Problem position for your country?

What would your say has been your country's problem position over the last decade or so?

For Scotland is has got to be outside centre. Lets have a look at who we have had to put up with recently:

Marcus Di Rollo
Jim Mclaren
Andy Craig
Simon Webster (!)
Rob Dewey
Andy Henderson
Brendan Laney
To name a few!

they have all been totally rubbish! Also honourable mention to the stand off jersey, although the lack of talent isn't quite as extreme.

Luckily a few years ago Max Evans and Cairnsy broke on to the scene and brought some quality back to the 13 shirt. With Joe Ansbro and even Shlong vying for the 13 shirt now it has actually become a position of strength!

So what would you say has been your country's position of extreme weakness over the last ten years or so?

For England I'd say 12 has been the biggest problem for a while. 13 has been a problem in the past too, but I'm happy with Tindall in there for now, we always look a better team with him. The balance we have in the centres is wrong though. I think Flutey is a better match than Hape, but there are questions over Riki's form and fitness. Allen would have been my choice, but he hasn't made the training squad.

Scrum-half or tighthead. For years we had no competition against Stringer or Hayes. Both solid performers, but never top class players.

Right now, Ross has come on as our tighthead and is doing ok but we have precious few quality options at 9.

Notch,Murray looks he could be a gem. O'Donoghue has shown some promise as well. We still lack some tightghead options after Ross. Although Hagan and McAllistair could be decent players.

Tighthead definately.

Im not worried about scrumhalf with Murray coming through, O'Donoghue and Porter also look very promosing for the future. Second row problems are overhyped, we have Tuohy and Ryan amongst others to take over there with the likes of Nagle longer term options.

At tighthead however I worry, McAllister is a loosehead by the way Thomond, and a very good one at that, can see him getting as much gametime as Court this coming season.

Apologies I thought he was a tighthead

Im not really sure Wales has a problem anywhere. We did have major problems at tight head and openside flanker but with the emergance of Mitchell and Warburton were pretty much covered.

We have Faletau ready to come in for Ryan Jones at 8.

Scrum half might be a problem, not through lack of players as we must have half a dozen players to go there, just that none of them are on form.

We are struggling for a GOOD reserve hooker though, Bennett is useless and cant through straight, he's such a liability when he plays it's embarrasing.

I would say that over the years that England problems have been in the centre/centre partnership.

Since Will Greenwood hung up his boots we have struggled alot there.

England do seem to be getting there or there about with Tindall and Hape, although Tindall will not be around much longer after the RWC.England do have potential coming through Tuhalagi,Tewelve trees,Trinder,Lowe,Clark,Jordan Turner Hall.

Yes England have looked bad in the past in the centre,But things are starting to look up.

For Scotland I would say that Ansboro could nail the 13 spot with a god WC and 6N, I woulkd say fly half is a problem position with Parks blowing hot and cold, Jackson not fulfilling his potential and Godman injured for a long time.

The wallabies have a few I think.

Front row remains an issue, but I think we are fine for hookers, so it is the props.

12 is up for grabs.

Number 8 unless Palu can actually get fit and refind the form of late 2009, which is the last time he wasn't injured for any length of time.

I think Wales just has a problem with depth. Our first choice players are all capable, but as soon as they get injured we're in trouble.

So I would say full back, tighthead, hooker and 2nd row are our problem areas.

Wales have a problem at 13, JD2, Roberts, Bishop and Henson are all out and out 12s. 13 is probably Hook's best position at test level, he is too flakey at 10 and too weak defensively at 12. Perhaps North will fill the shirt in the future?

I'm going to be a bit controversial here and say that Scotland's back-row MAY be a problem. Yes, they can be very good on their day (Ireland a couple of 6N ago) but other times, they can be horrid. We lack a mongrel of a ball carrier at blind-side and, as a generalisation, the back-row are just too nice especially if you compare them to bygone days of Finaly Calder, John Jefferey etc.
On balance, though, SO is our biggest problem as, unless you get that right, you could have NZ's outside backs but they ain't going to score tries if the ball comes a cropper at 10.

