Cardiff v Dragqueens

[cadofyddol]

Anscombe try in a MoM performance

He's the form 10 in Wales at the moment, another very good performance, he seems to be settling in well now.

Do you think he's performing better than Biggar?

[cadofyddol]

Another point to consider is Cardiff are now only six points behind the Scarlets with two games to play.

Scarlets play the Dragons at the Principality Stadium on 30th April and away at Munster on the 7th May
Cardiff play the Ospreys at the Principality Stadium on the 30th April and away at Edinburgh on the 7th May

It is entirely feasible for the Scarlets to lose both those games and the Blues to win both.
If Ulster lose to the Ospreys and Leinster, then we really are talking.

pro12-17042016.png

The Blues launch a last minute stealth attack on the top 6!
It could work too, although we'll do our best to ruin your chances next week
Welsh teams working for the worst overall outcome for Wales as usual...

Part of me hopes that all the Welsh sides finish outside the top six, as it might be the wake up call the WRU need.

[UKHamlet]

Anscombe try in a MoM performance

He's the form 10 in Wales at the moment, another very good performance, he seems to be settling in well now.

Do you think he's performing better than Biggar?

He's not as good a kicker as Biggar, but he has a step and gets his line moving better than Biggar. On balance, I would stick with the Ospreys man, but it's nice to see another OH performing with confidence.

[Numbers]

Anscombe try in a MoM performance

He's the form 10 in Wales at the moment, another very good performance, he seems to be settling in well now.

Do you think he's performing better than Biggar?

In open play undoubtably.

[cadofyddol]

He's the form 10 in Wales at the moment, another very good performance, he seems to be settling in well now.

Do you think he's performing better than Biggar?

In open play undoubtably.

What is 'open play'?

And would you select him for Wales ahead of Biggar?

[Numbers]

Do you think he's performing better than Biggar?

In open play undoubtably.

What is 'open play'?

And would you select him for Wales ahead of Biggar?

Heads up rugby, Biggar is good from set plays but offers little in the way of creativity, he makes one break about every 3-4 games, which wouldn't be so bad if he got the backline moving up flat to the gainline. He relies on up and unders to create things, whilst sometimes effective as we saw from the Ireland game in the 6 Nations not always.



On current form I would pick Anscombe over Biggar who I rate as solid if unspectacular, put it this way, which 10s in the 6 nations is he better than?

Sexton - No
Ford - No Farrell - Yes
Russell - No
Whoever France are picking this week - Yes
Italy - Yes

IMO obviously.


Just so you know I have no allegiance to either of the two clubs they play for and have been quite critical of Anscombe in the past, from what I have seen of him over the last few weeks has changed my opinion of him as a 10 I'll admit.

[cadofyddol]

In open play undoubtably.

What is 'open play'?

And would you select him for Wales ahead of Biggar?

Heads up rugby, Biggar is good from set plays but offers little in the way of creativity, he makes one break about every 3-4 games, which wouldn't be so bad if he got the backline moving up flat to the gainline. He relies on up and unders to create things, whilst sometimes effective as we saw from the Ireland game in the 6 Nations not always.



On current form I would pick Anscombe over Biggar who I rate as solid if unspectacular, put it this way, which 10s in the 6 nations is he better than?

Sexton - No
Ford - No Farrell - Yes
Russell - No
Whoever France are picking this week - Yes
Italy - Yes

IMO obviously.


Just so you know I have no allegiance to either of the two clubs they play for and have been quite critical of Anscombe in the past, from what I have seen of him over the last few weeks has changed my opinion of him as a 10 I'll admit.

Fair enough, although I disagree with most of what you say. People have short memories when it comes to Biggar's world cup form.
I think he's a better 10 than all that you gave listed with the exception of an in form Sexton.

Anscombe is playing well but he has a long way to go before he's performing to Biggar's level week in week out and then it's another story playing Gatland ball for Wales.
Some people have never really taken To Biggar and don't give him the credit he now deserves IMO. Don't know if you are one of those or not.

[Numbers]

What is 'open play'?

And would you select him for Wales ahead of Biggar?

Heads up rugby, Biggar is good from set plays but offers little in the way of creativity, he makes one break about every 3-4 games, which wouldn't be so bad if he got the backline moving up flat to the gainline. He relies on up and unders to create things, whilst sometimes effective as we saw from the Ireland game in the 6 Nations not always.



On current form I would pick Anscombe over Biggar who I rate as solid if unspectacular, put it this way, which 10s in the 6 nations is he better than?

Sexton - No
Ford - No Farrell - Yes
Russell - No
Whoever France are picking this week - Yes
Italy - Yes

IMO obviously.


Just so you know I have no allegiance to either of the two clubs they play for and have been quite critical of Anscombe in the past, from what I have seen of him over the last few weeks has changed my opinion of him as a 10 I'll admit.

