Jonathan Davies vs Manu Tuilagi

This potential centre battle on saturday could well be between two lions test contendors in 2013. as a welshman, i have seen JD play on many occasion and can easly say he has all the ability and talent needed to be a world class centre. In a slightly younger tuilagi, i must confess i havent seen much of him other than youtube videos but he too looks like real deal as well as been raved by none other than english coach martin johnson. Anyway i was wondering, which one does 606 think is the greater talent?

Seen a bit of Davies, and he looks decent, but I've never seen an English player like Tuilagi before. Seeing what his brother did to Australia it seems to me that he'll go to the top of the world game if he fullfils his potential.

Davies has 3 years on Tuilagi and is much further along in his career. Tuilagi has managed to push his way into Leicester 15 but still has a long way go.

DaveM wrote:but I've never seen an English player like Tuilagi before.

Definitely asking for it there

Back on topic though, I really hope Tuilagi can go and fulfill his potential. From what I've seen of Davies though, he's a quality player too. Both look like they need the right players around them. Players like O'Driscoll, Jauzion, SBW and going back in time slightly Greenwood could play with any 10 and any other centre (in my opinion). In my opinion Tuilagi (and from what I have seen JD2) could do with the more creative players around them.

robbo277 wrote:In my opinion Tuilagi (and from what I have seen JD2) could do with the more creative players around them.

That's very true, Robbo. The problem Jonathan Davies has had is that he's been paired with Jamie Roberts, who has been instructed to run straight and hard and hasn't looked to pass. The partnership doesn't work. A midfield of Hook and Davies might get the kind of performances from Davies that he puts in for the Scarlets.

Where is Davies' best position, inside or outside centre?

He has played outside to Roberts and chances are he will play outside Henson to

Luckless - I haven't seen Davies play much at regional level but I'm prepared to accept from those that have that he's a talent. For Wales he has disappointed so far - he hasn't been bad but neither has he shone. The pairing with Roberts doesn't work and if Davies is going to make it at international level he needs a different partner. Problem is - I just can't see Gatland dropping Roberts if he is fit.

Offload, you're right about Roberts. Gatland can't see beyond him. There's another thread suggesting that he's going to play Roberts outside Henson at Twickenham on Saturday.

lp,

Gatland has seen the Henson/Roberts combo as his ideal partenership for a long time now.

They have only played like that once (I think) against Italy few years back then Gatland never had the option until now to try it again.

We all know Henson will be given as much game time as required and I still think Roberts is one of our main players we just need to be cleverer in how we use him.

That's definitely true, Bedford - as it stands we use him exclusively as a battering ram and the opposition know what's coming. It's dumb rugby.

Id back Tuilagi in a fight

bedfordwelsh wrote:Where is Davies' best position, inside or outside centre?

He has played outside to Roberts and chances are he will play outside Henson to

Regionally he wore the 12 jersey, however he did not really play inside centre, he just played centre, and moved between the roles as the play dictated. So personally I would say that he can do both roles pretty well.

He can do both roles well but he needs someone to draw defenders. I think a partnership with Henson would be good if Henson can find anything like a decent level. Nobody really expects that so I would have Davies 12, Roberts 13 and they can chop and change. If Roberts can get an offload going Davies will run into space all day...

HammerofThunor wrote:Davies has 3 years on Tuilagi and is much further along in his career. Tuilagi has managed to push his way into Leicester 15 but still has a long way go.

That said JD2 was out of rugby for a long time due to a broken neck !


It's incredible he's got over his injury and progressed to Test rugby

Wow broken neck? I did not know that.

mckay1402 wrote:Wow broken neck? I did not know that.

During a Scarlets match with a french team I think...

I'm not sure Davies needs a certain kind of player to play with - granted the partnership with Roberts hasn't blossomed, but I'd say thats more to do with Gats using Roberts solely as a battering ram and not even as a decoy runner or anything else.

At the Scarlets Davies as done really well switching between 12 and 13 and playing along side creative players like King and williams and then more physical players like Maule.

munkian wrote:

mckay1402 wrote:Wow broken neck? I did not know that.

During a Scarlets match with a french team I think...

Likewise Dan Lydiate.

Both have come back from severe injuries so its a credit to them and the level of care they recieve these dyas that either are even playing. Let alone about to go to their first (of many) World Cups.

Christ, I'm not awake. It was Lydiate that broke his neck... coffee time

Some JD2 plays for the uninitiated...!

Highlights

https://youtu.be/dZ0-LeDbWPg

An Interview

https://youtu.be/sdEmE8nn-bE

Really nice lad and a great talent for such a young guy, time will tell whether he can develop what he does so easily on the pitch to the international arena, but hopefully RWC 2011.

Depends on how the backlines alongside them play. JD struggles to make an impact as the current Welsh line up doesn't do enough to make use of his off the shoulder runnnig and his speed. However, Manu will gain a hefty advantage in he will likely be playing in his preferred 13 position with his club mate at ten and so will be feeding off the mix of passes he knows and works well from. Manu could make a big entrance but he needs a leader next to him in defence otherwise he may come out of the line looking to smash. Dangerous tactic against the fleet footed JD. JD might find it difficult to deal with the options to Manu's game, he can smash, hand off and plain run round the opposition. Youtube his try vs Sarries for an example of all three.

munkian wrote:Christ, I'm not awake. It was Lydiate that broke his neck... coffee time

Munkian,

Didn't comment on JD2 because wasn't sure whether he had or hadn't broken his neck but new Danny has.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

munkian wrote:Christ, I'm not awake. It was Lydiate that broke his neck... coffee time

Munkian,

Didn't comment on JD2 because wasn't sure whether he had or hadn't broken his neck but new Danny has.

I had the two mixed up for some reason. Though they look similar in their scrum caps, thats my excuse

munkian wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

munkian wrote:Christ, I'm not awake. It was Lydiate that broke his neck... coffee time

Munkian,

Didn't comment on JD2 because wasn't sure whether he had or hadn't broken his neck but new Danny has.

I had the two mixed up for some reason. Though they look similar in their scrum caps, thats my excuse

It's a good job your not a fan of American football that could get very confusing...!