Wales have a problem sticking with out of form players.
Byrne at full-back. Ryan jones at 8. We were picking Phillips at 9. When Stephen jones was dropped we picked a guy who hadn't played 10 for 18 months. We used to have numerous centres, but now we don't even know our best pairing.
We're 2 months from a World cup and we have a lot of positions to sort in just 3 games that shouldn't really be used to experiment.
Our tighthead Augustus gloop i's ready to burst.
Crabby Phillips has the same sleep patterns as an owl.
Stephen jones and Martyn Williams have applied for their bus pass.
Hook doesn't know where he's playing in his next game.
Lee Byrnes lit up a big fat cigar as his 15 jersey i's being ironed as we speak.
Who's playing 9?
Bradley can't hold a pass!
Ryan jones i's neither a lock, 6 or 8.
Apart from that we're in good shape.

Tighthead. Despite a world class regular starter in Adam Jones, the level of class takes a steep drop after him. Injure him and our front row can be considered severely depleted, at least as far as scrummaging goes.

Fullback is also a major worry imo. Byrne is as unreliable as you can find and behind him who is there? Priestland and Stoddart are both part-time 15's and regularly used in other positions.

Notch wrote:Scrum-half or tighthead. For years we had no competition against Stringer or Hayes. Both solid performers, but never top class players.

Right now, Ross has come on as our tighthead and is doing ok but we have precious few quality options at 9.

I'm not sure Notch. Reddan and Boss are playing well and Murray looks like a real top class scrum half. Stringer can still do a job and there's still ...er O'Leary...I'd say we've never been stronger at 9.

I think 2nd row is currently a problem with not much coming through to replace POC, DOC, Cullen and MOD who are all in their 30's.

major worries for France are and will be on tighthead and hooker if/once mas and servat get injured or retire... the players behind them are not wordclass for sure. at least there is 2 very good LH but they are both injured! otherwise the centre partnership is in shambles thanks to the lunatic in charge of the selection...

I was intending on making it over the last 10 years or so as opposed to what the current problem positions are!

As I said Scotland struggled for a decent 13 for about a decade - have other countries suffered such a dearth of talent in a certain area for so long?

For England people have mentioned the centre situation, I think anybody who watches England as a supporter/opposition could recognise this. I don't need to elaborate further.

The other position I think England are particularly weak is the classic openside flanking position. We have guys like Tom Wood, Lewis Moody and Chris Robshaw who are converted blindsides, but don't currently use a Pocock/ McCaw style player who can get in and be a threat at the ruck area.

That isn't to say we don't have players in this mould (if not in the aforementioned quality). Tom Rees and Steffon Armitage would be names that come to mind. However, it is becoming less and less likely that they will fulfill their potential because of injury injury/ club moves.

The role of the forager has been diminished because of rule changes, but they are still a very important part of the game. I believe teams that do not have them are at a disadvantage.

For England this situation doesn't look like improving for a while. There are a few players that look promising like Matt Kvesic and Guy Mercer. These players aren't regular first teamers at their club and have much to prove.

Yep, agree with many other posters. Gatlands belated decision to look at alternatives means we either go for out of form golden oldies or largely untested rookies in many positions. I'll try and go through the positions:

Props: Loosehead is no problem, with Gethin Jenkins, Paul James and Iestyn Thomas to choose from - all experienced and good quality. Tight head Adam Jones is top notch and Mitchell did a good job in the 6N, provided both are fit not too shabby. After that it's a choice between Rhys "Mr Blobby" Thomas, Scott Andrews or Simon Gardiner - not so great.

Hooker: Matthew Rees - solid. Hibbard - injured? Then as far as I can see it's a choice between Ken Owens (just coming back from injury and lacks experience) and T Rhys Thomas (not the greatest form of late). I wouldn't put Bennett or Gareth Williams even in close proximity to the squad. Let's hope Rees stays fit!

