Rob McCusker named Scarlets captain

[Draggs]

The Scarlets have named back row forward Rob McCusker as Captain of the region for the forthcoming season 2012/13.

North Walian-born McCusker, 26, has appeared 68 times in the Scarlets shirt with 15 points and has won four caps for Wales - his debut for his country coming in 2010 against South Africa. Scarlets Head Coach Simon Easterby, himself a former international and Scarlets flanker and captain of the Scarlets for five consecutive seasons said that Rob McCusker was a 'natural leader' that had earned the respect and support of his colleagues through hard work and commitment.

Good choice, unlikely to be heavily involved with Wales, but a dedicated player. I see Shingler as their first choice blindside, so I wonder if we could see McCusker at 8 again.

 

[dullonien]

Trying to switch McCusker to 8 makes a lot of sense. The Scarlets have Shingler and Turnbull as their two first choice blindsides. Turnbull has been spending a lot of time on the openside for the scarlets, but with Daniel Thomas coming through, I think we might be seeing Turnbull playing more regularly on the blindside, or even in the second row. We might see Shingler playing second-row, although I'd prefer to see him stay at 6 where he's most effective (not big enough for the second-row).

 

[Draggs]

Trying to switch McCusker to 8 makes a lot of sense. The Scarlets have Shingler and Turnbull as their two first choice blindsides. Turnbull has been spending a lot of time on the openside for the scarlets, but with Daniel Thomas coming through, I think we might be seeing Turnbull playing more regularly on the blindside, or even in the second row. We might see Shingler playing second-row, although I'd prefer to see him stay at 6 where he's most effective (not big enough for the second-row).

Yep, totally agree. Rumours were that we might see Turnbull at second row occasionally this season. If we pull it off with Andrew Coombs, then Turnbull should be fine there.
I have always felt McCusker could make a good 8. He isn't afraid of hard work, and has decent pace if I can recall correctly. He was being used there in 2010 before his injury, and subsequently Morgan took over.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Interesting call. Makes sense to strip Matthew Rees of the armband, considering he's not a guaranteed starter, but I wouldn't've said McCusker was either. All the same, well-deserved by him, hard worker and clearly a dedicated Scarlet.

 

[Me 1]

Good choice here, has been injured for a while so it will be good to see what he can bring as a player after he gets fit. And with the added responsibility a captain, he will be eager to make a big impression when he comes back. Good to see a fellow gog doing well too

 

[scarlets-fan]

Just hope he can keep his fitness, they must be confident of that if they've given him the armband. Should work well as a Number 8, not quite as barn storming as Ben Morgan but he always puts a good shift in. Plus i think it'll allow Shingler and Turnbull at flanker where they're work best.

 

[welshglory]

I don't think Dan Thomas is going to come through this season. He isn't really physically developed yet, he looks like a 16 year old from what i've seen. It took Tipuric and Warburton a couple of years to break into pro rugby so i can't see Dan Thomas being any different if not longer.

 

[Draggs]

I don't think Dan Thomas is going to come through this season. He isn't really physically developed yet, he looks like a 16 year old from what i've seen. It took Tipuric and Warburton a couple of years to break into pro rugby so i can't see Dan Thomas being any different if not longer.

Thomas is 1.84m and 95kg according to the JWC stats. For an 18 year old openside that isn't bad at all. Warburton and Tipuric were somewhere around there I would imagine.
Daniel is a confident player, not afraid to go in looking for the ball. If he was Shingler and McCusker alongside him, the physicality should be there.

 

[welshglory]

That's why i'm saying he needs a year or two to develop. You'll probably seem him play the odd game hear or there but i can't imagine much more than that, especially with all the established pros ahead of him.