Most importantly Wales need a better 10 imo than Biggar currently is. I think the skills of the southern hemipshere 'ball-playing' 10's is an important part of what has for so long set them up as a class above - and in that sense, Sexton is the exception that proves the rule in terms of the northern hemipshere.
Out of interest, who would be considered Wales' best prospect at 10? Steffan Jones looks exciting?
Not sure where you've seen this. Steffan Jones certainly does NOT look exciting. He will struggle to keep Burton and Tovey out the Drags side never mind be a prospect for Wales. There's nothing wrong with Biggar, no he's not the best but he doesn't mess up like "ball playing 10's" like Hook. And playing a kicking 10 didn't seem to hurt England when they were on top, nor did it South Africa when they were on top with Steyn.
Priestland is surely ahead of Biggar and plenty of years in him
No. No. No. Just no. Not good enough, unless we want more close losses to Australia with idiots who kick the ball to them with 30 seconds left.
The point about 9 is spot on imo. We've had a few prospects that haven't developed as hoped, namely Lloyd Williams and Tavis Knoyle. I'm going to put my money on Rhodri Williams, very exciting player, but Aled Davies and Tom Habberfield are also exciting prospects. Hopefully one of them, along with Lloyd, Tavis and even Webb (if he stopped being a complete f*ckwit), will really push on because I feel Phillips is holding back this Welsh team to some extent.
Lloyd Williams was pants in Japan, Tavis isn't international class, Webb isn't even regional class. And to be honest, they have all had chances (Webb shouldn't have had a chance in the first place) and not good enough, time to move on to the next generation Aled Davies, Jonathan Evans, Rhodri Williams and Habberfield.
As for 10, I think Biggar is a fine player, and can add the controlling influence required at test level. Sexton didn't do anything this Lions tour that Biggar isn't capable of doing (not to say Sexton doesn't have more in his locker in terms of attacking threat). Patchell is the player that I see developing into the role of an attacking 10. Sam Davies is an almost carbon copy of Biggar tbh. Matthew Morgan, what I'd give to see him develop and fulfil his huge potential, but in his case I really do think size is too big a hurdle. I'm beginning to think he and the O's should consider switching him to the wing, where his size isn't as exposed, in the same way Shane switched from 9 to the wing, especially now Sam Davies is hot on his heels.
Hook......... I honestly don't know. He appears to be completely out of the picture. He's not been great in his international cameo's over the past couple of years either.
Since when did Biggar get run over by little 5ft 9in wingers?
http://youtu.be/k992rhbVDRg?t=8m2s
I wish people would just give the spot to Biggar now and let him establish himself, he's perfectly good enough. Not every player is going to be a World XV player, all the great teams have just solid players too. Hook and Priestland are both prone to ****ups, Biggar is by far the best mentally.
re: Wales' weaknesses, I think depth is a pretty big problem in some areas. A second string England wouldn't have lost to Japan. But I think Wales need some more development in second string props, a lock to back up Evans/AWJ, more depth in the half-backs and they need Dirksen to qualify asap or for Eli Wales to make some movements into the squad. (Or others.)
Back up lock is Charteris, there is also Bradley Davies. Should be enough wingers with Eli Walker and Harry Robinson, and Dirksen could qualify earlier than expected as he has married a Welsh woman. Paul James is a good reserve prop. Tighthead and scrum half are the worst positions. Phillips is approaching the end as a good quality 9, but he could get to 100 caps based on the lack of alternatives stepping up.
Yeah, I'm still trying to work that out too.
To j'nuh above - how many times?! It wasn't even a second string. A 2nds would have included Lee Byrne, James Hook, Ryan Jones, Lloyd Williams, Scott Williams, etc...
It was a development tour that took players I had never heard of and admitted struggled to make the step up to the physical demands of international rugby.
Lloyd Williams did play and was awful. Byrne, Hook and Scott Williams wouldn't have made a difference to the result. Ryan Jones being left behind was an arrogant and stupid thing to do by the coaches, fuelled by the stupidity of those ignorant enough to think they could take Pontypool 2nds and turn up in a foreign country for an easy 20-30 point canter.