Second row: Bradley Davies and Alun Wyn Jones can book their tickets but maybe the lack of competition is making them go stagnant. Next in line is Charteris who offers very little grunt in the tight. Ian Evans is an outside bet but is injury prone - still might be worth the risk as he seems to be the only other decent other out and out lock we've got. Next up is Lou Reed and Dom Day - both of which are improving but not spectacular. Lastly we have cover from Jon Thomas and Ryan Jones. Both can do an adequate job but certainly don't set the world on fire.

Back row: To start with a list of players who're experienced but look like they've peaked and on a downwards trend - Ryan Jones, Jon Thomas, Martyn Williams and Andy Powell. Next we have Toby Faletau, Gareth Delve, Josh Turnbull, Justin Tipuric and Rob McCusker who are pretty inexperienced at international level. Lastly Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate who seem to be the in form guys.

Half Backs: Phillips - suspended (thank goodness!) Rees - much promise but never quite seems to be top class, Peel, was world class now in decline, Knoyle - far from the finished article but at least has a sense of urgency. 10 is between Hook and Jones with Priestland bringing up the rear. Biggar isn't ready and Tovey's had no exposure at this level. Everyone else is very inexperienced.

3/4's: A mishmash of players out of form or coming through and lot's of re-jigging positionally - Hook will cover some positions, North, Williams and Halfpenny will cover the wings with Brew as back-up. JD2, Henson and Roberts covering centre - none of whom seem to be in blistering form for Wales. Scott Williams an outside bet, but boy is he green! Byrne at full back - WAAAY past his best but no great cover. Lastly Stoddart to cover FB and wing.

My 30 for the RWC:

15: Byrne, Stoddart - BIG problem position
14: Halfpenny, Brew
13: Bishop, Roberts
12: JD2, Hook
11: Williams, North
10: Jones, Priestland
9: Rees, Peel

8: Delve, Faletau
7: Warburton, Turnbull
6: Lydiate, McCusker
5: Davies, Evans
4: Jones, Charteris
3: Jones, Mitchell
2: Rees, Hibbard (Thomas if Hibbard is out)
1: Jenkins, James

Seems about as good as we can put out there.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I was intending on making it over the last 10 years or so as opposed to what the current problem positions are!

As I said Scotland struggled for a decent 13 for about a decade - have other countries suffered such a dearth of talent in a certain area for so long?

Australia and props come to mind

9 is a biggie for us. We have a lot of options but I wouldn't say any of the All Black 9s stand out in comparison to the other halves the rest of the world has.

As for the 7 and 10 thing, well it is a concern but to be honest it only is if McCaw or Carter get hurt. If that doesn't happen well it kind of turns into our biggest strength.

Disney - I wouldn't be too down - Cowan and Weepu have played perfectly well this campaign I think. They only pale slightly on the field in comparison to Genia but then again, so does every other 9 in the world game at present.

Cumbrian - I totally agree - you need a fetcher at 7 and England doesn't have one to the same standard as Pocock & McCaw in the first tier or Barclay, Wallace & Warburton in the second tier. Moody deputises well but he's definitely a blindside at his core.

RDW - sad to say, it's a toss up between our worst position over the past decade being 12, 13 or 10. We haven't had a decent fly half since Chalmers and certainly haven't had a great one since Toonie or Rutherford (depending on your age and how discerning you are).

InjuredYetAgain wrote:I'm going to be a bit controversial here and say that Scotland's back-row MAY be a problem. Yes, they can be very good on their day (Ireland a couple of 6N ago) but other times, they can be horrid. We lack a mongrel of a ball carrier at blind-side and, as a generalisation, the back-row are just too nice especially if you compare them to bygone days of Finaly Calder, John Jefferey etc.

Aye that is more than a wee bit controversial I would say! Beattie, Barclay and Brown all fit and 100% on form I would say is the one of the best Backrow units in the NH.

Just watch any game from that 6N and our backrow was the best in every match we played. Beattie is that mongrel ball carrier at 8 and Kelly Brown is a good carrier too.

Our problem I think is the wing. Untill Visser qualifies we seem to be stuck with big lumbering mountains like Walker and Danielli who can break tackles sure....but we need an Elusive runner on the Wings.....such a shame we lost Thom Evans.

roddersm wrote:

Notch wrote:Scrum-half or tighthead. For years we had no competition against Stringer or Hayes. Both solid performers, but never top class players.

