Wales - Six Nations 2012

[welshvalliesboy]

Robinson looked very polished and a huge threat in the recent Wales 7s campaign - just needs to get some start time with the Blues to show what he is really made of. I think the coaches are playing it a bit safe with the more experienced players. I think he is a real talent = mega pace - small but as strong as on ox.

 

[Draggs]

Still going for Mike at 9. His physicality is such an asset, and along with Roberts, really pulls in the opposition wing forwards.
Might go with Ianto at 4 over Ryan, just to have a lineout option (Bradley isn't always a jumper) and he can add some grunt. His form the the Ospreys has been patchy but looked good against Australia.
I'd consider Dominic Day on the bench, as he has really stepped it up. I don't have much faith in Lour Reed, if it wasn't for Morgan and McCusker he wouldn't have anyone to carry him.
Cuthbert might not be ready yet, but I do think he will be a good one in a bit, same with Harry Robinson. Everyone online seems to be going on about Harry lately, I suppose we really want another Shane. Who wouldn't?

 

[welshglory]

Without Mike the backline pretty much falls apart. As we saw when we played Australia in December. His physicality around the fringes is such a threat allowing Priestland that extra bit of time and his big boot takes a lot pressure of him as well.
Whereas Lloyd still hasn't learnt when to pass, kick or run yet.

 

[mikefoot1]

Saying that Hook is an all round better player than Priestland is pretty strong I think. Personally I think Priestland links with the centres better than Hook does and is generally a safer player, as he doesn't try to break the line every 5 minutes. I think when watching Hook play 10 for Wales is 'You've got Roberts there, use him!!'

 

[Peat]

I do not think it was a coincidence that with Priestland Wales' backline functioned better and that without him they got knocked out. Hook might be a better all round player, but he's not a better fly-half.

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

Without Mike the backline pretty much falls apart. As we saw when we played Australia in December. His physicality around the fringes is such a threat allowing Priestland that extra bit of time and his big boot takes a lot pressure of him as well.
Whereas Lloyd still hasn't learnt when to pass, kick or run yet.

However, on current form Lloyd looks pretty good at the kicking, passing and running. Phillips had a good RWC and as such should be retained, but I think Lloyd'll probably be our scrum-half come the next World Cup and we should be preparing him for that.

 

[wlshby09]

Personally I think Mike ruins our back line, he takes so much time to get the ball away. He scores some great tries but I feel he does more wrong than right. Is having a huge 9 necessary anyway? Yeah its like having another back rower which works in defence, but if he passes the ball badly then that goes against what a 9 should be best at. Most other nations get on fine without a big scrum half. I think that if it was a requirment then NZ, Aus and SA would all have one.

 

[Draggs]

Mike's passing isn't great, but its working with Rhys right now. I think Lloyd will indeed be our best option in a few years, but his box kicking needs work and he seems to lose his head at times. I still think Richie Rees is a better starter, but Lloyd has the potential to be a very good scrum half. I think Knoyle is done for right now, he was supposed to be another Phillips but with a pass, but he looks a bag of nerves and really not international level right now (perhaps third choice for the Scarlets as well). Gareth Davies is a great prospect, and both Rhodri Williams and Aled Davies are developing well. Still unconvinced by Webb. He can't string two good performances together. One match he plays a blinder, and the next he can't do a thing right.

 

[dullonien]

Lloyd Burns out of the tournament: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/16533786.stm

Disapointing for the player himself, but it's probably a good thing for Wales, because now one of Ken Owens or Hibbard who are better players than Burns will be involved instead.

 

[Draggs]

We've got Shingler http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/welsh/16428283.stm
Don't think he will be involved immediately, but certainly in the future.

 

[Getofmeland]

I did see that on the BBC, it seems only fair that if a player has played for a country they should not be allowed to play for another... I think this is only fair...

 

[Draggs]

I did see that on the BBC, it seems only fair that if a player has played for a country they should not be allowed to play for another... I think this is only fair...

I agree. I think the timing was rather poor though, the day after Morgan declared for England.
Hopefully he will be on his way to us now; then he just needs to keep his head down and wait for everybody to forget. The fail will soon be championing him as the next great ten (once they tire of Nipper, of course).