The official "Even London Irish have got a thread" Scarlets thread 2015/16

by Chunky Norwich Tue 11 Aug 2015, 7:30 pm

First topic message reminder :

Come on bois.

by Chunky Norwich Fri 13 Nov 2015, 10:48 am

Expect King may be due some bench duty too, with Parkes and Gareth Owen seen as a starting combo.

by Chunky Norwich Fri 13 Nov 2015, 11:05 am

Shings starting at 10. No Dan Jones. No Ken Owens

by BamBam Fri 13 Nov 2015, 12:28 pm

Is the JD2 signing immediate guys?

by SecretFly Fri 13 Nov 2015, 12:30 pm

The signing might be immediate... the start date is next season

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 17 Nov 2015, 11:24 am

Scarlets have promised their fans some good news every Tuesday in the lead up to Christmas.

Todays good new Aaron Shingler has signed a contract extension for the 2016/17 season and beyond (funny way of wording it, but all our contracts seem to be like that now).

by Chunky Norwich Tue 17 Nov 2015, 1:23 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Scarlets have promised their fans some good news every Tuesday in the lead up to Christmas.

Todays good new Aaron Shingler has signed a contract extension for the 2016/17 season and beyond (funny way of wording it, but all our contracts seem to be like that now).

It's a 2 year extension.

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 17 Nov 2015, 1:28 pm

I assumed it would have been 2 years. I really don't quite get the '2016/17 and beyond' crap though.

by LordDowlais Tue 17 Nov 2015, 1:32 pm

Well Scarlets reckon that they are not chasing George North, but they are in for Rhys Patchell:-

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/34841553

by mikey_dragon Tue 17 Nov 2015, 7:51 pm

Chunky Norwich wrote:Expect King may be due some bench duty too, with Parkes and Gareth Owen seen as a starting combo.

It's been a decent midfield so far, but Owen is looking a bit fat and slow don't you think? As talented as he is he's never really kicked on - which means Ospreys will re-sign him once his Scarlets contract is up... I would be looking at Parked and Collins at centre until Williams and then Davies return.

by mikey_dragon Tue 17 Nov 2015, 7:53 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:Scarlets have promised their fans some good news every Tuesday in the lead up to Christmas.

Todays good new Aaron Shingler has signed a contract extension for the 2016/17 season and beyond (funny way of wording it, but all our contracts seem to be like that now).

Are you all that happy about securing the services of Europe's dumbest flanker for the foreseeable future? It looks more like "okay news" rather than good news but each to their own.

by mikey_dragon Tue 17 Nov 2015, 7:54 pm

LordDowlais wrote:Well Scarlets reckon that they are not chasing George North, but they are in for Rhys Patchell:-

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/34841553

It's the wru chasing North isn't it? Once he's signed I guess then they find him a regional team. It's highly likely to be Scarlets.

by mikey_dragon Tue 17 Nov 2015, 7:55 pm

As a side note guys, what was with the Scarlets Premiership Select's thrashing at the hands of Bedford in the BIC? You had a good team out as well.

by Chunky Norwich Tue 17 Nov 2015, 8:15 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:Scarlets have promised their fans some good news every Tuesday in the lead up to Christmas.

Todays good new Aaron Shingler has signed a contract extension for the 2016/17 season and beyond (funny way of wording it, but all our contracts seem to be like that now).

Are you all that happy about securing the services of Europe's dumbest flanker for the foreseeable future? It looks more like "okay news" rather than good news but each to their own.

Shingler is Europe's dumbest flanker? Do you watch rugby?

by Chunky Norwich Tue 17 Nov 2015, 8:16 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:
LordDowlais wrote:Well Scarlets reckon that they are not chasing George North, but they are in for Rhys Patchell:-

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/34841553

It's the wru chasing North isn't it? Once he's signed I guess then they find him a regional team. It's highly likely to be Scarlets.

North has just bought a cottage near Northampton. His missus trains up the road. He wants to sign a new Northampton contract.

by mikey_dragon Tue 17 Nov 2015, 8:25 pm

Chunky Norwich wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
ScarletSpiderman wrote:Scarlets have promised their fans some good news every Tuesday in the lead up to Christmas.

