Best Centre in Britain?

So putting it out there to you guys, if you could choose one centre from Britain right now who would you go for? Personally Jonathan Davies for me, great vision, great running game and solid in defence...

Honest thoughts?

Brian O'Driscoll   

Tuilagi when fit.

HammerofThunor wrote:Brian O'Driscoll   

NZ seem to think so too
http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/new-zealand-paper-called-brian-odriscoll-britains-greatest-player-221673831-237773341.html

AT the moment i would pick, As the best you understand. Bryan Odriscol, and Gordon Darsy. Closely followed by Brad Barrit and when fit Manu Tualaghio.

You're all forgetting:

Matt Scott
Mark Bennett
Max Evans
Richie Vernon
Sean Lamont

Tindall

Or possibly Henson

Matt Scott for the future & BOD for the past.

Jebus h..does anyone teach geography in Grand Bretagne anymore, or maybe its just the students

George F#$%king North

George North

JD2. Handsdown.

Looseheaded wrote:JD2. Handsdown.

JD2's hands are the reason he isn't no 1. Not the best passer of the ball but without doubt one of the best in the world.

Scratch wrote:

Looseheaded wrote:JD2. Handsdown.

JD2's hands are the reason he isn't no 1. Not the best passer of the ball but without doubt one of the best in the world.

Guys like BOD and Darcy may ahve better hands but they cant (anymore) attack the line and outpace opposition as Foxy does

Looseheaded wrote:

Scratch wrote:

Looseheaded wrote:JD2. Handsdown.

JD2's hands are the reason he isn't no 1. Not the best passer of the ball but without doubt one of the best in the world.

Guys like BOD and Darcy may ahve better hands but they cant (anymore) attack the line and outpace opposition as Foxy does

Agree 100% but a centre must have hands…JD2 is oft referred to as a footballer…not sure what that means….i think that he has insight and vision and can run awesome lines but his hands are his achilles heel

Scratch you are refering to two missed passes in one game, we have seen ODriscoll and many others do the same in their careers.

JD2 doesnt have the passing skills of John Dawes or Allan Bateman but to say it is a weakness is harsh.

Luckily his good points out weigh anything else. Vision, running and creating opportunities are the most important attributes of a brilliant centre and he does those well.

Best centre in the NH is Wesley Fofana.

Agree about Fofana. He's up there for best in the world.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Agree about Fofana. He's up there for best in the world.

Be great to see him and JD2 together for a Baa Baas, NH vs SH or World XV game. They would work really well together.

Won't that be the Clermont partnership next year?

theslosty wrote:Won't that be the Clermont partnership next year?

Looks like it!

HammerofThunor wrote:Brian O'Driscoll   

Ha ha ha ha. I love funny jokes.

This was bound to bring back the John Davies vs BOD battle
No doubt BOD is the best center of all time
but for the here and now, it has to be either John Davies or Manu Tuilagi

Manu is vastly overrated and is no where near BOD or will reach those heights. The best centres are generally the most intelligent players in the team, better passers, organisers of defence, have vision, a step etc. Manu is a crash ball player who can be used effectively and will have one or two destructive moments a game but will never orchestrate defence or attack. JD2 and BOD do all that much better. Manu is too predictable and besides physicality has little else. Better teams will manage him 9 out of 10 matches. Manu is like Chaball: Great for YouTube

MMaaxx wrote:Manu is vastly overrated and is no where near BOD or will reach those heights. The best centres are generally the most intelligent players in the team, better passers, organisers of defence, have vision, a step etc. Manu is a crash ball player who can be used effectively and will have one or two destructive moments a game but will never orchestrate defence or attack. JD2 and BOD do all that much better. Manu is too predictable and besides physicality has little else. Better teams will manage him 9 out of 10 matches. Manu is like Chaball: Great for YouTube

Whilst parts of his game do need to improve, they have done in recent seasons and to say his only ability is crash ball is incorrect IMO - though sadly that is how England tend to utilise him. It's easy to forget he's still only 22 and if his decision making, passing and handling continue to improve as they have done he should become one hell of a player.

