lamont are up to full fitness on the wings.

As soon as I saw Jon Davies and the suggestion of Morgan Stoddart at 15, I went outside and cried a little.

Our next best 10 is either Nicky Robinson / Jason Tovey regardless of what people say about Preistland. The boy is not good enough end of. If we he would have played during the 6 Nations. Obviously there was a reason he never came on during the 6 Nations.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Our next best 10 is either Nicky Robinson / Jason Tovey regardless of what people say about Preistland. The boy is not good enough end of. If we he would have played during the 6 Nations. Obviously there was a reason he never came on during the 6 Nations.

Yup:

I really really think Priestland is good enough - if not at flyhalf then at 15 - looked good throughout their HEC campaign
If Stoddart can hold down a starting and then bench spot throughout the 6N then Priestland definitely deserves a chance

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Yup:

I really really think Priestland is good enough - if not at flyhalf then at 15 - looked good throughout their HEC campaign
If Stoddart can hold down a starting and then bench spot throughout the 6N then Priestland definitely deserves a chance

When he went back to the Scarlets during the 6 Nations he lost some of his form which was disappointing. I think he is a better 15 than a 10, but then again I'm not picking the side.

 

[Peat]

Whats the possibility of George North ending up at 13?

 

[TrueSlawter]

Priestland is strong at 10 and 15 really, I'd rather focus him at 15 to build him to be the next 15 for Wales as we have enough 10's tbh with Hook, Jones, Biggar (hate to say it) and Morgan potentially coming through. As for north at 13 he's played there before so its a possability for next season tbh

 

[Draggs]

For the Barbarians. Looking for a few options, including some 'different' selections.
01 Jenkins
02 Hibbard
03 A. Jones
04 Charteris/I. Evans
05 B. Davies
06 Lydiate
07 Tipuric (Different style than Sam0
08 R. Jones/Faletau

09 Peel
10 Hook (Need to try this halfback pairing)
11 Harries (Good pace, getting back on form)
12 Roberts
13 J. Davies (Roberts 12, Davies 13- Warren)
14 North
15 Halfpenny/M. Thomas

16 Owens
17 P. James/Mitchell/Lewis-Roberts
18 Charteris/I. Evans/AW. Jones
19 McCusker
20 R. Rees
21 Priestland/Tovey
22 Stoddart

 

[TRF_RC]

I condone ANYONE who is encouraging the re-emergence of Dwayne Peel starting back an scrum half ahead of Mike Phillips. Then again, i condone ANYONE who is encouraging any scrum half to start at 9 who doesn't: -
- Take an eternity to get his hands on a recycled ball in the ruck
- Take an eternity to get the aforementioned ball out and in the hands of attacking players quickly
- Waddle a few steps before passing the ball
- Throw the ball a few metres ahead of the intended player
- Throw the ball at the intended player's feet
- Kick aimlessly down the field with shitty box kicks that either go too far and not high enough or up a mile but only 5m down the field
- Think he's the forth backrower FAR TOO OFTEN

Yes, i could have made this whole thread shorter by just saying, "Don't start Mike Phillips" but his downfalls, throughout this 6N especially, have really ****** me off.

 

[Draggs]

For the Barbarians. Looking for a few options, including some 'different' selections.
01 Jenkins
02 Hibbard
03 A. Jones
04 Charteris/I. Evans
05 B. Davies
06 Lydiate
07 Tipuric (Different style than Sam)
08 R. Jones/Faletau

09 Peel
10 Hook (Need to try this halfback pairing)
11 Harries (Good pace, getting back on form)
12 Roberts
13 J. Davies (Roberts 12, Davies 13- Warren)
14 North
15 Halfpenny/M. Thomas

16 Owens
17 P. James/Mitchell/Lewis-Roberts
18 Charteris/I. Evans/AW. Jones
19 McCusker
20 R. Rees
21 Priestland/Tovey
22 Stoddart

Hook will be at his wedding for this match, so who should play 10? Wellies? I'd give Tovey or Priestland a shot, and I don't think Gatland will go with Biggar. Could give Henson an opportunity, as he thinks that he is an outside half.
Warburton is injured for six weeks and the management might not want to risk him. I'd still go with Tipuric, as he is a bit more 'Martyn Williams' than Warburton.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I don't think Jones should start at 10 just because everyone knows what he can do in the shirt,
Should try someone else, because what if one of Hook/Jones gets injured, then who do you bring in?
Be it Robinson, Tovey, Priestland or even Biggar someone needs to be on the radar at FH

 

[Draggs]

I don't think Jones should start at 10 just because everyone knows what he can do in the shirt,
Should try someone else, because what if one of Hook/Jones gets injured, then who do you bring in?
Be it Robinson, Tovey, Priestland or even Biggar someone needs to be on the radar at FH

Much like Rob Howley, I had forgotten about Robbo. I'd give him a shot, he has been playing well lately, and not as 'untested' as Tovey or Priestland. Matthew Morgan over Dan Biggar please.

 

[dullonien]

Yeh, someone new should be tried. Stephen Jones will likely still be our 1st choice come the WC, but he's a player than can slot straight back in with relative ease. We know what he offers, so these warm-up tests should be used to work out who's our 2nd / 3rd choice (depending on where Hook is played). I think Nicky Robinson is our best option considering the short amount of time before the WC kicks off. Priestland would be the other option. Priestland is a good option on the bench to cover 10 and 15, but he needs exposure at both positions before that can be seen as a possibility. Tovey's time will come, but it isn't now imo. Matthew Morgan, no way!

I think Robinson and Priestland are very similar players at 10. Both offer a decent running threat, good distribution (Robinson better though), and great tactical kicking. Robinson offers more experience, however that experience hasn't been positive on the international scene. Priestland offers a zero baggage option, not to mention the younger option if Gatland also wants to have one eye on the future post WC. I think it's quite close between those two, Priestland could shade it because he's we involved with the 6 nations squad, but I'd personally go for Nicky.

 

[Draggs]

Yeh, someone new should be tried. Stephen Jones will likely still be our 1st choice come the WC, but he's a player than can slot straight back in with relative ease. We know what he offers, so these warm-up tests should be used to work out who's our 2nd / 3rd choice (depending on where Hook is played). I think Nicky Robinson is our best option considering the short amount of time before the WC kicks off. Priestland would be the other option. Priestland is a good option on the bench to cover 10 and 15, but he needs exposure at both positions before that can be seen as a possibility. Tovey's time will come, but it isn't now imo. Matthew Morgan, no way!

I think Robinson and Priestland are very similar players at 10. Both offer a decent running threat, good distribution (Robinson better though), and great tactical kicking. Robinson offers more experience, however that experience hasn't been positive on the international scene. Priestland offers a zero baggage option, not to mention the younger option if Gatland also wants to have one eye on the future post WC. I think it's quite close between those two, Priestland could shade it because he's we involved with the 6 nations squad, but I'd personally go for Nicky.

I honestly think Hook will be our 1st choice first five come September. Priestland, while a good player, does not seem to be exceptional, or as dynamic as a player like Hook or even Robinson. If Matthew Morgan can tackle, he could be inline for 2015. Its always great to watch him play.