Most missed players

So as we see this year's Championship draw to a close, it does appear to be a season below par in quality and skills on display. So which players from the past few years do you think are most missed either for your team, or from an entertainment perspective?

For me I've missed seeing the obvious one in Shane and his electricity on the field. Also Andy Powell just for his character and entertainment value.

Whilst not a fan of the guy Mirco Begamasco was always good value just for his aggression and knack of flaring up the opposition.

POC and Ferris were sorely missed this campaign. As is Bowe.

David Wallace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiH-1oof_wQ

Dan Lydiate for Wales, to a degree an in form Priestland too. Biggar has done a great job for Wales at ten, but he can't spark an attack the same way Priestland can when he is at his best...!

Ronan O'Gara. Would have been a great option to bring off the bench against France in a tight match to drop over a goal when it counted.

France.

Billy vunipola and Ben Morgan (both flipping injured), england have sorely missed a quality 8 with Tom Woods sizeable talents wasted at the back.

Aurelian Rougerie.

Will Greenwood.

I was going to add Richard Hill, but I think in Wood and Robshaw we now have two credible replacements. Maybe by 2015 Twelvetrees will be able to fill Will's sizeable boots.

maestegmafia wrote:Dan Lydiate for Wales, to a degree an in form Priestland too. Biggar has done a great job for Wales at ten, but he can't spark an attack the same way Priestland can when he is at his best...!

I cat't agree regarding RP he has been very poor and lacks confidence, Wales last year won the GS despite him playing and he was rubbish in the AI's and the Aus tour. Biggar is OK in that he is safe and kicks much better than RP also Biggar will get better whereas RP will always be patchy. Biggar is one of the best goal kickers around but we are not seeing the complete Dan Biggar because Halfpenny has the kicking job.

I believe Lydiate was missed in the first game as R Jones was not playing and Dan will be missed against England for the same reason.

sirtidychris wrote:Billy vunipola and Ben Morgan (both flipping injured), england have sorely missed a quality 8 with Tom Woods sizeable talents wasted at the back.

I agree with this. We've missed a natural 8 in all the games since the Scotland game.

I'd say we've probably missed an on-form Ben Foden as well. Him at 11 with Brown at 15 has a better balance to it, but his form hasn't warranted selection.

We've missed Corbisiero as well. I think he's a much better player than both Marler and Vunipola (who aren't bad). Our scrum always looks stronger with him.

We missed Rennie, big time. We have been getting mullered in the breakdowns in his absence.

Wales miss shane williams.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:We missed Rennie, big time. We have been getting mullered in the breakdowns in his absence.

or barclay

or fusaro

or any openside for that matter

yeah I think the whole tournament misses Shane Williams (except maybe Scotland)

Gavin Henson and Dan Lydiate at their best would have been major assets.

Fin calder!

robbo277 wrote:

sirtidychris wrote:Billy vunipola and Ben Morgan (both flipping injured), england have sorely missed a quality 8 with Tom Woods sizeable talents wasted at the back.

I agree with this. We've missed a natural 8 in all the games since the Scotland game.

I'd say we've probably missed an on-form Ben Foden as well. Him at 11 with Brown at 15 has a better balance to it, but his form hasn't warranted selection.

We've missed Corbisiero as well. I think he's a much better player than both Marler and Vunipola (who aren't bad). Our scrum always looks stronger with him.

Fair points, though looking to the longer term I think the big difference between Corbs and his understudies is one of experience. Corbs was a freak prop like Cole who seemed to emerge fully formed at a young age. The time that Marler and Mako have spent on the pitch will have stood them in good stead for 2015.

The challenge right now is to find a good understudy for Morgan who can also start gaining experience.

maestegmafia wrote:Dan Lydiate for Wales, to a degree an in form Priestland too. Biggar has done a great job for Wales at ten, but he can't spark an attack the same way Priestland can when he is at his best...!

Lydiate - yes with bells on
Jones - this weekend we will. his form has been immense and he is the only real leader in the team
Charteris - workrate and lineout
Priest - really? think biggar has made shirt his own now

Poorfour wrote:

robbo277 wrote:

sirtidychris wrote:Billy vunipola and Ben Morgan (both flipping injured), england have sorely missed a quality 8 with Tom Woods sizeable talents wasted at the back.

I agree with this. We've missed a natural 8 in all the games since the Scotland game.

I'd say we've probably missed an on-form Ben Foden as well. Him at 11 with Brown at 15 has a better balance to it, but his form hasn't warranted selection.

We've missed Corbisiero as well. I think he's a much better player than both Marler and Vunipola (who aren't bad). Our scrum always looks stronger with him.

Fair points, though looking to the longer term I think the big difference between Corbs and his understudies is one of experience. Corbs was a freak prop like Cole who seemed to emerge fully formed at a young age. The time that Marler and Mako have spent on the pitch will have stood them in good stead for 2015.

The challenge right now is to find a good understudy for Morgan who can also start gaining experience.

Vunipola is the option, but he's spent a lot of time injured. Waldrom appears to have played himself out of contention. Not sure if we would have done better with him, but I'm not a huge fan of his.

Frankly, you've all been missing me playing for Scotland. If I have one skill (which has survived through my medically-enforced retirement), it is to make Max Evans look good.

Next to me, he's freaking Pele.

IanBru wrote:Frankly, you've all been missing me playing for Scotland. If I have one skill (which has survived through my medically-enforced retirement), it is to make Max Evans look good.

Next to me, he's freaking Pele.

A squashed Pele though

Byrne
Scott Williams
Priestland
Peel
Lydiate
Charteris
Bradley Davies
Craig Mitchell

Priestland as he first appeared on the international scene was a fine player. Decent pace and ability both to attack on his own and release the players around him. Talking to mates who watch Scarletts he was pretty pants when he first started playing for them - then turned things around.

Andy Powell

Taffineastbourne wrote:Gavin Henson and Dan Lydiate at their best would have been major assets.

Yeh Dan Gavin and of course Shane