At the moment though I'd say Davies just as the best in Britain and Fofana well ahead of the rest in the Northern Hemisphere.

True perhaps I was harsh. I do think Eng should play to his strengths which is his obvious physicality. If they could bring him in at speed, angle running at gaps and teach him to offload then....

Jhamer25 wrote:This was bound to bring back the John Davies vs BOD battle
No doubt BOD is the best center of all time
but for the here and now, it has to be either John Davies or Manu Tuilagi

How was it bound to bring the BOD v JD debate? The question was who was the best centre in BRITAIN.

MMaaxx wrote:True perhaps I was harsh. I do think Eng should play to his strengths which is his obvious physicality. If they could bring him in at speed, angle running at gaps and teach him to offload then....

In fairness his off loading is pretty solid but his decision making for when to use it does need to keep improving. He has a tendency to force it when it's not on sometimes - a trait most physical centres seem to have these days!

I'd also say that when he gets the ball he is coming at pace on the angle. Problem is that England don't seem to have worked out you can have more than one player attacking the line during each move. Hence why we get to see the mesmeric guile of our backs moves which consist of:

- Scrum half passes to Farrell whose 15m behind the gainline
- Farrell passes to centre whose still 10m behind the gainline
- Everyone else stands meanders 20m behind the gainline looking confused as to why we have the ball and aren't still trying to tackle people...

Maybe that's an immature way to look at things, but it does get exasperating! Especially when Farrell has shown for Saracens and the Lions he is more than adept at playing closer to the gainline (and rapidly improving in that area).

Also given that we do have players such as Twelvetrees, Eastmond, Daly and Trinder who could mix things up in the centres. Along with guys like Wade, Yarde, May, Benjamin, Nowell, Watson, etc etc who could make use of the ball in those mystic 'wider channels', which in recent seasons have seemed about as mythical as Narnia or Atlantis to an England supporter!

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:This was bound to bring back the John Davies vs BOD battle
No doubt BOD is the best center of all time
but for the here and now, it has to be either John Davies or Manu Tuilagi

How was it bound to bring the BOD v JD debate? The question was who was the best centre in BRITAIN.

Northern Ireland is in Britain, whereas the Republic of Ireland isn't, as far as I know. Brian O'Driscoll was born and bred in the ROI, and has lived there continually for the past three years, I think, therefore he isn't British, IMO. Why isn't there a ROI National Rugby Union team and a NI National Rugby Union team; why do they play as one?

international197 wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:This was bound to bring back the John Davies vs BOD battle
No doubt BOD is the best center of all time
but for the here and now, it has to be either John Davies or Manu Tuilagi

How was it bound to bring the BOD v JD debate? The question was who was the best centre in BRITAIN.

Northern Ireland is in Britain, whereas the Republic of Ireland isn't, as far as I know. Brian O'Driscoll was born and bred in the ROI, and has lived there continually for the past three years, I think, therefore he isn't British, IMO. Why isn't there a ROI National Rugby Union team and a NI National Rugby Union team; why do they play as one?

Come on mate don't give us that, a lot of people were going to say JD and others would say BOD

And yes Britain, BOD is Irish which is a part of Britain

Haha nice try with the wind up Jhammer

international197 wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:This was bound to bring back the John Davies vs BOD battle
No doubt BOD is the best center of all time
but for the here and now, it has to be either John Davies or Manu Tuilagi

How was it bound to bring the BOD v JD debate? The question was who was the best centre in BRITAIN.

Northern Ireland is in Britain, whereas the Republic of Ireland isn't, as far as I know. Brian O'Driscoll was born and bred in the ROI, and has lived there continually for the past three years, I think, therefore he isn't British, IMO. Why isn't there a ROI National Rugby Union team and a NI National Rugby Union team; why do they play as one?

