Locks - the key to stepping up a level?

[Cameo]

When we lose, we often bemoan the front five. By that, I think we largely mean the front row replacements and our locks. It feels like something has to change there if we are to be able to win more consistently, even when not fully firing.

Weirdly, at lock, we suddenly seem to have loads of options. What's less clear is if any of them will push Gilchrist out the team any time soon and / make a real difference. It's a bit hard to judge as even good locks often don't stand out, so any input very welcome, but here's how I see it.

- Cummings - First choice and happy for him to stay first choice, but does blow a little hot and cold. Hopefully the Lions tour can give him the confidence to step up.

- Gilchrist - A good player and we will lose something when he's not there, but we really need to start moving on. We need more carrying / physicality.

- Williamson - Last year he was by far the brightest prospect but seems to have had a slightly slow start to the year. Probably the closest in style to what we need, but I'll admit I've not actually seen enough to justify the hype (not saying it's not there - just haven't seen it).

- Samuel - Seems like Mr Consistent at the moment. Rare week off this week. But my impression is that he is not a big carrier. Is he another Gilchrist?

- Jare Oguntibeju - Huge potential physically and seems to be developing rapidly. His best moments make you think he should be parachuted straight in, but he's not played much rugby. I'd have him in the training squad.

- Sykes - A bit sceptical, but he is physical and seems to have done okay when he has played.

- Henderson - Starts all the time for Leocester but has always struck me as a good club player without that much impact. That may be harsh and he is not that long back from long term injury.

- Skinner - A bit meh. May rediscover something, but I'm not holding my breath.

- Craig - Ditto. A decent carrier, but would prefer to see the others get a chance.

- Brown - Interesting option but more of a six. Wouldn't we be a bit lightweight with him and Cummings, though would offer some carrying. Maybe more of a bench option.

- Ferrie - More of a backrow optiom again.

I might have missed someone, but it seems like we aren't short of people who should do a.decent job over the next 10 years or so. The question is who can really improve us - who is an upgrade on Cummings and Gilchrist. Williamson and Oguntibeju seem the two who might be make a real impact. I'd be looking to start Williamson now with Cummings and let the other youngsters fight it out for a bench spot.

Any thoughts?

[BaldiePete]

I’ve not seen enough of the Glasgow players to comment much but Cummings is definitely a first choice. Apart from one dodgy game he was excellent in the games he got for the Lions. I think most would agree that we need to move on from Gilchrist now. He’s 35 and has given years of good service to his country but it’s time for a changing of the guard. I’m not convinced by either of the other Edinburgh players listed. Both good enough club players but Skinner has had plenty of international chances without being convincing.

Also playing outside Scotland are Ewan Johnson at Bayonne and Jamie Hodgson at Newcastle. Both are getting regular starts for their clubs but we shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that would make them good internationals.

Finally, also playing in France, there’s Jonny Gray. With Cummings injured he started four of the last 6N matches (it would have been all five but he pulled out of the French match at the last minute). He’s still only 31 but I thought he was poor in those matches and he’s not starting and is often not even benching for UBB. His time has to be done, even more so than Gilchrist’s.

Going forward I think it has to be Cummings and one of the other Glasgow locks but I don’t know enough to say which one.

[Cameo]

I’ve not seen enough of the Glasgow players to comment much but Cummings is definitely a first choice. Apart from one dodgy game he was excellent in the games he got for the Lions. I think most would agree that we need to move on from Gilchrist now. He’s 35 and has given years of good service to his country but it’s time for a changing of the guard. I’m not convinced by either of the other Edinburgh players listed. Both good enough club players but Skinner has had plenty of international chances without being convincing.

Also playing outside Scotland are Ewan Johnson at Bayonne and Jamie Hodgson at Newcastle. Both are getting regular starts for their clubs but we shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that would make them good internationals.

Finally, also playing in France, there’s Jonny Gray. With Cummings injured he started four of the last 6N matches (it would have been all five but he pulled out of the French match at the last minute). He’s still only 31 but I thought he was poor in those matches and he’s not starting and is often not even benching for UBB. His time has to be done, even more so than Gilchrist’s.

Going forward I think it has to be Cummings and one of the other Glasgow locks but I don’t know enough to say which one.

Yeah, knew I'd forgotten a few. Ewan Johnson is perhaps the one to keep an eye on. Seems to be getting some decent gametime and still young.

I feel similar about Jonny Gray, but his brother looked done at that age too only to have a bit of a resurgence later.

[Donny osmond]

Ive thought for years that our locks, while decent players, are in reality ... not a weakness exactly but not the strength that we need them to be. Cummings is still developing and hes good, but I wouldnt call him world class yet. And the drop off from him to the next is quite marked. We really need our 2nd row options to step up and become that mixture of intelligence and abrasive that marks out a top quality 2nd row.

[Mikey Brown]

Pretty much agreed all round. Lots of good options, but Cummings is the only one jumping out as a solid starter. I’m still gutted he didn’t get more reward for his Lions performances.

100% we can’t keep relying on Gilchrist and need to develop some guys with a point of difference. Again it feels like the Glasgow options are by far the best contenders.

I was surprised we haven’t looked at Henderson more too, but he maybe is the type who needs to be paired with a real bruiser and that just isn’t an option we have. Sykes turning in to that feels unlikely.

Gray looks absolutely fucked every time I see him play.