Scrumhalf Choices of the Home Nations

Comfort wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

Comfort wrote:Bill - sometimes, I wonder why i even bother with my other eye.

before anything gets started and goes too off-topic,im going to leave it at this, that old saying...

forwards win you games, the backs decide by how much.

Comfort, these days the referee decides by how much.

well actually, i suppose that should be more along the lines of "The ballboy wins you games, the TMO decides by how much" if you're a welsh fan!

Comfort wrote:I still think theres a global referreing conspiracy to repay Wales after Warbs was incorrectly sent off costing them the world cup (they would definitely have beaten NZ in the final - pffft). Thats why we won the grandslam dont you know

maestegmafia wrote:I don't think there are many former scrum halfs contributing above.

beshocked wrote:

EnglishReign wrote:Ben Spencer and Dan Robson have more about them than most on that list. Barely any club experience though, let alone international.

EnglishReign I don't know much about Dan Robson. He doesn't seem to have played for you much at all.

Ben Spencer has played an awful lot more than him.

Just checked the stats

Spencer started 4, replacement in 2 in the HC for Saracens
In comparison Robson wasn't even in the Gloucester HC squad.

In the AP Spencer has had 10 times more game time than Robson.

I don't think 21 appearances for Spencer in a season including all HC games as well as Saxons is barely any club experience! This of course is coupled with his Saxon and U20s appearances.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:I don't think there are many former scrum halfs contributing above.

I'm certainly not a scrum half. I was a winger though. However none of my team mates or coaches knew and from an early age my 17st frame was always press ganged into the front row by ignorant coaches.

beshocked wrote:In my opinion I think all the scrum halves in this 6 nations were average.

For a flanker to be perceived as the 1st choice scrum half for the Lions things must be bad!

Also for Youngs to be seen as most people's 2nd choice also shows this. He is the potential to be class but his form in the 6 nations was very poor bar yet another cameo against tired legs as a replacement.

Scrum half is a real problem position in my opinion.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:The reason I didn't pick a scottish scrum half as my third choice, is I don't even know who the first choice for Scotland is!

George Carlin wrote:I don't think that it's a NH position of weakness as much as there isn't really an obvious second choice to Philips at present. For what it's worth (in no real order):

1. Philips

Crab, step, dither, shout, glacially slow ball. I am from the old school who believe 9s should be quick ball merchants (Rob Jones, Howley, Armstrong) and so I will never prefer his style of play.

That said, he does score tries, so clearly he has an eye to see the available attacking line and that cannot be prized highly enough. But if we want him to be a flanker, let's stick 6 on his back and get him into the really mucky stuff - I will yog if I hear that 'third flanker' tripe again. Please spare me.

His performance on the last Lions tour was exemplary, however, and he is the clear front runner for the shirt.

2. Youngs

Probably next choice when on form although needs to realise that throwing balls into the crowd, squeaking at the ref and generally acting like a pre-school teen who's been told that the Playsation has to go off is limiting his career development.

Overall traditional skillset is probably better than any of his contemporaries but his box kicking is occasionally dreadful and needs work.

3. Blair

Most improved over the past year - genuine fast ball which suits Laidlaw for Scotland. Suspect defence, however and can vanish if the pack's on the back foot.

4. Cusiter

Frustrates me hugely. He has the potential to challenge Philips for the shirt and was a brilliant hinge for Hodgson for the 2005 Lions (played every dirttracker game, Lions won every one) and is the most fearless in defence - he has concussed himself at least twice dropping lock forwards.

Has never quite got back his Perpignon form - not quite sure what is wrong. He's not playing badly this season but has never quite got the razzle dazzle back. Maybe other Scotland fans will disagree.

5. Murray

Have only real seen him where his pack was dominant so it's hard for me to tell as I don't focus on him week in, week out. Always thought he was the natural successor to Stringer and still think he is. Reputation is really growing.

gowales wrote:You might wanna change 3's name