Cos they always have,I think soccer is the only major sport where the two countries are seperated.A similar question is why don't Wales,Scotland,England and NI all play as GB,they are all the one nation so why don't they play as one.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

international197 wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:This was bound to bring back the John Davies vs BOD battle
No doubt BOD is the best center of all time
but for the here and now, it has to be either John Davies or Manu Tuilagi

How was it bound to bring the BOD v JD debate? The question was who was the best centre in BRITAIN.

Northern Ireland is in Britain, whereas the Republic of Ireland isn't, as far as I know. Brian O'Driscoll was born and bred in the ROI, and has lived there continually for the past three years, I think, therefore he isn't British, IMO. Why isn't there a ROI National Rugby Union team and a NI National Rugby Union team; why do they play as one?

Cos they always have,I think soccer is the only major sport where the two countries are seperated.A similar question is why don't Wales,Scotland,England and NI all play as GB,they are all the one nation so why don't they play as one.

I think that's not a similar question; IMO, I'm asking a question about fission, whereas you're asking a question about fusion.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Haha nice try with the wind up Jhammer

How was a trying to wind you up. You asked a question and i answered

international197 wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:

international197 wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:This was bound to bring back the John Davies vs BOD battle
No doubt BOD is the best center of all time
but for the here and now, it has to be either John Davies or Manu Tuilagi

How was it bound to bring the BOD v JD debate? The question was who was the best centre in BRITAIN.

Northern Ireland is in Britain, whereas the Republic of Ireland isn't, as far as I know. Brian O'Driscoll was born and bred in the ROI, and has lived there continually for the past three years, I think, therefore he isn't British, IMO. Why isn't there a ROI National Rugby Union team and a NI National Rugby Union team; why do they play as one?

Cos they always have,I think soccer is the only major sport where the two countries are seperated.A similar question is why don't Wales,Scotland,England and NI all play as GB,they are all the one nation so why don't they play as one.

I think that's not a similar question; IMO, I'm asking a question about fission, whereas you're asking a question about fusion.

The questions are similar,they're not the same.

Jhammer, you said "BOD is irish which is apart of Britain".

Now not only does that not make any sense it is also untrue

Blue Water.

maestegmafia wrote:Scratch you are refering to two missed passes in one game, we have seen ODriscoll and many others do the same in their careers.

JD2 doesnt have the passing skills of John Dawes or Allan Bateman but to say it is a weakness is harsh.

Luckily his good points out weigh anything else. Vision, running and creating opportunities are the most important attributes of a brilliant centre and he does those well.

Best centre in the NH is Wesley Fofana.

er, no i'm not, i am referring to his well documented poor hands. thanks.

Suspect the NZ herald meant "Britain" as an unfortunate short hand for the B&I Lions. Of which bod is undoubtably one of the greats.

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Jhammer, you said "BOD is irish which is apart of Britain".

Now not only does that not make any sense it is also untrue

What else do you mean though clearly the article was meant as Britian and Ireland then sorry. Britain usually refers to the United Kingdom anyway

Look for some reason you got wound up by my first post; I don't know why because it wasn't intended too. So sorry if id did offend you but I don't know why  it would

Seems like your just trying to stir something but i'm not giving you the satisfaction ok. So carry on 

Jhamer25 wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Jhammer, you said "BOD is irish which is apart of Britain".

Now not only does that not make any sense it is also untrue

What else do you mean though clearly the article was meant as Britian and Ireland then sorry. Britain usually refers to the United Kingdom anyway

Look for some reason you got wound up by my first post; I don't know why because it wasn't intended too. So sorry if id did offend you but I don't know why  it would

Seems like your just trying to stir something but i'm not giving you the satisfaction ok. So carry on 

Didnt even make it to a polytechnic to study media studues....poor sod.

ME-109 wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Jhammer, you said "BOD is irish which is apart of Britain".

