Comments on: European Rugby Champions Cup Team of the Week: Round 3

By: Staggy

Staggy — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 14:42:36 +0000

Jacob, to be fair, Laidlaw is playing some great rugby at the moment and is also our goal kicker, so Robson hasn’t really got a chance of extended game time at Glos. Last season I thought that he was playing better than Cowan, but they stuck with the big contract player which was harsh. I think Robson can start somewhere, or at least get better playing time, but at the moment and sadly Glos is not that place. But as is rightly said he needs to pick his landing spot carefully, otherwise he could end up as another F Burns shaped spare part. Moving for the right reasons has worked for many other players Ford and 12T among them. Moving for the money ie to France or Leicester often doesn’t.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 13:33:37 +0000

I know we see glimpses of players like Robson and Spencer (who I like the look of), but if we agree that they’d be unlikely to get ahead of the SH at top clubs – isn’t that for a reason? It’s because they are not as good.

If Robson was the best 9 around, he’d start ahead of Laidlaw, Same said for Spencer.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:29:50 +0000

He’s been a revelation at Tigers. Once Flood left a lot of people assumed Burns would take over as first choice, but Williams is keeping his place on merit. Burns is probably wishing he’d stayed where he was now!!

By: Dazza

Dazza — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:24:56 +0000

His future England prospects probably depend largely on who he signs for. If he signs for one of the bigger clubs, they will probably already have other SH’s above him. If he signs for one of the others, he will have to play outstandingly well to get selected. The form of messrs Youngs and Care was not great coming into the AI’s, but they still got starts and bench spots? Dickson has lost form big time, and although there are others putting there hands up, unless they are playing top level, and starting SL will probably not even look at them. I think Robson and Spencer are two of the best SH’s around at the moment. But Spencer is playing third fiddle behind Wiggy and De Kock at Sarries and Robson needs to find a club where he’s going to get plenty of top game time. Not many clubs around he’s going to get that in the Premiership.

By: a

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 20:48:11 +0000

No Bath representative? Joke.

By: Staggy

Staggy — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 20:43:56 +0000

No idea yet. A shame to be losing him, but I can understand why. All sorts of clubs rumoured but he needs to go somewhere where he has a good chance of starting. I’ve said before that I think he is a future England SH although his form seems to have dipped a bit this season. Well wait and see I guess.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:28:04 +0000

Not really separated for their teams though Brighty. The only difference between the Leinster pack from the Quins game and the Irish pack from the SA game is no Paul O’Connell and no O’Mahony

Personally I don’t think the SA scrum is all its made out to be and any weaknesses in the Irish scrum weren’t going to be picked up on in the Aus game.

I think its an area other teams can exploit in the 6N. The Leinster scrum on Sun reminded me of the Ireland scrum vs England in the 2012 6N

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:27:40 +0000

I think it’s fair to assume it was a one off – the Irish pack is brilliant. A fully fit Irish front 5 will only see Healy and Ross start probably, with Best, O’Connoll, and Ryan making up the rest. I certainly would not worry if I was Irish.

By: brighty

brighty — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:22:03 +0000

The rumour is that Williams is being chased by The Scarlets for the start of next season – dual contract and a chance to join the world cup squad. Intriguing. Wonder if we’ll see him cursing at Cockers in a few years time?

By: brighty

brighty — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:15:27 +0000

Great to see Richard Smith on this list – the only Challenge Cup player? He’s been a real find for The Blues this season.

By: brighty

brighty — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:14:20 +0000

Aye, the Irish forwards still seem to struggle when seperated for their teams … maybe it indicates Ireland’s coach can make a team that is more than the sum of it’s parts? They didn’t seem to have any issues with the SA pack.

By: brighty

brighty — Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:08:49 +0000

The Wales 6Ns squad will be interesting. Williams has clearly done enough to be backup 10. But will Gats persist with Priestland or even call up freshly dual contracted Anscombe?