Lets talk about Wales!

First topic message reminder :

We knew Wales can win European grand slams and championships, but the monkey on the back of the players was for them to win in the Southern hemisphere. In all fairness that has now been accomplished.

So many of them have played a huge part in this series, surely now Gatland and these players can go to the next level?

15 Leigh Halfpenny
14 Alex Cuthbert
13 Jonathan Davies
12 Jamie Roberts
11 George North
10
9 Mike Phillips
8 Toby Faletau
7 Sam Warburton
6 Dan Lydiate
5
4 Alun-Wyn Jones
3 Adam Jones
2 Richard Hibbard
1

It's quite incredible that all of these players have now started a test game and won in Australia. While Gethin Jenkins probably would of played some role had he stayed fit.

This could be a massive shot in the arm to these players and maybe a new golden era dawn for us!  

Very keen to see how the Blues manage the exciting young talented backs at their disposal.Cory Allen looks a real talent.I was going to say prospect but I reckon that he is further along the path from the little that I have seen of him.

Cory Allen looks quality. Still don't think much of Owen Williams.

Owen Williams looks like a 7's player at the moment;plenty of gas but a bit lightweight.He may fill out a bit and hopefully keep most of his wheels.

The Blues should be playing Williams and Allen as much as possible this season. They'll only develop and improve with game time. I hope to god Hewitt and Evans aren't the starting centres next year!!

Biltong wrote:

Dontheman wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:

Biltong wrote:It was still the Lions, not Wales that won the series.  

If we had lost I think one or two would have disagreed with you;) 

Funnily enough first guy I spoke  to, English, who'd played in NZ said "it was a Welsh team anyway"   Not in a nice way. You can't win!

Well, irrespective of how one sees it, the challenge now for Wales is to find a way to win against SA, OZ and NZ, They need to start winning their home matches, that should be their fortress.

and first up is your boys Bilt, so do ya feel lucky pal, well do ya?

Dontheman wrote:

Biltong wrote:

Dontheman wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:

Biltong wrote:It was still the Lions, not Wales that won the series.  

If we had lost I think one or two would have disagreed with you;) 

Funnily enough first guy I spoke  to, English, who'd played in NZ said "it was a Welsh team anyway"   Not in a nice way. You can't win!

Well, irrespective of how one sees it, the challenge now for Wales is to find a way to win against SA, OZ and NZ, They need to start winning their home matches, that should be their fortress.

and first up is your boys Bilt, so do ya feel lucky pal, well do ya?

 Bring it on Don.

Biltong wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Casartelli wrote:It's fair to say that too many of my fellow Welsh fans have been getting a little carried away since Saturday.  

The British and Irish Lions team (massively bolstered by Sean O'Brien), in the second half of the final test, finally blew away an under-strength Aussie 15 and a full strength Welsh side could probably compete "on their day" with anyone except New Zealand, but we're still as capable of losing away to Romania as we are of destroying England at home.  'tis the Welsh way and probably always will be.  

There is no strength in depth and talk of 'best ever 20 year old tight head' etc etc is inebriated club-talk at best. (Got bent in half by a semi-geriatric Duncan Jones).  Long way to go yet to prove any sort of consistency at test level.

How many Grandslams, Six Nations Championships, ten players in the test side of a winning Lions tours and RWC semi Finals do you need to "prove any sort of consistency at test level"...?

10 ? 20 ?

It isn't about how many Six Nations championships, how many Grandslams or how many players Wales had in the Lions team Maes, it is about beating all potential those teams that you are bound to meet in RWC finals and semi finals regularly.

Wales has not done that yet.

Bill most of our international Rugby is Six Nations and we do beat the other teams. In our next RWC group it is only Australia that we have not recently regularly beaten, we have two years to change those 1 or 2 point loses into wins.

maestegmafia wrote:

Biltong wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Casartelli wrote:It's fair to say that too many of my fellow Welsh fans have been getting a little carried away since Saturday.  

The British and Irish Lions team (massively bolstered by Sean O'Brien), in the second half of the final test, finally blew away an under-strength Aussie 15 and a full strength Welsh side could probably compete "on their day" with anyone except New Zealand, but we're still as capable of losing away to Romania as we are of destroying England at home.  'tis the Welsh way and probably always will be.  

