Hard to compare players like that when one team is playing very well as a team and the other is falling apart at the seams.
I was trying to judge the players not on how the Blues are currently performing, but based on their potential; and many of them come up short imo. Adding a few more players:
- Gethin Jenkins. A fit Gethin Jenkins would be an asset to many sides, but he's getting on now and Rob Evans is clearly the better option atm and going forwards. Wyn Jones has been superb as well, but a fit Gethin would likely make the bench ahead of him, but for how much longer?
- Kristian Dacey. Dacey has been one of the Blues' best players over the last few years, but in Ken Owens they have Wales' current no. 1 and Lion, whilst Elias is imo the next first choice Wales hooker.
- Seb Davies. Plenty of potential here certainly, but not ahead of the likes of Ball, Beirne, Snyman or Rawlins yet. Don't rate the other Blues locks at all.
- Josh Navidi. Always shows heart and commitment, but comes up just short imo.
- Ellis Jenkins. Would fight it out with Boyde to back-up James Davies. Jenkins is a classy operator, but I'm not convinced his breakdown work quite holds up versus his peers. Could yet develop into a star though...
- Tomos Williams. I really like the look of Williams, would fit in well at the Scarlets. Scarlets do have a strong contingent of 9's though.
- Gareth Anscombe. Would make the Scarlets bench, and would challenge Patchell at 10, but his injury woes continue to hold him back. His defence is a real worry as well.
- Matthew Morgan. I've always liked Morgan, but he is just too big a liability in defence.
There's obviously some talent at the region, and there's some promising youngsters emerging, but they're a way off, personnel wise, before they'll be challenging for silverware. They're going through the type of rebuilding process the Scarlets did a few years ago, and it'll take time. I have faith in Danny Wilson, I think he's a quality coach, but maybe the likes of Sherratt need looking at.
