Mike Phillips on verge of Toulouse move

TRF_Cymro · Apr 12, 2011

Again referring to your point and not cyRil's where you named the three scrum halves (09 Lions) and ive added two more who should of gone / better ... can't be much more clearer than that.

Teh Mite · Apr 12, 2011

He was talking about the SH's on the Lions tour, you twit!

TRF_Olyy · Apr 12, 2011

I didn't think he was, was just saying that he was the best in the NH around the time of the Lions - which, tbf, I'd agree with

Jockstap · Apr 12, 2011

I'd say Bowe is kicking himself for staying with the Ospreys to hunt silverware, they'll have no good players left at the end of the season with the way things are going.

TRF_Cymro · Apr 12, 2011

Jockstap said:
I'd say Bowe is kicking himself for staying with the Ospreys to hunt silverware, they'll have no good players left at the end of the season with the way things are going.

Dunno what you are on but the Ospreys have plenty good enough players there to compete for some silverware. People are unaware that they have some magnificent talent in their ranks and with three of four first team players going they are going to get some regular game time.

SelimNiai · Apr 12, 2011

Just hoping that these French escapades will do for Phillips, who hasnt been the same since 09, Hook, Byrne et what playing for Clermont did for Stephen Jones, came back a far better player. We need them to be at 100% bloomin soon.

DuncTheDoodle · Apr 12, 2011

Contary to CyRils's point, I think that 09 was 'just form'. We've been seeing the 'true' Mike Phillips ever since then, and in large were before 08 when he started to peak. He can be very good, but I've never considered him really world class.

I'm actually pleased to see the back of him. Fotuali'i looks a class act from what I've seen and Webb is seeming really sharp. It would be a shame to see them behind a bumbling second-row. And he'll slow down Toulose, which is always handy when you're up against a back line consisting of Heymans, Clerc, Medard, Jauzion and Poitreand.

dullonien · Apr 12, 2011

People are probably being a little too harsh on Phillips, because he was quality in '08 and '09, certainly the best of the home nations (France always have a string of quality scrum halves), and during his time with the lions was probably up there with the best in the world. Before then he used his physical attributes well and used to run havoc around the fringes of rucks (remember the 06 or 07 game v France where he made break after break). However in the past two years he's shown absolutely nothing. He's pondourous getting the ball out to his backline, makes poor decision after poor decision, and has barely made a break. His only remaining strength is, well his strength, especially in defense!

I think France could give him the opportunity to re-invent himself. He simply could not continue being so lathargic playing for Tolouse, as they simply won't put up with it. Moving clubs will take him out of his comfot zone, and that's exactly what he needs.

I just hope Gatland realises what everyone else does and drops him from the Welsh team. Use Peel and Rees instead. Maybe keep Phillips in the squad to see if the competition ups his game, but I wouldn't use him atall during the warm up games. Knoyle is looking a better option than Phillips at the moment, both have their weaknesses, but at least Knoyle uses his physicality to some good use sometimes, instead of trying to take on the opposition backrow at every opportunity.

cyRil · Apr 13, 2011

TRF_Olyy said:
I didn't think he was, was just saying that he was the best in the NH around the time of the Lions - which, tbf, I'd agree with

He knows.

TRF_Cymro · Apr 13, 2011

Logorrhea · Apr 13, 2011

TRF_Cymro said:
Dunno what you are on but the Ospreys have plenty good enough players there to compete for some silverware.

Even with their superstars they barely competed for silverware. You believe the loss of quite a few first teamers will not have a negative effect?

A few years rebuilding I reckon.

TRF_Cymro · Apr 13, 2011

Logorrhea said:
Even with their superstars they barely competed for silverware. You believe the loss of quite a few first teamers will not have a negative effect?

A few years rebuilding I reckon.

Its a problem having so many 'superstars' in their team. For me they will be a better team, may well rebuild but people thinking that they will just fall off completely are deluded. Guys like Tupric, Ashley Beck, James King etc will get more exposed game time and develop even further. People say the Ospreys have not won anything but the last time I checked they have won two Magners League trophies and some other minority cups but they still have won stuff, maybe not the HEC but still won the league.

Also some scary news when I opened up the Western Fail this morning:

Blues not in hunt for Mike Phillips

cyRil · Apr 13, 2011

TRF_Cymro said:
Its a problem having so many 'superstars' in their team. For me they will be a better team, may well rebuild but people thinking that they will just fall off completely are deluded. Guys like Tupric, Ashley Beck, James King etc will get more exposed game time and develop even further. People say the Ospreys have not won anything but the last time I checked they have won two Magners League trophies and some other minority cups but they still have won stuff, maybe not the HEC but still won the league.

Also some scary news when I opened up the Western Fail this morning:

Blues not in hunt for Mike Phillips

Last time I checked, we'd won THREE Magners Leagues!

TRF_Cymro · Apr 13, 2011

cyRil said:
Last time I checked, we'd won THREE Magners Leagues!

Sorry great one.

cyRil · Apr 13, 2011

TRF_Cymro said:
Sorry great one.

You are forgiven.

TRF_Cymro · Apr 13, 2011

Still proves my point they have won things not the big one mind.

Logorrhea · Apr 13, 2011

TRF_Cymro said:
Still proves my point they have won things not the big one mind.

Of course. THATS why all the players are leaving then. Too much success.

TRF_Cymro · Apr 13, 2011

Logorrhea said:
Of course. THATS why all the players are leaving then. Too much success.

munstermuffin · Apr 13, 2011

I agree that if O's develop a base of home grown talent and import the right players from outside it could be best thing that has happened them in years

TRF_Cymro · Apr 13, 2011

munstermuffin said:
I agree that if O's develop a base of home grown talent and import the right players from outside it could be best thing that has happened them in years

Its not just that the problem comes from the coaching set up Johnson I believe is detrimental to the Ospreys. The same man who was in the Welsh setup when Ruddockgate went down is the same man within the Ospreys, and there are grumblings that all is not peachy there. There also seems a major attitude problem with some of the players, Mike Phillips is one of them. The biggest blow for the Ospreys is James Hook and Craig Mitchell leaving, the rest you feel they can cope with. I keep on saying talent pool, they have a massive one. Of course they are going to rebuild but I would not put it past them to progress quicker than others think.

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