Henson at 12

Let's get him in for italy. He could really make Wales a great side. The guy is diffrent class

I understand that Jamie Roberst may not be fit enough in time for the Italy game.

The question is, who will take his place?

majesticimperialman wrote:I understand that Jamie Roberst may not be fit enough in time for the Italy game.

The question is, who will take his pace?

Dunno Madge, I suppose we'll have to make do with Saturday's match winner.

majesticimperialman wrote:I understand that Jamie Roberst may not be fit enough in time for the Italy game.

The question is, who will take his pace?

Funny I thought he'd lost it too.

This board is starting to resemble PR where the last answer to every poll is Henson.

Scott Williams in, Beck on the bench.

Henson was a different class several years ago.

Williams to start, Beck on the bench.

I agree with Scott Williams to start but the bench spot is a bit more iffy. Beck is an out an out centre and only covers one position although he was in top form for the Ospreys. Henson covers three positions so offers more versatility. I guess it depends on if scabby is over his rash or not. If Wellies is on the bench then Hensons versatility could be handy. If its Hook then we dont need Hensons versatality to cover so Beck.

Very true Tycroes

Has Henson actually earned a place in the team? I cant see that he has done too much to warrent a place. I personally feel that it would be a backward step to select Henson.

Why Henson, he still hasn't played regulalry enough for the Blues and hasn't even made the bench for any of our 3 games yet.

Even if Roberts is fit I would rest him and I would say a certain Scott Williams might be favourite to start alongside JD.

I would like to see maybe Beck given bit of game time off the bench if all is going well.

Henson, NO.

Scott Williams, Hooky, Ashley Beck are all way in front of him.

When he starts turning in regular outstanding displays for the blues then he will be considered along with everyone else pushing for a place, until then a definite no.

Scott to start and Beck and Hook on the bench, although I have a feeling Gatland may put Hook in at 12 to help Priestland out.

doc,

Will having Hook at 12 really help him. Hook himself hasn't been anywhere near his best.

I would go with a back line of :

Phillips (Williams after 50 mins)
Priestland

North
Williams
Davies (Beck after 50)
Cuthbert

Halfpenny

The changes after 50 are totally dependant on how the game is going.

Bedford

I totally agree with the team you have there and it is exactly what I would select. I just have a feeling that given Priestland's performance last week he may want another 10 type player who could step in to that slot to take some of the pressure of Rhys.

When Hook has come on in the first few games (at 15) he has tended to do that, ie step up into midfield.

Well i'm sure it will be Davies at 12 and Williams at 13. I think Davies has to play 12 more often for Wales, it gives them different options going forward without having to use Roberts with the crash ball every attack. I think Williams and Davies gelled quite well in the England game. I'd have Beck on the bench as he warrants a place having played quality rugby week in week out for the Osprey's. I'd rather Gav play week in week out for the Blues for the remainder of the season and then look to take him to Australia in the summer. He's done alright for the Blues, played decent against Ulster and then Munster, not too bad teams those two. It's good for Wales and the Blues if Henson regains form and fitness, it isn't a negative in the slightest.

doctornickolas wrote:Henson, NO.

Scott Williams, Hooky, Ashley Beck are all way in front of him.

When he starts turning in regular outstanding displays for the blues then he will be considered along with everyone else pushing for a place, until then a definite no.

What he said. People seem to be forgetting what great rugby Ashley Beck's been playing this season.

wjeremiah wrote:Let's get him in for italy. He could really make Wales a great side. The guy is diffrent class

Well done.

I am not having a go at Henson because he was/is an extremely talented player. I just dont see anything that he has done to justify a promotion to the national team ahead of players that have been playing regularly and well for their club.

it would be nice to use the italy game to have a look at some of our squad, but we did that before and it cost us dear.

i'd rather see hook at 12 than henson against italy.

henson should get plenty of game time at the blues over the rest of the season, then he could be a very useful asset come the summer tour

But who would make way for Henson on the summer tour dogtooth? Williams or Beck? Both who have been playing very well this year?

To me, if Henson were to go on tour then he would have to be producing some top form and playing much better than the afore mentioned.

eirbilly

no one needs lose a place. henson is in the current wales squad. he is not being used and is being released to the blues every weekend. gats is bringing him up to speed.

henson will probably go on tour(if fit) and will be usefull bench cover, if we cant fill our bench.

given his few touches at the blues over the last few weeks you can see henson is a quality player. i expect he will be a feature of the wales squad up to the next world cup. his skills are too good to be ignore.

he really is a class player.

dogtooth wrote:given his few touches at the blues over the last few weeks you can see henson is a quality player.

Yes, his forward pass for the Blues' try against Ulster was sublime.

I am left in no doubts of his quality dogtooth and too be honest had even forgotton that he was in the Welsh squad

Williams to get the centre spot with Roberts rested whether he is fit or not and he should get a full game if he isnt injured. With Hook likely to play this weekend he'll get the FH cover spot on the bench. Personally i think we should have a fullback or winger taking the last bench spot so we could give both Halfpenny and North less than a full game.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:

dogtooth wrote:given his few touches at the blues over the last few weeks you can see henson is a quality player.

Yes, his forward pass for the Blues' try against Ulster was sublime.

mmmm, he has thrown a couple of very flat passes recently. just a little bit of fine tuning. he is almost back to his best.

I think we are likely to see

Phillips (Lloyd Williams\Webb if we are looking comfortable near the 60)
Priestland
North
Hook (move to 10 and Beck/Scott Williams on at 65 if we are looking ok)
Davies
Cuthbert
Halfpenny (move to 11 and Byrne/Liam Williams on at 70 if we are doing ok)

That way Gats can have the experimentation he seems to like for the Italian match, whilst not realy bending too much from a tried and tested side.

henson at 12 wont be long in coming, nobody has the killer pass he has. and if williams had done a henson off load ( where are our off loads?, essential in speeding up the game) we would have scored a try.

jamie roberts too predictable. and although rp had a mare, thank god hook wasnt on the bench, he may have been brought on and we would have lost, no question......just my opinion of course

Henson is yesterdays man and has not put his hand up, attitude on the field at the moment questionable - Williams in if Dr J is injured with Beck on the bench - No brainer.

Ashley Beck has great hands and has been playing well consistently this season.

Has, the henson ship not sailed yet?

I thought the thing had sunk by now.

biltongbek wrote:Has, the henson ship not sailed yet?

I thought the thing had sunk by now.

Nah I think Henson is another one of those players that even if he had retired people would be calling for his inclusion in the squad.

biltongbek wrote:Has, the henson ship not sailed yet?

I thought the thing had sunk by now.

Henson is more a costa allegra than the costa concordia. Hes been adrift for a while but the engines are switched back on and he is beggining to show form for the blues. As opposed to being capsized on an italian rock, although .......

http://www.espnscrum.com/rabodirect-pro12-2011-12/rugby/match/144680.html

look at his stats v munster, he is still not at his best but he is starting to show form.

LOOKED AT THE STATS, GAV IS CERTAINLY WELL UP IN THE TOP 4 PLAYERS FOR WHOLE MATCH STATS. HIS RUNNING STYLE BELIES HIS PERFORMANCE, AND THOSE WHO QUESTION ATTITUDE.......STATS SAY OTHERWISE. LOOKING GOOD.