There is no strength in depth and talk of 'best ever 20 year old tight head' etc etc is inebriated club-talk at best. (Got bent in half by a semi-geriatric Duncan Jones).  Long way to go yet to prove any sort of consistency at test level.

How many Grandslams, Six Nations Championships, ten players in the test side of a winning Lions tours and RWC semi Finals do you need to "prove any sort of consistency at test level"...?

10 ? 20 ?

It isn't about how many Six Nations championships, how many Grandslams or how many players Wales had in the Lions team Maes, it is about beating all potential those teams that you are bound to meet in RWC finals and semi finals regularly.

Wales has not done that yet.

Bill most of our international Rugby is Six Nations and we do beat the other teams. In our next RWC group it is only Australia that we have not recently regularly beaten, we have two years to change those 1 or 2 point loses into wins.

Maes, as much as Wales have been successful in the North, they have failed miserably against the SH three. You ask how many players of Wales must be in the Lions team before consistency can be recognised. It still wasn't Wales beating Australia, it was the Lions. Wales has been successful in the Six Nations for the past 6 years.

Against France, England and Ireland Wales played 22 tests in the last six years and won 12, that is not all that consistent, even though they have won more titles than the others. During the same period Wales have beaten Australia once, in total playing 21 matches against SA, OZ and NZ, with 20 losses.

Even when you look at their home record, they have lost 2 and won 1 against Ireland in this time, and only beaten Australia once in five attempts.

I understand the optimism, Wales have a very good side, but it needs to be better and start by winning their home matches to be a real contender.

During this time NZ has a home record of 92%
SA 75%
FRA 76%
ENG 62%
OZ 65%
IRE 59%
WALES 50%

therein lies your problem, your home venue is not a fortress, of the six "other" contenders AUS, SA, IRELAND and NZ have a better winning ratio against Wales in Wales.

Biltong wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Biltong wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Casartelli wrote:It's fair to say that too many of my fellow Welsh fans have been getting a little carried away since Saturday.  

The British and Irish Lions team (massively bolstered by Sean O'Brien), in the second half of the final test, finally blew away an under-strength Aussie 15 and a full strength Welsh side could probably compete "on their day" with anyone except New Zealand, but we're still as capable of losing away to Romania as we are of destroying England at home.  'tis the Welsh way and probably always will be.  

There is no strength in depth and talk of 'best ever 20 year old tight head' etc etc is inebriated club-talk at best. (Got bent in half by a semi-geriatric Duncan Jones).  Long way to go yet to prove any sort of consistency at test level.

How many Grandslams, Six Nations Championships, ten players in the test side of a winning Lions tours and RWC semi Finals do you need to "prove any sort of consistency at test level"...?

10 ? 20 ?

It isn't about how many Six Nations championships, how many Grandslams or how many players Wales had in the Lions team Maes, it is about beating all potential those teams that you are bound to meet in RWC finals and semi finals regularly.

Wales has not done that yet.

Bill most of our international Rugby is Six Nations and we do beat the other teams. In our next RWC group it is only Australia that we have not recently regularly beaten, we have two years to change those 1 or 2 point loses into wins.

Maes, as much as Wales have been successful in the North, they have failed miserably against the SH three. You ask how many players of Wales must be in the Lions team before consistency can be recognised. It still wasn't Wales beating Australia, it was the Lions. Wales has been successful in the Six Nations for the past 6 years.

Against France, England and Ireland Wales played 22 tests in the last six years and won 12, that is not all that consistent, even though they have won more titles than the others. During the same period Wales have beaten Australia once, in total playing 21 matches against SA, OZ and NZ, with 20 losses.

Even when you look at their home record, they have lost 2 and won 1 against Ireland in this time, and only beaten Australia once in five attempts.

I understand the optimism, Wales have a very good side, but it needs to be better and start by winning their home matches to be a real contender.

During this time NZ has a home record of 92%
SA 75%
FRA 76%
ENG 62%
OZ 65%
IRE 59%
WALES 50%

therein lies your problem, your home venue is not a fortress, of the six "other" contenders AUS, SA, IRELAND and NZ have a better winning ratio against Wales in Wales.

Biltong

I think it is unfair to look at six years record of a Nations squad that has an average age under 26. The majority of the players had nothing to do but be inspired by the Welsh players that won three GSs in 8 years, beat Australia nearly beat Boks and ABs, there are only three or four players in the squad who had anything to do with those results.

