Centre problems for the Lions

First topic message reminder :

Does anyone see any glimmer of hope for the lions in their possible centre pairings?
Looking back on the Wales v. England game the best piece of centre play was the run, dummy and offload by Tipuric for Cuthbert's 2nd try.
Who does anyone realistically see as the 1st choice pairing?

I was probably thinking the AI.

I'm pretty sure it's the same Matt Scott of Scotland & Edinburgh we've both been watching, we obviously just have different opinions on him.

I still think he's average.

Fairy snuff - as you say its opinions and the lions is a year to soon for him.

TJ wrote:Fairy snuff - as you say its opinions and the lions is a year to soon for him.

+1

Got Bath available on AP game Blue, mustard squad..top 4 currently.

They have your fav player too, Issie Dagg

Dag???? I wouldn't waste my time with that clubmen

TBH mate I was going to take Exeter a while ago but everytime I try to get involved RL turns hectic, it's like the game is bad luck!!!

Haha, I'd happily welcome you on board mate. We need a knowledgable manager and you know your stuff.

It doesn't take too much commitment, fancy giving it a trial run?

I'm starting to get convinced the game is bad luck mate, everytime I sign up something happens in real life.

Plus it's all about the politics..

Nah man, we've got rid of the bad eggs lol

Bath & Exeter available

https://www.606v2.com/t38683-fantasy-aviva-season-1-homepage

Just knock up a team if you fancy it

One guy who impressed me was Marshall, if he were a full season in i wuold pick him as bolter but against the best backs int he world we cannot have inexperience at 12/13 so i suppose, best of a bad bunch, a combo of BOD, Roberts, JD2, Manu

Marshall is a victim of Kidney not giving him a chance earlier in the season. However he's one for the future so it could be between him and 36 for the "go along for the ride" spot.

In fairness Aukster, Marshall was still behind the great Paddy Wallace at Ulster before the 6N, and was ruled out of the Wales and England games with injury.

Kidney picked Gilroy who is behind Trimble at Ulster so don't know how much he is swayed by provincial pecking order. At Ulster Marshall v Wallace was a marginal call in favour of Paddy pre- AIs, but switched the other way after.

D'Arcy had his best game for a while against Los Pumas but that was the perfect opportunity to spring Marshall from the bench for his first cap.



. After the AIs there was a distinct move to play Marshall ahead of Wallace when both were fit, but yes Marshall broke his finger at a bad time for him, although he probably should have lined out against Argentina

Against Australia I'd pick a centre partnership with guile over power any day. The Aus backs may not be the biggest and may not put in monster tackles but they're some of the smartest defenders around when it comes to always putting their man on the floor, isolating attackers then letting their back-row tear you apart on the ground.

As such I'd look for a centre partnership to outplay them rather than overpower them especially when you consider the heavy duty wingers we can deploy around the fringes if we need to head down route one.

My first choice would be 12.Davies 13.O'Driscoll - those two are both more than capable of making a break themselves and will ensure that the ball gets to the wings. Also they can create a simple way of changing the point of attack by playing forward runners off the centres rather than the half-backs if needed!

1.Healy 2.Best 3.Jones 4.Hines 5.POC 6.O'Brien 7.Tipuric 8.Heaslip/Faletau
9.Youngs 10.Sexton 11.North 12.Davies 13.BOD 14.Bowe 15.Halfpenny

16.Hibbard 17.Sheridan 18.Cole 19.Wyn Jones 20.Robshaw 21.Care 22.Farrell 23.Tuilagi

I think centre is one of the positions where the ultimate test starters will very much be decided based on tour form. There aren't really two frontrunners at the moment in my opinion.

I think we can assume that Roberts, Tuilagi and Jonathan Davies will all go. That probably leaves two further spaces for specialist centres, a choice between the following:

Twelvetrees and Barritt from England

Marshall and BOD from Ireland (possibly Earls)

Matt Scott from Scotland

Scott Williams from Wales

Much will come down to how Gatland and Howley see the backs functioning, as there are some strongly contrasting options there. Barritt would give you solid defensive strength, and a dependable allround game at 12, however Twelvetrees, Marshall and Scott are probably more creative options.

If you want a 13, then Earls is your pacey option, but always seems to fluff his lines having done the hard stuff. BOD gives you that experience and leadership from the centres, but is now more a clever player than the devastating match winner he once was. Scott Williams very much an outside bet at 13.

Given the versatility of Roberts and Davies, who can both play 12 or 13, Gatland may go for two options at 12 - Twelvetrees and Marshall potentially.

Still haven't decided whether I'd take BOD yet. How did he get on against Wasps?

He didn't - he's still serving his suspension from stamping during the Italy game. Think he is available again for Pro12 this weekend.