Right now, Ross has come on as our tighthead and is doing ok but we have precious few quality options at 9.

I'm not sure Notch. Reddan and Boss are playing well and Murray looks like a real top class scrum half. Stringer can still do a job and there's still ...er O'Leary...I'd say we've never been stronger at 9.

I think 2nd row is currently a problem with not much coming through to replace POC, DOC, Cullen and MOD who are all in their 30's.

Rodders all I see is a sea of mediocrity in those SH's listed. Hopefully Murray can be better than the established players.
I agree 2nd row is Irleand's bigger long term problem

InjuredYetAgain wrote:I'm going to be a bit controversial here and say that Scotland's back-row MAY be a problem. Yes, they can be very good on their day (Ireland a couple of 6N ago) but other times, they can be horrid. We lack a mongrel of a ball carrier at blind-side and, as a generalisation, the back-row are just too nice especially if you compare them to bygone days of Finaly Calder, John Jefferey etc.
On balance, though, SO is our biggest problem as, unless you get that right, you could have NZ's outside backs but they ain't going to score tries if the ball comes a cropper at 10.

IYA, that is indeed controversial! But I like your use of the word 'MAY'!! I think we should be ok tho - the secret to the success of the Killer Bs was how they performed as a unit, greater than the sum of the parts. And I think we could put together other similarly designed units (Harley, Rennie, Denton for example), or use those individuals to plug gaps. Whatever, I hope that Robbo ditches the let's play Wagga at 6 cos I need to get him on the park experiment!

Agree that 10 is our biggest problem, not to say that we couldn't improve in other areas too - but with a good ten, you can build the jigsaw around them

XV is Wales' main problem IMO.

Byrne has been off form for sometime now and when he was injured we put Hook there rather than blooding someone else.

Yes we have Stoddard but his defence is to weak for VX, I have suggested either Roberts or Halfpenny but Gatland doesn't seem to be keen on that idea.

Barry Davies and Martyn Thomas are the Regional XVs I would have liked to see get some game time but both seem rather inury prone especially Thomas who has picked up two nasty leg injuries in consecutive seasons.

England - 12 (serious lack of viable options - Hape not up to it, Flutey off form and injury prone, Barritt not inspirational and Allen not trusted)

Ireland - 12 (D'Arcy blowing hot and cold this season and fans divided over Paddy Wallace)

Scotland - 10 (Godman injured, Parks off form and offers limited game plan, Jackson's never really been on form and at club level prone to disappearing during games for extended spells, whilst Weir is unproven at any level)

Wales - 15 (behind Byrne, who isn't playing well currently, there's no-one of the required standard)

I don't think we have any seious positional problems except for tight head, and perhaps even loose head. Since the retirement of Os du Randt we have had Guthro Steenkamp and Beast as replacements, both of them are good in general play, but yet do not dominate at scrum time. John smit has proven that he is not an international quality loose head either.

Although we have the likes of CJ v d Linde, Jannie du Plessis and BJ Botha, none of them are awe inspiring at scrum time.

Although not a problem area but our backline needs a balance between creative playmakers and the big solid ball carriers and defenders.

There is a young bunch of players coming through such as Juan du Jongh, Patrick Lambie, Sarel Pretorius etc which hopefully in the near future will bring a little flair to the backline.

Funny,

I think we have players who could be of the required standard at XV its just they have never been given the chance as Gatlands first thought is always to move Hook back there.

Radge - don't know if you watched much of the Scotland team in the sevens this year, but I'm tipping Lee Jones at Edinburgh to come good as a more elusive option on the wing, and don't forget we also have Max Evans out there as well.

I actually think our wing options are currently pretty decent. Even when we've had decent teams in the past our wing options haven't always been great. In 1990 we had Iwan Tukalo on one wing, not a player I ever rated highly, and then again in 1990, we had Cammy Murray and Kenny Logan on the wings, again, particularly in Murray's case, two wingers unlikely to set the touch line on fire with pace. I'd take Danielli and Evans (our current first choice wingers) over those guys, and having players like Walker and Rory Lamont in reserve is hardly a sign of weakness.

