RugbyRebels

Numbers wrote:

Digby wrote:I'd play Davies and set up the team how Davies wants it. But I just can't see both those things happening, maybe, just maybe they'd pick Davies, but as you note I think they'd basically pick him in a system that's set up to make his life hard.

I've not seen enough of Beck, he hasn't in the past impressed me much but there are good reports this season, and if that's Owen William from Leicester then he doesn't to me look anything but a solid club player

Agreed, Beck is playing well at the moment tho I don't think there is any issue with Scott Williams's distribution just the tactics. Davies really needs to start.

To be fair, Scott Williams should be kept. He offers far greater distribution than Roberts, or JD2, and can truck the ball up as well. If someone like Owen WIlliams can show that they can play in the centres then great, but Scott is making a difference. If our backline were to play flatter then I think it would be more noticeable. The sad problem is that if SW isn't fit or otherwise the management aren't sure, then the default option seems to be JR, not someone like Beck.

Beck has been playing well and deserves some kind of chance. Put another way, I think he warrants a bench space more than Roberts at the moment.

Does anyone think that Biggar could move across to 12? Suggested on ScrumV and its working with Farrell, having a second playmaker has some advantages, even if I wouldn't put Biggar in the crash ball category.

I like Williams as a player, I quite like JD2, and Biggar's more than okay. But I think they can only pick 2 out of the 3 else it's just a bit dull, the other option in the midfield (most likely Sam Davies) needs to be better imo

Sandydragon wrote:Does anyone think that Biggar could move across to 12? Suggested on ScrumV and its working with Farrell, having a second playmaker has some advantages, even if I wouldn't put Biggar in the crash ball category.

Is it working for England ?

Against France and Wales they scored 1 try in each game and the one they got against Wales had nothing to do with the second playmaker, while I agree that its the way forward its not reaping trys galore for England

Against Wales we scored two tries, and one was very much about having 2 passers in midfield exposing the rank bad kick from JD2. Though I'd take the point England's 2 10s aren't exactly pulling up trees as a combo, and against Italy Farrell dropped to new lows.

Sandydragon wrote:Does anyone think that Biggar could move across to 12? Suggested on ScrumV and its working with Farrell, having a second playmaker has some advantages, even if I wouldn't put Biggar in the crash ball category.

No, he should just be dropped to the bench, if he was a more natural 10 then he would be considered as a playmaker @ 12, but he isn't, as we can see from his performances.

The way I see it, England have Farrell at 12 because they need his goal kicking, but don't particularly like how he plays at fly half. He does a job at 12, no more than that IMO.

Biggar has very little experience at 12, none that I can remember, so we can't play him there in a serious international, and we don't need him for his goal kicking. Owen Williams might be good, but I have seen nothing of him in that position, so cannot judge. Beck was very good at 12 vs Munster, but for me Scott Williams is fine. He just needs to be outside a distributing 10 ie Sam Davies. Beck would be my preference at 13, his usual position.

TBH if we were going the "2nd 5/8" route I'd be happier to see Biggar at 10 and Davies at 12 than the other way around, simply as ISTR Davies has had the odd game at 12 whereas I'm fairly sure Biggar has never played there. But I don't really think either combination will work.

I agree that SW might look a lot tidier outside Davies, but I don't think we're talking enough about JD2. Never mind "that kick", IMO he's been pedestrian for a long time now. Although there isn't a mob of 13s hammering on the gates, Beck deserves a chance while JD2 is offering so little.

Sourdust wrote:TBH if we were going the "2nd 5/8" route I'd be happier to see Biggar at 10 and Davies at 12 than the other way around, simply as ISTR Davies has had the odd game at 12 whereas I'm fairly sure Biggar has never played there. But I don't really think either combination will work.

I agree that SW might look a lot tidier outside Davies, but I don't think we're talking enough about JD2. Never mind "that kick", IMO he's been pedestrian for a long time now. Although there isn't a mob of 13s hammering on the gates, Beck deserves a chance while JD2 is offering so little.

He's been on the slide since the last Lions tour IMO, but as you say he has no competition for the shirt at the moment. I would definitely look at Beck.