I heed your argument, it is a fact that Wales have not beaten SH teams with the regularity that they have beaten NH teams, but that said neither has anyone else in the NH. Its kind of a moot point.

In that Six year period Wales have lost 8 games out of 30 in the Six Nations, England have lost 9, France 11, Ireland 12. This is a tough competition with four very closely matched sides. Wales don't need to make the MS a fortress, for 2015 it is winning away from home that we need to concentrate on. We have a good record of winning in England in recent years.

maestegmafia wrote:

Biltong wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Biltong wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Casartelli wrote:It's fair to say that too many of my fellow Welsh fans have been getting a little carried away since Saturday.  

The British and Irish Lions team (massively bolstered by Sean O'Brien), in the second half of the final test, finally blew away an under-strength Aussie 15 and a full strength Welsh side could probably compete "on their day" with anyone except New Zealand, but we're still as capable of losing away to Romania as we are of destroying England at home.  'tis the Welsh way and probably always will be.  

There is no strength in depth and talk of 'best ever 20 year old tight head' etc etc is inebriated club-talk at best. (Got bent in half by a semi-geriatric Duncan Jones).  Long way to go yet to prove any sort of consistency at test level.

How many Grandslams, Six Nations Championships, ten players in the test side of a winning Lions tours and RWC semi Finals do you need to "prove any sort of consistency at test level"...?

10 ? 20 ?

It isn't about how many Six Nations championships, how many Grandslams or how many players Wales had in the Lions team Maes, it is about beating all potential those teams that you are bound to meet in RWC finals and semi finals regularly.

Wales has not done that yet.

Bill most of our international Rugby is Six Nations and we do beat the other teams. In our next RWC group it is only Australia that we have not recently regularly beaten, we have two years to change those 1 or 2 point loses into wins.

Maes, as much as Wales have been successful in the North, they have failed miserably against the SH three. You ask how many players of Wales must be in the Lions team before consistency can be recognised. It still wasn't Wales beating Australia, it was the Lions. Wales has been successful in the Six Nations for the past 6 years.

Against France, England and Ireland Wales played 22 tests in the last six years and won 12, that is not all that consistent, even though they have won more titles than the others. During the same period Wales have beaten Australia once, in total playing 21 matches against SA, OZ and NZ, with 20 losses.

Even when you look at their home record, they have lost 2 and won 1 against Ireland in this time, and only beaten Australia once in five attempts.

I understand the optimism, Wales have a very good side, but it needs to be better and start by winning their home matches to be a real contender.

During this time NZ has a home record of 92%
SA 75%
FRA 76%
ENG 62%
OZ 65%
IRE 59%
WALES 50%

therein lies your problem, your home venue is not a fortress, of the six "other" contenders AUS, SA, IRELAND and NZ have a better winning ratio against Wales in Wales.

Biltong

I think it is unfair to look at six years record of a Nations squad that has an average age under 26. The majority of the players had nothing to do but be inspired by the Welsh players that won three GSs in 8 years, beat Australia nearly beat Boks and ABs, there are only three or four players in the squad who had anything to do with those results.

I heed your argument, it is a fact that Wales have not beaten SH teams with the regularity that they have beaten NH teams, but that said neither has anyone else in the NH. Its kind of a moot point.

In that Six year period Wales have lost 8 games out of 30 in the Six Nations, England have lost 9, France 11, Ireland 12. This is a tough competition with four very closely matched sides. Wales don't need to make the MS a fortress, for 2015 it is winning away from home that we need to concentrate on. We have a good record of winning in England in recent years.

Maes, it doesn't matter what the other NH teams did in the SH, their performances is irrelevant to Wales. I disagree with you that Wales doesn't need a fortress.

You are concerned about the RWC 2015, let me ask you this, do you want Wales to become a world beating team or just stand a chance to win the 2015 RWC?

either way the process start by winning home matches against SH teams, that is the easiest way to do it and the logical process to follow, beat OZ, SA and NZ at home with Your support base there to edge them. Then win away from home.

The likely hood is at some point you will meet SA, OZ or NZ during the play offs, if you go into that match still not having given the monkey a spanking, I sincerely doubt the team will have the necessary belief to do it at the world cup.