As for the comment about the back row, that is undoubtedly our position of strength, where we not only have a collection of top players individually, but a proven balanced combination.

funnyExiledScot wrote:England - 12 (serious lack of viable options - Hape not up to it, Flutey off form and injury prone, Barritt not inspirational and Allen not trusted)

Ireland - 12 (D'Arcy blowing hot and cold this season and fans divided over Paddy Wallace)

Scotland - 10 (Godman injured, Parks off form and offers limited game plan, Jackson's never really been on form and at club level prone to disappearing during games for extended spells, whilst Weir is unproven at any level)

Wales - 15 (behind Byrne, who isn't playing well currently, there's no-one of the required standard)

FES, not sure how much you got to see of it, but Weir was extremely impressive in the U20s JWC - arguably not the most testing environment, but for me he would be competing with George Ford of England for the 10 jersey in team of the tournament

Bedwordwelsh - that maybe the case, but you still can't claim that a player is of the required standard until he's proved himself at that level, thus I see 15 as Wales' weakest position.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Radge - don't know if you watched much of the Scotland team in the sevens this year, but I'm tipping Lee Jones at Edinburgh to come good as a more elusive option on the wing, and don't forget we also have Max Evans out there as well.

I actually think our wing options are currently pretty decent. Even when we've had decent teams in the past our wing options haven't always been great. In 1990 we had Iwan Tukalo on one wing, not a player I ever rated highly, and then again in 1990, we had Cammy Murray and Kenny Logan on the wings, again, particularly in Murray's case, two wingers unlikely to set the touch line on fire with pace. I'd take Danielli and Evans (our current first choice wingers) over those guys, and having players like Walker and Rory Lamont in reserve is hardly a sign of weakness.

As for the comment about the back row, that is undoubtedly our position of strength, where we not only have a collection of top players individually, but a proven balanced combination.

Quite a number of points here,

Firstly FES, sevens is one part of the game I don't enjoy. Mainly because when I played the bigger guys like myself were used to hold tackle bags and were just constantly smashed by looseforwards or made to look stupid by quick wingers in prolonged 7s training sessions in the summer months. Since then I have taken a set against it and never enjoyed the sport. However I have seen Lee Jones play at club level, and I am yet to be convinced. I certainly can't see him getting picked when players I am convionced of (Cairns and Thompson) constantly get overlooked by Robbo.

As for the wings I prefer to see Max in the centre where he can get the ball earlier and I also see Lamont as a full back, not a fan of chopping and changing players positions. Whilst I would not describe it as weak area at the moment, but a couple of injuries in the run up to the world cup and Simon Webster's name could be creeping dangerously close to the 1st XV.

ASBO - I didn't see any of the Scotland games in the U20s JWC, but in any case, I've every confidence that Weir will ultimately end up as our regular 10. Of all the options, he has the most rounded game. It was wrong of me to say "any level", he is proven at youth level, however, he isn't yet proven at club level and therefore I don't think he can yet be considered an option for Scotland. Next season, with Jackson at the WC, hopefully it can be a big season for Weir at Glasgow, and I'd be delighted if by the 6 Nations next year he was being picked for the Scotland squad on merit.

I still have a hunch that Parks will retire from internationals after the WC, which means by default that Godman, Jackson and Weir become our three options.

funnyExiledScot wrote: Ireland - 12 (D'Arcy blowing hot and cold this season and fans divided over Paddy Wallace)

Forgetting D'Arcy and Wallace 12 is still not a problem for Ireland as plenty of talent coming through.
McFadden soon and Luke Marshall in the not too distant future stand out imv.

funny,

Agree XV is our weakest position at the mo just wish he had blooded someone before now.

We seen the emergencies of Mitchell in the Autumn so it could have been done

Radge - I see Cairns as more of a 13 than Evans, and Thompson for me is certainly better at 15. He also played in the 7's, and looks far better in the more structured environment of 15 a side when at fullback. I'm with you that AR has overlooked both in the past, hopefully not so in the future.