Todays good new Aaron Shingler has signed a contract extension for the 2016/17 season and beyond (funny way of wording it, but all our contracts seem to be like that now).

Are you all that happy about securing the services of Europe's dumbest flanker for the foreseeable future? It looks more like "okay news" rather than good news but each to their own.

Shingler is Europe's dumbest flanker? Do you watch rugby?

Yes and yes.

by Chunky Norwich Tue 17 Nov 2015, 8:31 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:

Yes and yes.

Well I hope your opinion is shared with everybody else in the entire rugby world. Shingler is just the sort of player the Scarlets need.

by mikey_dragon Tue 17 Nov 2015, 8:35 pm

Chunky Norwich wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:

Yes and yes.

Well I hope your opinion is shared with everybody else in the entire rugby world. Shingler is just the sort of player the Scarlets need.

Nah. I'd say they need more of a Lydiate type 6. Not even sure what Shingler is, but he's very similar to Tom Croft in that he causes unbalance in back-rows. Particularly at Scarlets where they play with two No.7's.

I know Shingler isn't the dumbest in Europe, I just said it for dramatic effect (and it worked). He's certainly up there though. Being a good athlete isn't enough, he needs to be smarter at the breakdown and less prone to error; something after years of spectating I'm convinced we'll never see.

by Chunky Norwich Tue 17 Nov 2015, 9:17 pm

mikey_dragon wrote: I just said it for dramatic effect (and it worked).

And I get accused of being a wind up merchant? Shocked

by mikey_dragon Tue 17 Nov 2015, 9:28 pm

Chunky Norwich wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote: I just said it for dramatic effect (and it worked).

And I get accused of being a wind up merchant?

I can tell you it isn't uncommon to be Welsh and get accused of wummery when firmly standing by your point. I know all too well.

by **George Carlin** Wed 18 Nov 2015, 9:39 am

https://www.606v2.com/t61297-champions-cup-pool-3-scarlets-v-racing-92-21-november

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 18 Nov 2015, 6:00 pm

Shingler is exactly the type of player that fits Pivac's system. He is a very good line out operator (our line really goes to hell in a hand basket when he is missing). He has the pace around the feels which complements our style of play. He puts in the tackles, as much as any other back rower. And let's not forget him sitting Hibbard on his rump, when he should have been smashed.

Also with regards the ballenve of the back row, he has been praised by pundits for being the player who is allowing Barclay and Cubby to shine, but chopping down the opposition. So much like Lydiate, but with other skills too.

by mikey_dragon Wed 18 Nov 2015, 6:02 pm

I'm yet to see it, though Cubby really is some player - the guy is everywhere. Shingler makes too many errors for me, and isn't very bright. Some of the penalties he gave away in Leinster were downright daft. Where is Pitman nowadays SS? He looked promising in his first game for you, and really fit in with your style of play.

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 18 Nov 2015, 8:29 pm

He's rip a bicep, as did Allen. To be honest Pitman seemed to have promise, but has issues with handling the ball, as in catching it, passing it, or literally just holding it when he is running. On top of that I believe his personality doesn't fit with the type of person Pivac wants n the squad, hence being dropped to the RFC side last season, and us signing. Allen and Condy. Personally I think he will be playing elsewhere next season, maybe he could be a replacement for Faletau at Dave?

by mikey_dragon Wed 18 Nov 2015, 8:51 pm

He was a good offloader of the ball, and his carrying and work rate was also very good. We don't want deadweight to be honest - if he can't even make the premiership select then he won't be any good for us, and funnily enough I think that'll be the exact reason we sign him.

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 18 Nov 2015, 10:44 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:He was a good offloader of the ball, and his carrying and work rate was also very good. We don't want deadweight to be honest - if he can't even make the premiership select then he won't be any good for us, and funnily enough I think that'll be the exact reason we sign him.

He is injured. That is why he didn't make the premier select.