As for becoming a world force, it all start somewhere, where you have to dominate all and sundry at home, then away from home and only then will teams fear you.

lets just see how we do in the AI before thinking about world cup two years time .that's long way off and has two strong teams in England and Australia . can't remember the forth but . poor sods .

It's a horrible group for all three. Great for everyone else!

For me, Wales nees to start beating Oz and SA at home regularly. The you begin to look at away wins and possibly NZ. We have the players and if we play like we did against England, the attacking game to really hurt the big sides. If we can stay free from injuries, which always seems to crop up coming into the AI's, then I fancy us to beat Oz and SA in the Autumn series this year.

Even the most blinkered Welsh fan would surely have to admit that our record against SH sides is poor at best and thats the area we need to improve in whilst at same time not let our level against NH sids suffer.

We really reallyyyyyyyy need to look at developing a viable alternative to A Jones and I also think Gethins time has come, I would like to see Gill be given th bulk of AI games at L/Head.

No9, what with Phillips hint at retirement is another area we are not blessed in, for me neither Knoyle or Li Williams are upto mark, would like to see J Evans get some gametime during AIs

Bedford,

I agree, sick of seeing the close loses against the SH sides, we've got the game to beat them and its time to start doing it in the AI's simple as.

Agree with Gill, he's be underused ever since his excellent performance against Ireland in 2012, although I would say judging by Jenkins' performances in the 6N, he's still got something to offer. Would also say Paul James should be next in line for the LH spot, mr reliable and a very good loose head.

Again agree with you on Evans re Phillips replacement. Would also like to see Rhodri Williams get some serious game time down at the Scarlets, looks a superb talent.

If Jonny Evans can continue or improve last season's form, they're going to have to start rewarding that with a callup for Wales, at least with the squad. Although if Richie Rees starts producing the goods again when he plays for the Dragons, he could be back in the frame too. Those two could really push each other.

Rhodri Jones could still be an option at loosehead, although I don't know if the Scarlets are still trying to make a tighthead out of him.

I can't see Rees ousting Evans

Rees is a very limited player. Evans and Tovey would be my choice of halfbacks.

RubyGuby wrote: We are in a great position and are ready to challenge for 2nd and 3rd place in the rankings - It's wonderful but we must not get carried away - I believe we have good strength in depth but we are capable of losing to England and Ireland in next years 6 Nations so lets enjoy the rightful optimism whilst proceeding with level heads and caution

 

Like Ruby said.

RubyGuby wrote: We are in a great position and are ready to challenge for 2nd and 3rd place in the rankings - It's wonderful but we must not get carried away - I believe we have good strength in depth but we are capable of losing to England and Ireland in next years 6 Nations so lets enjoy the rightful optimism whilst proceeding with level heads and caution

The next Six Nations should be tighter than this years. Scotland and Italy are on the up, Italy have a great reputation in Rome now and Scots were a very tough but inexperienced team. France looked much better in NZ, Ireland are blooding some very exciting youngsters and England have managed second place twice in a row.

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:lets just see how we do in the AI  before thinking about world cup two years time .that's long way off and has two strong teams in England and Australia . can't remember the forth but . poor sods .

Sensible comment Jimmy -

How do Welsh fans see themselves against Australia in the final test of 2013 when the French based players will be missing?
Who do you think will be playing 6,9,10,12. ? & will the squad depth be strong enough? Of course a lot depends on the Australian squad but I think it should be at least as strong as against the Lions & they will have a new coach & strong incentive.

well with no French base players perhaps they move Sam at 6 tips at seven LW at nine Scott Williams 12 and jd 13 . i personally think without our strongest team we can't beat Australia . Jenkins is back but i seriously think we should start replacing our two props .

biggar or priestland at 10

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:biggar or priestland  at 10

Scrumhalf as mentioned further back in this thread is really hotting up and competition will be great.

I dont think we will lose players as most clubs in France happily strike deals for release with the WRU all the time. It is English based players that are more of an issue because of their blwdi PRL...

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:well with no French base players perhaps they move Sam at 6    tips at seven   LW  at nine    Scott Williams  12 and jd 13 .  i personally think  without our strongest team we can't beat Australia . Jenkins is back but i seriously think we should start replacing our two props .