Jones will need to oust Webster next season, but if he does get regular rugby on the opposite wing to Visser, then I reckon he'll score a lot of tries.

Anyone know where Mark Robertson has ended up? He looked a good talent until Moffatt took charge of his career and Edinburgh threw him out.

I still don't see wing as our biggest weakness. That we can even have this conversation discussing so many players is telling. When you consider the issues at 10 and 12 (where we have a choice between Morrison and Lamont, neither of whom can pass), wing to me isn't an issue.

Geoff - I'll be honest, I toyed between 12 and prop for Ireland. I rate Ross (but none of the back up options), and I do think Healy has scrummaging issues, and so does Horan (who has had injury issues recently). But I went for 12 because you have only two PROVEN options, one of which has been both brilliant and awful in equal measure this season, and the other seem to have as many fans as detractors in Ireland.

I'm sure McFadden and Marshall will be great players, but neither has big match experience or is proven at the highest level, so I don't really consider that depth, certainly not in the short term (i.e. this WC).

For Ireland:

As others have said, lock seems to be a position of doubt in the future and a lot depends on how Ryan, Tuohy, Nagle and McLaughlin continue to develop. Toner doesn't appear to be an option any longer considering he has won a cap.

Scrumhalf is an area of depth all of a sudden but unfortuatly all we have are slightly below average quality scrumhalves and sometimes worse.

Tighthead has been saved somewhat by Ross, since both hayes and Buckley are no longer performing at the standard needed. Court is probably second choice then Buckley or Hayes and none of the three are good enough.

Fullback could become an issue if Kearney can't discover form, Murphy remains unused and if Jones doesn't make the step up.

Funny that we're all having trouble at 12, isn't it? It was always an unfashionable position when I played at school.

Scotland have a blockage there because nobody can pass (I weep when I look at Williams and Cruden flicking it around under their arms) and Ireland have nobody whatsoever in any form (Darcy has not played well this season, I'm sorry).

FES - oh come on big feller. Duncan Weir is now fourth on the all-time points list in the World Junior Championships. The only people ahead of him - those losers Patrick Lambie, Quade Cooper and Zack Guildford. Surely even you cannot sustain the argument that Weir is 'unproven at any level'?

GC - I did subsequently qualify that statement and admit it was wrong. He is proven at junior level, no doubt. He isn't yet proven at ML level though, typically a prerequisite for being capped (although arguably not in Jackson's case).

Weir has a great opportunity now with Glasgow whilst Jackson is away. Let's hope he takes his chance.

I actually think our long-term option at 12 could be Jackson.

For England, our problems over the last 8 years (i.e. post the 2003 side) have been:
1 - No effective replacement for Will Greenwood at 12
2 - Hooker. Losing Thompson for several years with his neck problems left us with a number of journeymen in there (Mears, Chuter)
3 - Lack of strength in depth, or a large number of injuries meaning we've ended up with the likes of Payne getting a lot of caps
4 - Inconsistency of selection, plus chopping and changing the head coach
5 - Over-reliance on players who were the reserves to the 2003 side (the likes of Borthwick, Corry, Worsley), or keeping reverting to over the hill former stars (Dallaglio).

For Scotland, the obvious issues have been 10 and 12. Doesn't matter if you had the ABs back line from outside centre outwards, if you have Parks and Morrison in midfield they are going to be working with poor ball.

Wales issues have usually been about squad depth and selection (Phillips ahead of Peel - why???) rather than any specific weakness.

Ireland's only real issues have been in the front row and scrum half, although more a case of looking for better than good players rather than to replace hopeless ones.

France - the main issue for them at the moment is the man sitting in the head coach's seat, and his absurd selection policies. Obviously was taught everything he knows by the England cricket selectors of the mid 80s to mid 90s.

Not sure England can complain too much about the hooker situation. When Thompson got injured Mark Regan did a pretty decent job coming in at the last WC, and Mears was a little bit more than a journeyman (he did go on tour with the Lions).