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 24 Nov 2015, 12:13 pm

The Good News Tuesdays news for today, scrum half Aled Davies has signed a new contract to keep him at the Parc for another few seasons. four more bits of good new to go.

by mikey_dragon Tue 24 Nov 2015, 2:19 pm

okay

.

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 24 Nov 2015, 9:00 pm

Go on, I'll bite (been resisting all day)

by mikey_dragon Wed 25 Nov 2015, 2:44 pm

SS

, we just have a difference of opinion is all. Nothing to bite there. I honestly can't wait for next Tuesday's good news.

by LordDowlais Wed 25 Nov 2015, 4:36 pm

I know it's not Tuesday but here is some more good news from Scarlets:-

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/jones-set-to-return-from-injury-for-scarlets/

by ScarletSpiderman Wed 25 Nov 2015, 5:22 pm

Surely Rhodri is back too soon, the six nations are ages away. He may actually get to play a few games before Gats injures him again.

Also looks like Pivac has had his response about the poor ref job against Leinster

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/scarlets-given-thumbs-up-guinness-10501096

by mikey_dragon Wed 25 Nov 2015, 7:41 pm

SS, at the time I thought your team was hard done by throughout that match the RDS. I'm glad the Scarlets and Pivac have received clarity, and will take forward the knowledge that they did nothing wrong so can continue to play their style of rugby. It's also vaguely amusing as I remember a bunch of Irish crying at the time and trying to shout down the calls that we discussed on here. Also, I hope in future that we also bring such things to the top dogs' attention - I particularly wish we had done so with Mr Whitehouse after we played you at Parc-Y a couple weeks ago.

by LordDowlais Thu 26 Nov 2015, 4:40 pm

It must be Thursday news now then as well:-

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rhys-patchell-leave-cardiff-blues-10396392

Welcome to West Wales Rhys.

by 2ndtimeround Thu 26 Nov 2015, 7:15 pm

by Cardiff Dave Thu 26 Nov 2015, 8:21 pm

LordDowlais wrote:It must be Thursday news now then as well:-

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/rhys-patchell-leave-cardiff-blues-10396392

Welcome to West Wales Rhys.

Silly old sod LD. Check the date mun.

by mikey_dragon Sun 29 Nov 2015, 2:53 pm

Aled Davies so far looking better than Shingler and Thomas have done all season, hmmmm.

by Chunky Norwich Sun 29 Nov 2015, 6:31 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:Aled Davies so far looking better than Shingler and Thomas have done all season, hmmmm.

eh?

by mikey_dragon Sun 29 Nov 2015, 7:43 pm

You can't read English? It was Thomas I meant to type, silly me for thinking you were smart enough to figure that out.

by VinceWLB Mon 30 Nov 2015, 5:09 pm

I see Scarlets are chasing Halfpenny, i hope nobody read my post the wrong way around but with Liam Williams already there i feel it would be money unwisely spent. As it is Scarlets could have a back line of: Gareth Davies, Patchell, Parkes, Scott Williams, JD2, DTH, Liam Williams.

Not too shabby indeed but they will need FORWARDS in order to be able to show their qualities. Scarlets should focus on locks and back row players first, imo.

by ScarletSpiderman Mon 30 Nov 2015, 5:57 pm

Vince, to be honest I wasn't keen on bringing in 1/2p either, however Patchel is a hit and miss kicker, so if we did get 1/2p we would have a good goal kicker to edge the close games.

I think our forwards are not that bad, but we could do with another lump of a lock (Paulinho isn't good enough), and a healthy no.8. But otherwise we seem OK.

