Pre Season...any learnings?

[MrK]

I know pre -season is used as a "warm up", trying different combinations etc but what have we learned about the regions

Blues - seem to have done okay and look like they are going to put their faith in some younguns that have shown potential - Assirati, Dimachowski, Lewis, Seb Davies in the pack in particular. Add in the very experienced players to that and it seems a good mix. Im hoping to see Anscombe boss it this year at 10.

Dragons - well if pre season is anything to go by this is going to be another disaster of a season. I just dont thinnk they have enough depth to compete.

Osrpeys - Still look like that pack is underpowered, lookiing to see how Smith, Parry, Beard & Thornton and Cracknell kick on in the oack, in the backs - Watkins is someone I will be watching, be good to have Hassler back as he will run through walls.

Scarlets - marquee signing with 1/2p but its the pack that has to deliver again - not sure what signings they have made there but just hope they carry on playing they way they were last season as I thoroughly enjoyed watching them.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Hopefully they'll remember how to play when the season begins.

[PoolerSaint]

Certainly underwhelming so far form wise. Good win for the Blues over Exeter Chiefs apart.

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[Sandydragon]

Very so so. Dragons shyte still, it it will take time. Fail bugging up the match at Ebbw Vale with a decent turnout, although it wasn't that spectacular to be fair.

I expect continued shyteness for another few seasons yet, although we do have some promising young players who will be getting game time, so it could be worse.

[ALunpg]

I used to enjoy pre season as an opportunity to get rid of the cobwebs both as a coach and a player.
That said I became more non plussed about most performances since very few are totally committed with the exception of the youngsters coming through.

Now I will be honest I didn't see a match so this is from highlights and reports bur what I gleamed was not surprising.

The Blues did ok and a few players did very well hopefully the doom and gloom will clear away quickly
Scarlets were some way off their standard but again some good run outs I think the Gloucester match will stand them in good stead.
Ospreys continued to confuse although there were a couple of lights but not many ...however it was a good examination of some of the up and coming players .
The Dragons results are no suprise since they are trying to adapt to a new coach have and a new defense system.

[Numbers]

I used to enjoy pre season as an opportunity to get rid of the cobwebs both as a coach and a player.
That said I became more non plussed about most performances since very few are totally committed with the exception of the youngsters coming through.

Now I will be honest I didn't see a match so this is from highlights and reports bur what I gleamed was not surprising.

The Blues did ok and a few players did very well hopefully the doom and gloom will clear away quickly
Scarlets were some way off their standard but again some good run outs I think the Gloucester match will stand them in good stead.
Ospreys continued to confuse although there were a couple of lights but not many ...however it was a good examination of some of the up and coming players .
The Dragons results are no suprise since they are trying to adapt to a new coach have and a new defense system.

What was Luke Price like?

[ALunpg]

Luke Price started against Leicester and Bath...and he picked up an injury and will be out for 4 to 6 weeks so with Sam Davies a question against Zebra, Hook is likely to start.

As to your question..I can only go on my brothers input.... so pick out of it what you wish .

Luke looked good at times but seemed to have picked up the Ospreys 10s habit of throwing interception passes. His kicking of ball in hand was good and was willing to run but looked under the cosh a bit when Leonard went off injured.

Lots of promise but needs more exposure..not surprisingly Hook looked more composed.

Hope this is useful. ..if not we will blame my brother

[Numbers]

Luke Price started against Leicester and Bath...and he picked up an injury and will be out for 4 to 6 weeks so with Sam Davies a question against Zebra, Hook is likely to start.

As to your question..I can only go on my brothers input.... so pick out of it what you wish .

Luke looked good at times but seemed to have picked up the Ospreys 10s habit of throwing interception passes. His kicking of ball in hand was good and was willing to run but looked under the cosh a bit when Leonard went off injured.

Lots of promise but needs more exposure..not surprisingly Hook looked more composed.

Hope this is useful. ..if not we will blame my brother

This is what I thought, good kicking game, solid but unspectacular a useful backup for International windows I suppose. The reason I ask is he is my Aunties Grandson, so my cousins son (not that I even know the name of that cousin as I have 33 1st cousins )

Shame about the injury, hopefully he'll be back for the AI window.

[ALunpg]

Yep it was a bummer the upside is that Hook looks in decent enought form to slot into the 10 slot in the AI...and if Price , Hook , Leonard and Haberrfield are all fit then that is a good set of backups .

[Numbers]

Yep it was a bummer the upside is that Hook looks in decent enought form to slot into the 10 slot in the AI...and if Price , Hook , Leonard and Haberrfield are all fit then that is a good set of backups .

True enough, Dan Evans could also do a job if required so they should be fine for cover, saying that Biggar is yet to go anywhere either.

[ALunpg]

Next season is most likely or straight after the World Cup is another option.
Can't blame the lad we all have to make hay whilst the sun shines. It will also do him good as a player but just not sure Northampton will wait till 2019 but they need a high percentage consistent kicker at fly half.
From a Wales perspective Dan moving will push Davies fully more often.

[ALunpg]

Next season is most likely or straight after the World Cup is another option.
Can't blame the lad we all have to make hay whilst the sun shines. It will also do him good as a player but just not sure Northampton will wait till 2019 but they need a high percentage consistent kicker at fly half.
From a Wales perspective Dan moving will push Davies fully more often.