Yes agreed. It will be a challenge any new props coming in. But the half back pairing as usual will be key as well.
I don't think the release of Lydiate & Roberts is a given.

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:lets just see how we do in the AI  before thinking about world cup two years time .that's long way off and has two strong teams in England and Australia . can't remember the forth but . poor sods .

Sensible comment Jimmy -

How do Welsh fans see themselves against Australia in the final test of 2013 when the French based players will be missing?
Who do you think will be playing 6,9,10,12. ? & will the squad depth be strong enough? Of course a lot depends on the Australian squad but I think it should be at least as strong as against the Lions & they will have a new coach & strong incentive.

For me

No6 - Lydiate will always be missed but we have options of putting Warburton or R Jones there so have options

No9 - Well Phillips could be missed due to the lack of real options to replace him, this is one area we need to develop as for me Li Williams nor Knoyle are upto it

No10 - Didn't realise any of our regular options at 10 were playing in France, it will be rotated between Biggar and Priestland

No12 - Roberts will be missed if we play our normal way, there is the option of playing JD in his natural 12 and using Sc Williams at 13

JD2 and SW would be my preferred mid field

Roberts still has a place in the set up because he gets us that go forward and a target for the back row but again whilst we have a young and settled side we still need to find alternatives to the so called 1st team squad

Jack Dixon is a big lump as is Pat Leach

Then lets hope we start developing them, I really hope Gill gets majority of AIs but suspect it will be James and Jenkins.

Johnny Evans is another one I would love to see in the AI but again I suspect it will be Li Williams and Knoyle.

Ieuan Jones is another who, with Toby away a lot will get some good game time

gavin Hanson been knocked out by a bath team mate in a pub . well done that's a record Im sure

People Gethin's time has not come. He and Adam will make it to the next world cup as long as no major injuries come along.
To me they have been the best prop partnership in 10 years. Gethin will be back to best come the Autumn series, he didn't go on the lions so he will be having regular game time. Don't forget in the six nations after he had got a few games under his belt he was great again vs Italy and outstanding against England (captained us to one hell of a victory).
When Geth is fit and on form no prop LH would have a chance. He was the first modern day prop and is still going strong. Have belief in him.
I'm just praying that Gethin and Adam can stay fit until the next world cup, have belief in them

 Cory Allen is the new Jamie Roberts, I'm sure he will have a break through season next year

For wales for the world cup the three big games are england away in this 6nations (as i think they are getting stronger so if Wales dont beat them in 2014 they wont in 2015). The other two are their games against Aus (if they font win one of them by 10pts they will lose in the group)

Wales are ok against NH teams but miles ahead.

In the RWC i expect england Wales snd Aus to end on about the same pts so could come down to pts difference and LBP TBP.

The England, Wales and Australia pool is going to be impossible to predict purely because of where these teams historically stand, where they will be at the time under their respective coaches and injuries.

South Africa under Jake White had one focus prior to the 2007 RWC and that was to beat England at home, at the time we had a poor run against England and the win in the Autumn of 2006 at Twickenham was the turning point for us.

Agree with you Brendan, ales to qualify through that pool must focus on two things above all over the next two season, beat OZ and beat England, consistently, I am sure they have the belief they can beat England, but there must be a wavering belief over Australia, and like you say, England are very capable of beating OZ, OZ are very capable of beating Wales and Wales are very capable of beating England, so you'll have a stand off, the other team (not sure who it will be) will be in for one hell of a time as these three will go all out to pulverise them in order to gain as many point as they can.

The other issue i see with Wales is they are a confidance team. When they get on a run of wins/losses they ard hard to get off it.

The french game was one france were the better team in the first half and really should have won but wales won and went on a run. If Wales win thier first game in the AIs they could go on a run but they as likely to lose all of them.

Also Wales are missing a strong carrier from the back row like Morgan or SOB to go with Toby. They also need a more creative half backs hut that is on its way to being fixed. Priestland in the world cup snd slam was runing the show. Now tbe FH is there just to get the ball to the centres.

first game is against south Africa . not played them obviously since that one point lost over them in world cup . so bill has south Africa improved since then ?

I don't know where we stand Jimmy. We have a new coach, our forwards at times have been impossible to withstand but then they also had games where they struggled with smart teams.