I agree with your other points though, especially 5. Both Andy Robinson and Brian Ashton (and SCW during his final days) failed to pick with best available players for England, and always included a host of worthies being picked on reputation rather than actual performance. The focus seemed heavily skewed towards experience and unquantifiables like "leadership" and "character", and not enough towards quantifiables like skill and ability.

For Wales:

The weakest position is the coach, no new ideas, team selection is currently based on fitness and not skill and same limited tactics since 2009.

On the player front we are vulnerable at 10, Wales have kept faith with Jones for far too long until the 6N when Gatland realised Jones can't kick out of hand, can't make break and does not get the back line moving. The problem is that Wales have not blooded Tovey or Preistland, the Baa Baas was a perfect opportunity but no they give another cap to Jones! What happens if he gets injured in the warm up games or in the RWC, James save us again from whatever position you played the game before, but there again Wales may win!

glamorganalun wrote:For Wales:

The weakest position is the coach, no new ideas, team selection is currently based on fitness and not skill and same limited tactics since 2009.

On the player front we are vulnerable at 10, Wales have kept faith with Jones for far too long until the 6N when Gatland realised Jones can't kick out of hand, can't make break and does not get the back line moving. The problem is that Wales have not blooded Tovey or Preistland, the Baa Baas was a perfect opportunity but no they give another cap to Jones! What happens if he gets injured in the warm up games or in the RWC, James save us again from whatever position you played the game before, but there again Wales may win!

Alun - you want to see how Stevie played for us at the end of the season. I agree that he's weak at kicking out of hand which is one reason why I feel utterly infuriated and frustrated with Gatland. Trouble is that now he's got Stevie playing that ping pong game he sits back looking for the kick. He won't get the backline moving from there because it invites the rush defence to smash the centres. When he plays for the Scarlets he playes on the gainline, looks to put a runner through a gap. If there's no options he looks to attack the rush defence dogleg and recycles. He looks like a diferent player for us. Having said that, the Scarlets pack and Tav do seem to have a sense of urgency when it comes to the ruck which does help to provide quick ball for Stevie - always a bonus!

Why should Gatland have "blooded" Tovey? I've seen nothing to suggest he's got it in him to be an international player.

I'll give you Priestland.

As I said before, 15 would get my vote as Wales weakest position, but actually 13 is also a weakness since Shanklin dropped out of contention. I'd move North inside a slot personally, but at present there's really only Roberts and Hook in the squad who have played there for Wales, and I think both are better suited to other postions.

With Rees, Hibbard and Owens, I don't think hooker is such a problem for you. Not compared to what happens at 15 if Byrne is injured.

Actually, Tovey has showed some real glimpses of class but got injured back at the start of last season - only just started to find his form again. Weak tackler though. Personally I'd put Roberts at fullback. The more I think about it the more convinced I am that he could be superb from 15. Outside centre isn't as much of a problem as inside centre. If it's a creative 12 we want then it'll have to be Hook - Henson is waaaaaay off the boil. Otherwise it's got to be JD2. The only other options are Beck at the Ospreys and Smith at the Dragons - RWC is too soon for them. 13, you could use Roberts, North (well pointed out - it's where he played all his youth rugby), Bishop, Hook and even Scott Williams at a push. Shame Maule is injured, he would've been useful cover.

You could use Scott Williams or Andrew Bishop at 13, but if you did that you'd have a pretty poor team.

Going forward (post-WC), I do think North is the obvious answer at 13, and if you paired him with JD2 at centre then that looks pretty competitive to me, assuming you put Roberts at 15 as you suggest (although if Byrne comes back to form then I'd be surprised if the 15 shirt didn't go back to him). That would give whoever you picked at 10 (Hook or Priestland) some almightly running targets to pick from. You could then pick from Halfpenny, Brew, Fussell, Stoddart and James for the wings, assuming Shane hangs up his boots.

There is no way in hell that Gatland will put Roberts at 15, when was the last time he kicked the ball in a match with any degree of accuracy or vison ?