RugbyRebels

... all is forgiven!

No, I’m not joking.

Against opposition who want to play route one rugby, we have struggled this championship. For the number of injuries we had, our front five has largely been the best we can pick, but we have been overpowered for lengthy periods by France, England and Ireland.

However, Lydiate chop tackle, backed up with an open side jackling, would at least give us some ball back. It would also rob the opposition of any momentum.

Shingler has been a great player for us, it when all our back row options are fit and available, we should choose horses for courses. Play the more physical and defensive Lydiate against the bigger teams, with someone like Tips on the bench for when the game opens us, whilst a blindside like Shingler is the better pick where our pack is more evenly based.

I still have Moriaty as a 6 and not a 8 so Id take him before Lydiate, and Id take Shingler over Lydiate too.

Shingler should have started today, with Navidi at 7 and Tips on the bench.

Lydiate's star has been fading for some time now... but in general I agree. While we laud our strength-in-depth in the back row, the balance between creative, fast footballers, and bastard-hard grafters, is too skewed toward the former. We can't see the benefits of our flashy flankers because they're too busy getting schooled on the floor; and to be fair, getting too little backup from our other forwards.

I think Lydiate is done at test level, if we wanted a similar type they could go with Olly Cracknell. He's a tackling machine for the Ospreys these days & adds a little bit more athleticism than Lydiate too.

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PoolerSaint wrote:I think Lydiate is done at test level, if we wanted a similar type they could go with Olly Cracknell. He's a tackling machine for the Ospreys these days & adds a little bit more athleticism than Lydiate too.

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He was looking like the heir apparent, but he's suffered from playing in a clueless team all season.

I think Shingler's been great and should have started against France. And if he had I am not sure we'd have seen this issue.

It used to be: 'rip the shirt off my back if you want it'.