Our backs is a thumbsuck at the moment as everyone and his dog is going overseas so I don't have any idea what Meyer is going to do, does he go cold turkey and select the youngsters who in my view are much more exciting on attack but inexperienced or does he stick to the stale backline of the past?

we only ever beaten u once so i can't imagine the out come be any different.i like seeing New blood come in the Welsh side too . seasoned players tend to get stale after a while practically in friendlys . i can't see why the wru book an easier team to start with like tonga then play the big boys . not their doing of coarse but in the last couple of six nations we always seem to play either England or Ireland first game . obviously you seen what happened this year . lucky we got Italy this time around . looking forward seeing boks bill .

I would like Meyer to bring in the new boys, even if they will be a bit green, the old guard has had their run and should now quietly disappear over the horizon.

I doubt he will do that, and until he does our game won't evolve, but before the Autumn internationals we have a minor challenge against Argentina, Australia and New Zealand, something I am not so sure I look forward too.

Wales will also be without George North for the Aus game I assume

I think that will be the biggest loss - he is our biggest weapon at the moment, and we don't really have many replacements - Liam Williams to 11 is the only one I would be confident in.

  yes just a little minor challenge . can't see anyone stopping New Zealand at mo . with their players u only need to be half decent coach to get results .

Well, there is one aspect I am going to look for a huge improvement from our boys and that is the fact that they need to play to the referee, we by far are the most incompetent team in doing that, we need to learn how to be smarter at the breakdown, and hopefully it will be a major focus of Meyer.

its pretty sad thats how the game has developed different refs see the break down differently . the lions first game against Australia we couldn't even compete for the ball . poor Sam warBurton didnt know what to do with himself after bods infringements

Do we know who people play in the quarters. If it is the France Ireland group that would be different from SA or NZ. I can see Wales coming second in the group but not first.

We saw in the last RWC how england was helped with how the fixtures worked out so the could build to Scotland and Agrientina. Ireland were helped with an easy game v USA while Aus were beaten up by italy. When you play teams can be so important in these tournaments.

What is the rule with overseas players in Wales is it they can play or if they can get time off for the extra things

Brendan wrote:Do we know who people play in the quarters.  If it is the France Ireland group that would be different from SA or NZ.  I can see Wales coming second in the group but not first.

We saw in the last RWC how england was helped with how the fixtures worked out so the could build to Scotland and Agrientina.  Ireland were helped with an easy game v USA while Aus were beaten up by italy.  When you play teams can be so important in these tournaments.

What is the rule with overseas players in Wales is it they can play or if they can get time off for the extra things

Runner up will likely play SA

Winner will likely play Samoa

If a team from Pool A wins the WC, it will be one of the toughest (if not the toughest) run in ever -

although the winner would likely play Argentina/France /Ireland in the semi finals.

The runner up would have to play SA then New Zealand to reach the final!

wow shows those run of bad games last year really messed up our world cup chances but if our target is too reach the final we got too beat the best

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:wow shows those run of bad games last year really messed up our world cup chances but if our target is too reach the final  we got too beat the best

As an irish man we along with france and argintina would like to thank you for yor kindness in allowing us to have an easier route to the final:hug:

Just to warn you all - Ronan O'Gara has been given the additional responsibility for recruitment for Racing Metro. He'd be very familiar with all those young Welsh players  

"
Lets talk about Wales!"

what again!!

come on

Looking at the Lions team in the final test we need to decide who can come in and do the jobs that Corbs and SOB did. I think we're covered at 7 and if Jenkins can remain free from injury then he will be a great addition if he replicates last years 6 Nations form. I'm not so sure about Paul James after the AI's, I think Gill would be a much better option.
The halfbacks need change. I'm a big fan of Phillips but this tour showed that age has caught up with him, he is not the player he once was. Lloyd Williams is one of a small few to enhance his reputation in Japan. The other picks should be the form No.9's like Jonny Evans and Gareth Davies; GD in particular is suited to 'Gatlandball.' It shocks me that he is so often overlooked. RP and Biggar also play this Gatlandball quite well. Going forward our best 10's should be Priestland and Patchell, they're capable of releasing the backs,this is where Biggar falls short.
Physically dominating teams for 60 then going in for the kill in the final quarter is predictable and easier said than done but it can be extremely effective. The question is can we do that to teams like South Africa?