Fair enough, although I disagree with most of what you say. People have short memories when it comes to Biggar's world cup form.
I think he's a better 10 than all that you gave listed with the exception of an in form Sexton.

Anscombe is playing well but he has a long way to go before he's performing to Biggar's level week in week out and then it's another story playing Gatland ball for Wales.
Some people have never really taken To Biggar and don't give him the credit he now deserves IMO. Don't know if you are one of those or not.

I've never rated him as a world class 10 due to his lack of a running game, he sometimes acts like a d1ck on the field and went through a spate of diving as I recall but seems to have got past that, nevertheless if I regarded him as better I would say so. He has matured greatly over the last couple of years. With respect to his World Cup form his kicking was very good as was his gathering of up and unders, that's about it, was it anywhere near Priestland's form in the 2011 World Cup, imo no and that's 4 years after.

[Sandydragon]

I was one of those who originally thought Biggar was a bit of a d!ck. That said, he has matured hugely and is now a very good fly half. My concerns aren't with him per se, more with the lack of creativity in our back line. If we had a Henson type (by which I mean someone who has a very good passing game and vision to boot) insider centre, I don't think that Biggars natural conservatism would be a problem. Whilst accepting that our game plan is conservative, I think that if Gatland has a more creative option he isn't afraid to use them, citing Priestland in 2011 as evidence.

Our problem is that with Biggar sitting back in the pocket and Roberts not being a creative player, we end up with a very predictable backline. The use of Anscombe at FB provides some evidence that Gatland recognises this and wants to inject a 2nd 5/8 type player to provide greater attacking nous, but Anscombe at FB doesn't work IMO. At some point, Gatland might have to bite the bullet and perhaps consider trying another option to Biggar or Roberts.

Potentially, giving another player an opportunity isn't a bad idea, developing some depth can only be a good thing in the next couple of years.

[Numbers]

I was one of those who originally thought Biggar was a bit of a d!ck. That said, he has matured hugely and is now a very good fly half. My concerns aren't with him per se, more with the lack of creativity in our back line. If we had a Henson type (by which I mean someone who has a very good passing game and vision to boot) insider centre, I don't think that Biggars natural conservatism would be a problem. Whilst accepting that our game plan is conservative, I think that if Gatland has a more creative option he isn't afraid to use them, citing Priestland in 2011 as evidence.

Our problem is that with Biggar sitting back in the pocket and Roberts not being a creative player, we end up with a very predictable backline. The use of Anscombe at FB provides some evidence that Gatland recognises this and wants to inject a 2nd 5/8 type player to provide greater attacking nous, but Anscombe at FB doesn't work IMO. At some point, Gatland might have to bite the bullet and perhaps consider trying another option to Biggar or Roberts.

Potentially, giving another player an opportunity isn't a bad idea, developing some depth can only be a good thing in the next couple of years.

I'm not sure we have a 12 who fits the bill, I'm not keen on any of the fly-half options at 12 as that could provide a wide attacking channel for the opposition, Scott Williams is a good footballer, so maybe him, he also offers a bit more variety, excellent distribution skills and a good kicking game.

We all know Gatland won't drop Roberts tho and I am inclined to think he may be right, Roberts was one of our best performers in the last 6 nations.

So the debate really is about 10, as Biggar is the incumbent I doubt he'll be ousted unless he has a nightmare and his half-back partnership with Rhys Webb will bolster his case.

[cadofyddol]

I think Anscombe is probably more creative than Biggar, but it is difficult to know how he would get on playing Gatland ball. He's also only recently started showing decent form, albeit not helped previously by his injuries. Let's see how he performs over a sustained period and against the better teams before we start calling for him to replace Biggar.
Biggar's cause for the Ospreys this year hasn't been helped by the teams performance and especially Tandy's selection policy, but I still think that he's is currently Wales's best option.
In terms of the potential of a creative 10, it's Sam Davies that excites me most and a possible option at 12 in the future who looks to have a decent passing game and rugby brain is Owen Watkins.
Hopefully Patchell's game will develop at the Scarlets and give Wales lots of food for thought in the future at Fly half

[Sandydragon]

I think Anscombe is probably more creative than Biggar, but it is difficult to know how he would get on playing Gatland ball. He's also only recently started showing decent form, albeit not helped previously by his injuries. Let's see how he performs over a sustained period and against the better teams before we start calling for him to replace Biggar.
Biggar's cause for the Ospreys this year hasn't been helped by the teams performance and especially Tandy's selection policy, but I still think that he's is currently Wales's best option.
In terms of the potential of a creative 10, it's Sam Davies that excites me most and a possible option at 12 in the future who looks to have a decent passing game and rugby brain is Owen Watkins.
Hopefully Patchell's game will develop at the Scarlets and give Wales lots of food for thought in the future at Fly half

I think Watkin has a very bright future ahead of him. Big lad who shows some nice skills as well.