Tre wrote:

Sourdust wrote:TBH if we were going the "2nd 5/8" route I'd be happier to see Biggar at 10 and Davies at 12 than the other way around, simply as ISTR Davies has had the odd game at 12 whereas I'm fairly sure Biggar has never played there. But I don't really think either combination will work.

I agree that SW might look a lot tidier outside Davies, but I don't think we're talking enough about JD2. Never mind "that kick", IMO he's been pedestrian for a long time now. Although there isn't a mob of 13s hammering on the gates, Beck deserves a chance while JD2 is offering so little.

He's been on the slide since the last Lions tour IMO, but as you say he has no competition for the shirt at the moment. I would definitely look at Beck.

Well stats wise he has made more metres than all the backs other than Liam Williams, and by a decent margin.

whatisthejava wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:Does anyone think that Biggar could move across to 12? Suggested on ScrumV and its working with Farrell, having a second playmaker has some advantages, even if I wouldn't put Biggar in the crash ball category.

Is it working for England ?

Against France and Wales they scored 1 try in each game and the one they got against Wales had nothing to do with the second playmaker, while I agree that its the way forward its not reaping trys galore for England

Do you need an HIA?

The Faz try causing pass in the Wales game?

Sorry but a skilled 2nd 5/8th or at least a serious footballer is a better option than, let's say the current Welsh bosh options, in history terms, England have learned that the hard way, Noone/hrh/Andy farrel/burges/even Tualagi
Even Ben Teo is a better offloading 12 than Roberts

Numbers wrote:

Tre wrote:

Sourdust wrote:TBH if we were going the "2nd 5/8" route I'd be happier to see Biggar at 10 and Davies at 12 than the other way around, simply as ISTR Davies has had the odd game at 12 whereas I'm fairly sure Biggar has never played there. But I don't really think either combination will work.

I agree that SW might look a lot tidier outside Davies, but I don't think we're talking enough about JD2. Never mind "that kick", IMO he's been pedestrian for a long time now. Although there isn't a mob of 13s hammering on the gates, Beck deserves a chance while JD2 is offering so little.

He's been on the slide since the last Lions tour IMO, but as you say he has no competition for the shirt at the moment. I would definitely look at Beck.

Well stats wise he has made more metres than all the backs other than Liam Williams, and by a decent margin.

Weird isn't it? He looks good in the stats, but not to the eye.

That's probably why Howley chooses him... he certainly doesn't seem to pick 'em on any visible quality .

Numbers wrote:

Tre wrote:

Sourdust wrote:TBH if we were going the "2nd 5/8" route I'd be happier to see Biggar at 10 and Davies at 12 than the other way around, simply as ISTR Davies has had the odd game at 12 whereas I'm fairly sure Biggar has never played there. But I don't really think either combination will work.

I agree that SW might look a lot tidier outside Davies, but I don't think we're talking enough about JD2. Never mind "that kick", IMO he's been pedestrian for a long time now. Although there isn't a mob of 13s hammering on the gates, Beck deserves a chance while JD2 is offering so little.

He's been on the slide since the last Lions tour IMO, but as you say he has no competition for the shirt at the moment. I would definitely look at Beck.

Well stats wise he has made more metres than all the backs other than Liam Williams, and by a decent margin.

None of them have made many meters have they? We've been shit

Also there's fuck all point making metres of you then chuck the ball into touch or die with it.

There is no option at 12 at present in the squad and I certainly do not suggest playing a 10 out of position .

The demise of Roberts has without doubt blindsided the Welsh management . This has been followed by a complete drop in form of the other Welsh backline for a bunch of reasons we already have discussed at length.

So where are we 4 days to go..well certainly the noises from the camp is ...not much change..and honestly I dont think any of this is a real suprise for many of us.

So if the players aint changing much....what would we have to do upstage a pretty confident Ireland.

Cut out turnovers..take care if the ball better.
Be squeeky clean the contact area.
One fecking Captain..if Biggar plays...find the gorilla gaffer tape
Tell 1/2p ..to switch occasuonally with Liam..give Sexton a differant image when he kicks.
Keep 15 men on the pitch at all times