Best Bench Players

Ok so the best XV will always play but there are some players who are more suited to being on the bench than others. Some are fantastic impact players, others need time to get into a match. Irelands defense coach Les Kiss said one of the best things about O'Gara was that when he was on the bench he wouldn't simply wait to come on. He is constantly thinking about what his role would be if he came on and how he would have to play.

Who are the best bench options out there.

"when he was on the bench he wouldn't simply wait to come on"

Bit like Lee Byrne then ....

I'll be honest that actually made me chuckle Biscuit!

Aha ha ha.

Anyway.

Paul James, Ryan Jones and James Hook. Ultility, impact, experience. In Hook's case I think he's the sort of player who can perform better coming on in a game in the second half, when defenders start to fall off tackles.

One of Ferris, Wallace or O'Brien will be a fantastic back-row impact sub during the RWC if all are fit. I think any one would be champing at the bit to get in if they don't start. Can you imagine Ferris coming on in the last twenty, flattening tired, sore bodies?

I think his optimism and determination would stop him gettig discouraged by not starting.

Didn't James Hook come on as a sub for Wales against South Africa and then straightaway throw a loose pass from which Jean de Villiers scored an interception try?

Then again, he's liable to throw those when he starts a game, too...

Clearly he's a starting player but twice this year - Cardiff Blues & Harlequins - I was astounded by the imapct O'Connell made off the bench. Even just the process of bringing him on did so much for his team mates. Didn't exactly work against Ospreys though

Banahan will have his own bench with his name on it!

Scotland used to use Jason White as an impact sub in his early days and he was an awesome impact player. Similarly Peter Walton used to do likewise to great effect.

I thought Leicester used Dan Cole pretty well from the bench towards the end of the season. He seemed to do very well against tiring opposition props.

If Ireland had a good scrummaging loosehead, then I think Healy would be very well suited to the impact sub role, but given he's your best loosie, he has to start.

Peter Stringer is doing a decent job as the impacet scrum half for Munster and Ireland.He gives a quicker ball to our backs which gives them a greater attacking platform.He changes the speed of the game which is great!

Sean O'Brien or Stephen Ferris for Ireland. Give one of them the start at blindside then unleash the other one!

Dare I say the name....

Jonny Wilkinson.

The one that I always remember is Dan Luger. He was a hungry attacker and with his pace against a tiring (and often already beaten) side he'd cause them all sorts of issues.

I don't believe he was ever given the dues he really deserved mainly being overshadowed by Robinson, Cohen & Lewsey.

IMO a good bench player is one that can slip into a few positions or that is an expert at their position but getting on a bit. Using Wales as an example
Paul James, A.N.Other (we have no hookers), Ryan Jones, Martyn Williams, Dwayne Peel, James Hook, Morgan Stoddard

And a bad bench player is one whose ability to cover a few positions masks the fact that he's no great shakes in any of them and allows him to amass an impressive haul of caps. Jonathan Thomas, anyone?

Ayoola Erinle!