Also, I believe if we are to live with the provinces we need to have depth in the squad to allow rotation. If we got 1/2p, we would be looking at a squad of (assuming we lose a few who are at the end of their contracts)

LH: Rob Evans*, Phil John, Dylan Evans, Wyn Jones
HK: Ken Ownes*, Emyr Phillips, Kirby Myhill, Rob Ellias
TH: Samson Lee*, Rhodri Jones*, Pete Edwards, Will Thomas
LK: Jake Ball*, Lewis Rawlings, Tom Price, George Earle
BR: Aaron Shingler*, James Davies, John Barclay*, Morgan Allen, Jack Condy, Tom Phillips

SH: Gareth Davies*, Aled Davies, Keiran Hardy
FH: Rhys Patchel*, Dan Jones, Aled Thomas
CTR: John Davies*, Scott Williams*, Regan King*, Hadleigh Parkes
B3: Liam Williams*, DTH Van Der Merwe*, Leigh Halfpenny*, Harry Robinson* (?), Tom Williams (?)

* international capped (Robinson/Williams are both out of contract this season I believe, and not sure if we will keep them).

by VinceWLB Mon 30 Nov 2015, 7:21 pm

Would be interesting to see who of 1/2p or Liam Williams goes to the wing if he does sign.. Think Patchell is a decent kicker myself, better than anything you have at the moment anyway.
Lock is an obvious area of concern unless Earle can find his form of his first season. Phil John and Pete Edwards aren't getting any younger as well so you may need another prop too.

A ball carrying 8/6 should be a top priority for you, Shingler doesn't make the hard yards and coupled with 2 opensides it doesn't really work. In modern day rugby you need at least 2 or 3 ball carrying machine in the pack who can make the hard yards and most importantly draw and tires defenders.

Anyway some great news coming from Wales now that Lewis has gone (what a coincidence) and if Rumours about Blues signing 6 top players are true we could be heading to a big change at the top of the league with the provinces falling back a bit.

by ScarletSpiderman Mon 30 Nov 2015, 10:10 pm

I wouldn't buy too much into the Blues signing six top players, they peddled the same line the season before last, then brought in Vosawi, Turnbull, Hoeatta and Smiler as the top signings, plus two more that I can't even remember. Unless something drastic happens they are staying in the challenge cup next season which will hamper their pulling power.

by mikey_dragon Tue 01 Dec 2015, 1:24 am

ScarletSpiderman wrote:I wouldn't buy too much into the Blues signing six top players, they peddled the same line the season before last, then brought in Vosawi, Turnbull, Hoeatta and Smiler as the top signings, plus two more that I can't even remember. Unless something drastic happens they are staying in the challenge cup next season which will hamper their pulling power.

And to think I got excited for them laughing

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 01 Dec 2015, 7:52 am

Byron Heywood has signed on for another few seasons as defence coach. So looks like next season will be the first in ages where we go into it with an untouched coaching staff.

by mikey_dragon Tue 01 Dec 2015, 12:37 pm

Do people actually rate that guy?

by Guest Tue 01 Dec 2015, 1:49 pm

Bad news about James Davies. I assume Barclay will move back to 7, but which 8 will play over Allen and Condy?

by VinceWLB Tue 01 Dec 2015, 5:05 pm

James Davies played EVERY minutes so far this season. With 2 very good open side on the squad this is incredibly poor player's management. An injury was bound to happen.

by ScarletSpiderman Tue 01 Dec 2015, 7:18 pm

With Allen and Pitman out injured, and Condy/Phillips in their first season as pro players, I guess the theory was having Cubby and Barclay both playing was better than fielding novice players.

We are fortunate (if that's the right word), Allen is due back from injury soon

by wayne Sat 05 Dec 2015, 4:31 pm

ScarletSpiderman wrote:With Allen and Pitman out injured, and Condy/Phillips in their first season as pro players, I guess the theory was having Cubby and Barclay both playing was better than fielding novice players.

We are fortunate (if that's the right word), Allen is due back from injury soon

SS, what is going on with the Scott Williams DC, I said on a couple of the other threads last weekend, that there was good news coming, not only for us, the information I was given at our game against the Blues was that Biggar and Scott would be announced as DCs in the next week or so, as you know Dan has signed, and it is all over our board that what is being said on yours is that the offer to Scott has been withdrawn, do you know anything.

by ScarletSpiderman Sat 05 Dec 2015, 8:36 pm

I would assume the new will break on Tnewsday this week, or not. Honestly I haven't got a clue sadly

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