Who Would You Prefer As The Wales Hooker V England On Saturday.

Simple really.

1. Lloyd Burns
2. Huw Bennett
3. Ken Owens

For me it is Lloyd Burns, the other two aren't even first choice for their regions. Personally i thought Bennett was dreadful versus the Barbarians, that was enough to swing it for me.

Over to you.

Simple:

ANYONE BUT BENNETT but we know he will be involved.

Is Hibbard definately out as well?

If he is then for me is has to be Burns because he has been in form and played most of the season so has gametime under his belt.

Owens would be on the bench, as he needs gametime and he NOT Bennett

Lloyd Burns, same reasons as you

It has to be Burns as he's the only one whose had gametime and is on form.

Bennett is like some horrible deranged accident mascerading as a rugby player. While unfortunately Owens hasn't played at all this season, and will probably need a good few months of playing/training to get back up to international standard.

I think the selection (or not) of Bennett could be the difference between loosing or not.

Do we know the score with Hibbard, is he out or recovering etc etc?

I think the selection (or not) of Bennett could be the difference between loosing or not.

He can't be that bad, we won Grand slams with him


Does anyone fancy our chances against the English pack ?

Munkian

Watch the Babas game again, apart from missing his man time after time, he was a direct contributor to giving away two tries.

I'll take your word for it if I dont have to watch the Baa baas game again

I am not a Huw Bennett fan by any stretch of the imagination and if he could actually throw a ball to a lineout jumper he wouldn't be a bad option. Saying he's "like some horrible deranged accident mascerading as a rugby player" is a bit over the top. yes he has cost us games before with his comedy throwing but that is really the only aspect of his game that is poor. I must be suffering sleep deprevation...

damnit Munkian that makes my point totally null and void

It maybe a bit harsh - but I think he deserves some over the top slagging off! And I'm not sure about his tackling or mobility around the park either. Though his poor throwing is enough to get him dropped in any rationale universe.

I think we will all be unanimous on this debate...

Burns is not only an exciting prospect but has also been recognised in the press statements Gatland has made.

I presume Bennett will start on Saturday with Burns on the Bench, and if Burns plays well he will start the second England match and hopefully many more.

I feel for you Owens, a great talent and a nasty run with injury. Hopefully he will be more than a bench warmer.

I am open to all surprises for sure.

Do we actually know whether Lloyd Burns can throw in consistently? I remember Gatland being quoted recently as saying it was something he needed to work on.

Bennett isn't a bad player apart from his lineout - unfortunately, that goes pear-shaped so often that for me he is just not viable as an international hooker. It's always been a problem, our lineout, with brief periods where it goes okay (it was good with Garin Jenkins throwing in to Chris Wyatt for a bit).

I'll buck the trend here and go for Owens who for me is the most complete hooker in Wales. The fact that he hasn't had much game time should be the exact reason why he should play and not the opposite. Having watched Burns to date I'm not convinced he's international class. As I've said before get a winger or anyone with decent hands to throw the ball in, Bennett is good in the loose and a strong player but he cant throw with or without pressure.

Interesting opinion Ruby

Do you think Owens will be able to rediscover his previous form with so little gametime (which is my main worry)

redrugbyexile, you should make this a poll.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:redrugbyexile, you should make this a poll.

It would be skewed by all the English fans voting for Bennett

Smirnoff - IMO class is permanent and form is temporary, I honestly believe Owens has been destined to be one of Wales's best hookers for a decade only to succumb to injuries. He has the rare atributes of being an intelligent footballer (unlike Rees who I like) who can also hold himself well in the loose and is able to match it physically. I think he is invaluable for now and the future and therefore think he should be part of a strong pack with Geth and Adam either side.

Rees is a very intelligent footballer in my opinion. I think he is certainly up there with the NH hookers.

I'm happy to disagree with you on that one McKay even though I'm a big fan of Mathew Rees

I think Rees is an intelligent footballer who reads the game well and puts himself in good positions - but I agree that Owens is the more complete footballer. I am a very big fan of his and think if it wasn't for injury and Gats addiction to Bennett then he would have been nailed on for a Welsh squad place by now.

but seeing as he's been injured and is young I'm not so sure he can go straight from not playing to high intensity internationals without at least 1 or 2 regional games in between.

I would probably start with Bennett and try Owens further into the game. I did hope we saw the last of Bennett in a Wales jersey, but Burns seems to be a penalty machine. We are really thin on the ground in this position at the moment and to be honest, I wouldn't complain if Mefin Davies got the call up.

I hope that Owens does get some game time and proves himself fit enough for the World Cup, I just can't take anymore of Bennett's line outs. My God I hope Smiler makes it.

