RugbyRebels

Well it looks like he's off to Japan which is going to leave a bit of a hole in our midfield, I expect Owen Watkin to be his successor and I'd like to see Kieran Williams added to the squad asap, he shows genuine class.

Numbers wrote:Well it looks like he's off to Japan which is going to leave a bit of a hole in our midfield, I expect Owen Watkin to be his successor and I'd like to see Kieran Williams added to the squad asap, he shows genuine class.

Opportunity for Watkin, who I don't think has yet had a lot of time to press his case. Watkin and Tompkin as our midfield has nice balance, although we need some other genuine contenders in there (assuming JD2 hasn't too many seasons left in him).

Somehow that midfield of Bigger, Parkes and Davies needed one if not two changes to significantly improve the handling, they're all good players who offer a lot but the balance just feels limited on the handling front, especially when your back three has so many good options it'd be nice seeing the ball get to in usable fashion

Digby wrote:Somehow that midfield of Bigger, Parkes and Davies needed one if not two changes to significantly improve the handling, they're all good players who offer a lot but the balance just feels limited on the handling front, especially when your back three has so many good options it'd be nice seeing the ball get to in usable fashion

Agreed, it always felt defensively strong but there isn't anyone in there who you would call a natural footballer. I've always been a fan of having a centre who can operate as a second playmaker.

Sandydragon wrote:

Digby wrote:Somehow that midfield of Bigger, Parkes and Davies needed one if not two changes to significantly improve the handling, they're all good players who offer a lot but the balance just feels limited on the handling front, especially when your back three has so many good options it'd be nice seeing the ball get to in usable fashion

Agreed, it always felt defensively strong but there isn't anyone in there who you would call a natural footballer. I've always been a fan of having a centre who can operate as a second playmaker.

I have this feeling that Patchell would be good in that kind of role. Except that I don't want him to be moved from one position to another and have his career "hooked". It's down to whether or not Pivac sees him as a real contender for the 10 shirt. If not, I think he'd be an excellent 12.

Son of Mathonwy wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:

Digby wrote:Somehow that midfield of Bigger, Parkes and Davies needed one if not two changes to significantly improve the handling, they're all good players who offer a lot but the balance just feels limited on the handling front, especially when your back three has so many good options it'd be nice seeing the ball get to in usable fashion

Agreed, it always felt defensively strong but there isn't anyone in there who you would call a natural footballer. I've always been a fan of having a centre who can operate as a second playmaker.

I have this feeling that Patchell would be good in that kind of role. Except that I don't want him to be moved from one position to another and have his career "hooked". It's down to whether or not Pivac sees him as a real contender for the 10 shirt. If not, I think he'd be an excellent 12.

In an attacking sense I agree. He has the size to take the ball up if needed but is also a good footballer. Defensively not so sure, I Also share you concern over damaging his career, but with Anscombe, Patch, Evans and Sam Davies all playing routinely, someone has to think outside the box.

Why not Biggar at 12 if you want to move a 10 out in lieu of options at 12?

Digby wrote:Why not Biggar at 12 if you want to move a 10 out in lieu of options at 12?

That has occurred to me a few times, but I wonder if he is now too long in the tooth? He is a great competitor and brings value to the team, but I also wonder if it’s time to give another player a run at the position?

Sandydragon wrote:

Digby wrote:Why not Biggar at 12 if you want to move a 10 out in lieu of options at 12?

That has occurred to me a few times, but I wonder if he is now too long in the tooth? He is a great competitor and brings value to the team, but I also wonder if it’s time to give another player a run at the position?

He's not that old and he's never really had any athletic gifts to rely on. He'll make the next WC assuming it ever happens, whether he'd still be performing at the right level is an interesting question but no different to anyone else

Digby wrote:

Sandydragon wrote:

Digby wrote:Why not Biggar at 12 if you want to move a 10 out in lieu of options at 12?

That has occurred to me a few times, but I wonder if he is now too long in the tooth? He is a great competitor and brings value to the team, but I also wonder if it’s time to give another player a run at the position?

He's not that old and he's never really had any athletic gifts to rely on. He'll make the next WC assuming it ever happens, whether he'd still be performing at the right level is an interesting question but no different to anyone else

I’m not sure he will. I suspect he won’t fit Provacs game plan as well as he did Gatlands (although he wa the only choice Hayland really had for quite some time).

When Anscombe and Patchell are fit and firing on all cylinders, it will be an interesting selection.