Italy v Wales, 23/02/13

[psychic duck]

Injuries and Scott Johnson happened.

Can't be blamed for everything. He was poor on the pitch. Will also have nightmares of Toby Faletau outpacing him embarrassingly easily during Dragons only away win over the Ospreys. Done okay this month, but not impressed either at the Scarlets.

 

[Draggs]

Can't be blamed for everything. He was poor on the pitch. Will also have nightmares of Toby Faletau outpacing him embarrassingly easily during Dragons only away win over the Ospreys. Done okay this month, but not impressed either at the Scarlets.

True, but Toby beats everybody.
He is a good example of class in the Welsh prem, but can't step up.
Actually was called up by Wales in 2009 but didn't tour because of injury.

 

[dullonien]

He'll prove you all wrong!

Tbh I mentioned him in a tongue in cheek kinda way, because I always mention him. However......

I still think he's got the talent to make it. He was messed around at the Ospreys unlike any other player (more so than Henson and Hook). He sat on the bench ever week, barely getting any gametime, and when he did get a few mins people were surprised to see him forcing things and making mistakes. That's what happens when a player get's no gametime whatsoever (wasn't even playing in the prem due to his bench commitments), and when he was given a sniff he was under pressure to take the chance. He was also constantly played in different positions. I remember him appearing for the Ospreys at 10, in the centre, at fullback and on the wing.

Given a run of games for the Scarlets, he was beginning to build his performances, with errors reducing and form returning. Hopefully his latest injury isn't serious and we can see if he can progress some more. Very few players have the talent he does, so I hope someone can transfer that onto the field so we can see what he's capable of. The Scarlets played him in front of Liam Williams at fullback in his last game, with Williams shifting to the wing (and he was playing really well until he went off injured), so it looks like they're willing to give him a chance.

 

[Ospreylian]

As much of a Mike Phillips fan I am, I do think Lloyd Williams has been a bit better in general this tournament. The thing he has over Phillips is obviously his quicker recycling of the ball from rucks, and every time he has come off the bench he has made an impact on the game. He is maturing nicely too, and probably proving that he is quite a bit ahead of Tavis Knoyle and Rhys Webb in terms of his development. Brynmor must be proud

I think in general, the Welsh management don't seem to have too much of a problem tinkering with the forwards, but when it comes to the backs it's almost as if they're too scared to alter something that isn't losing. Even when there are some clear improvements that could be made, without much disruption in my opinion.

I would love, given everyone is fit, to see a backline of L. Williams, Biggar, Walker, Hook, Roberts, Cuthbert, Halfpenny. Williams would offer quick, clean ball to the likes of Biggar and Hook (interchangeable at first and second receiver) who would then be able to distribute to either Roberts (is capable of tearing defences to pieces from the right angles, for example, with a delayed pass. He's definitely not a second receiver), Cuthbert (who cuts some great angles these days and has some ridiculous pace), Walker (who offers something entirely different to the Cuthbert/North mold - has some real creative flair, almost Shane-esque), and Halfpenny. And we all know what Halfpenny can do.

I just wish the management had more confidence in players who were on form. It must be frustrating for the benched/squad players who must know they are playing better than their starting counterparts. It must be quite frustrating for the likes of Tipuric and Biggar to know they are only now getting the chance to prove themselves because the management were forced into changes through injury.