Smirnoff again I disagree on the 1 or 2 regional games before a Test match. Ideally, yes it might be useful but we don't have that luxury and often I feel that's as much a psychological thing as anything - Yes he might be a bit off the pace but now is the time for him to get 40 minutes under his belt.

Burns for me with Owens on the bench.

Not convinced by Burns, he looked off the pace and gave away penalties against the Baa Baas.

Owen, like Henson is way off being match fit, so the bench for him.

Which only leaves Bennett. I suggest Gatland tells him it's his final chance and see how that motivates him.

Hopefully we will have Rees and Hibbard fit by the WC and will NEVER have to make the decision of which one of these starts.

Burns - 1 cap - not the best thrower, penalty machine when not on form, good carrier

Owens - 0 caps - doesnt get regular gametime, hasnt played for months, looked quality for a while ages ago when he actually got a run of games

Bennett - A load of caps - Hopeless in the lineout, actually quite weak in the scrum, average loose play.

We should pick the best scrummaging Hooker for this England game. Both teams will be bit rusty so more knock one and therefor scrums. England players are unlikely to kick the ball of the paddock too much so Bennets radar problem hopefully wouldn't have too big of an impact.

Bennett is not our best scrummager and is a penalty,and if weve got a weakness at the lineout (which we will iif bennetts playing) then theyd b fools not to exploit it by kicking into the corners and stealing our throws

RubyGuby wrote:Smirnoff - IMO class is permanent and form is temporary, I honestly believe Owens has been destined to be one of Wales's best hookers for a decade only to succumb to injuries. He has the rare atributes of being an intelligent footballer (unlike Rees who I like) who can also hold himself well in the loose and is able to match it physically. I think he is invaluable for now and the future and therefore think he should be part of a strong pack with Geth and Adam either side.

Destined to be best hooker for decade, you in wrong job if you can make that decision since the time he was 14

Careful Bedford - I do read your posts on occasion - I can just spot them a mile off though

ruby,

Touche

It will be interesting to see what decision OWens makes with regards his future though.

He is still second choice behind Rees and likely to stay that wat while Rees is there.

Mitchell took the choice to move from the O's as he was second behind Adam Jones so maybe Owens will look at it similarily.

Blues need a hooker

There's lots of rugby to be played - at the moment I see no problem with both of them at the Scarlets. Rees, Owens and Hibbard for me

And a fly half...

Ken Owens is unlucky not to have been involved in the Welsh setup sooner. I remember listening to Warren Gatland being interviewed on the radio (last season - around the Autumn internationals, I think) and someone asked him why he wasn't in the squad. Gatland's response was that he'd missed his jumper twice in the recent Leicester v Scarlets Heineken Cup match.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:Ken Owens is unlucky not to have been involved in the Welsh setup sooner. I remember listening to Warren Gatland being interviewed on the radio (last season - around the Autumn internationals, I think) and someone asked him why he wasn't in the squad. Gatland's response was that he'd missed his jumper twice in the recent Leicester v Scarlets Heineken Cup match.

he'd missed his jumper twice in the recent Leicester v Scarlets Heineken Cup match!!!!!!!!!

I wish I was the interviewer; I would have said, in his last match Bennett missed his jumper, his trousers, shirt and socks - What are your thoughts on that Mr Gatland?

Ruby, the impression I get is that Gatland watches some players looking for a reason to say yes and watches others looking for a reason to say no.

I'm with you Luckless hence we have had or have Bennett, Phillips, Powell, Cooper et al - He certainly has his favourites

luckless_pedestrian wrote:Ruby, the impression I get is that Gatland watches some players looking for a reason to say yes and watches others looking for a reason to say no.

Don't we all ?

If Bennet is chucking in on saturday, i for one will be mowing the lawn at 2.30 and getting the potatoes peeled for tea.

redrugbyexile wrote:If Bennet is chucking in on saturday, i for one will be mowing the lawn at 2.30 and getting the potatoes peeled for tea.

And if, when you are mowing the lawn a rugby ball suddenly appears over your fence then at least you'll know who threw it

RubyGuby wrote:

redrugbyexile wrote:If Bennet is chucking in on saturday, i for one will be mowing the lawn at 2.30 and getting the potatoes peeled for tea.

And if, when you are mowing the lawn a rugby ball suddenly appears over your fence then at least you'll know who threw it

Both very good.

RubyGuby wrote:

redrugbyexile wrote:If Bennet is chucking in on saturday, i for one will be mowing the lawn at 2.30 and getting the potatoes peeled for tea.

And if, when you are mowing the lawn a rugby ball suddenly appears over your fence then at least you'll know who threw it

Classic LMAO!