Now not only does that not make any sense it is also untrue

What else do you mean though clearly the article was meant as Britian and Ireland then sorry. Britain usually refers to the United Kingdom anyway

Look for some reason you got wound up by my first post; I don't know why because it wasn't intended too. So sorry if id did offend you but I don't know why  it would

Seems like your just trying to stir something but i'm not giving you the satisfaction ok. So carry on 

Didnt even make it to a polytechnic to study media studues....poor sod.

Ha Geography has never been my forte.

Looks like English wasn't your strongest subject either mind 'studies' and 'didn't'.  

If your going to try to insult me, at least do it in style mate.

Jhamer25 wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Jhammer, you said "BOD is irish which is apart of Britain".

Now not only does that not make any sense it is also untrue

What else do you mean though clearly the article was meant as Britian and Ireland then sorry. Britain usually refers to the United Kingdom anyway

Look for some reason you got wound up by my first post; I don't know why because it wasn't intended too. So sorry if id did offend you but I don't know why  it would

Seems like your just trying to stir something but i'm not giving you the satisfaction ok. So carry on 

Didnt even make it to a polytechnic to study media studues....poor sod.

Ha Geography has never been my forte.

Looks like English wasn't your strongest subject either mind 'studies' and 'didn't'.  

If your going to try to insult me, at least do it in style mate.

Good to see you that you would have no problems filling in the forms down the DHSS or whatever they call it these days...at least your teacher would be proud.

Jhamer25 wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:Jhammer, you said "BOD is irish which is apart of Britain".

Now not only does that not make any sense it is also untrue

What else do you mean though clearly the article was meant as Britian and Ireland then sorry. Britain usually refers to the United Kingdom anyway

Look for some reason you got wound up by my first post; I don't know why because it wasn't intended too. So sorry if id did offend you but I don't know why  it would

Seems like your just trying to stir something but i'm not giving you the satisfaction ok. So carry on 

"Britain usually refers to the United Kingdom anyway"

Oh dear please, please tell me you know Ireland is not apart of the "United Kingdom"...I thought it was the Aussies and Kiwis that where bad on this sort of stuff..

As is said ME if your are trying to insult me, do it correctly. The dhss hasn't been around for thirty odd years. Good try though

leinterfanforlife
As I said geography isn't my forte. Most had the same impression anyway.

Anyway BOD is one of the best but not now. That was the aim of my main post. Sorry if it offended you but I don't understand why.
Night sir

Jhamer25 wrote:As is said ME if your are trying to insult me, do it correctly. The dhss hasn't been around for thirty odd years. Good try though

leinterfanforlife
As I said geography isn't my forte. Most had the same impression anyway.

Anyway BOD is one of the best but not now.  That was the aim of my main post. Sorry if it offended you but I don't understand why.
Night sir

A shining star of the British education system... 

ME-109 wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:As is said ME if your are trying to insult me, do it correctly. The dhss hasn't been around for thirty odd years. Good try though

leinterfanforlife
As I said geography isn't my forte. Most had the same impression anyway.

Anyway BOD is one of the best but not now.  That was the aim of my main post. Sorry if it offended you but I don't understand why.
Night sir

One for the British education system...  

Run out of ideas huh, keep them coming  

Jhamer25 wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Jhamer25 wrote:As is said ME if your are trying to insult me, do it correctly. The dhss hasn't been around for thirty odd years. Good try though

leinterfanforlife
As I said geography isn't my forte. Most had the same impression anyway.

Anyway BOD is one of the best but not now.  That was the aim of my main post. Sorry if it offended you but I don't understand why.
Night sir

One for the British education system...  

Run out of ideas huh, keep them coming  

Your own ability to display your lack of education is entertainment in itself..

Oooooooooh good one.

People are dismissing JD2 for his handling abaility then suggesting Tuilagi ?

Do they not remember him fluffing an almost certain try for England against Wales last year ?

Least JD2 has a kicking game to speak of, seriously people, Manu is more 1 dimensional than Quagmire

Watch some Leicester games and he shows good passing and offloading skills. Can't be easy playing next to Barritt and an ever changing line of wings ie knowing when they're going to be there to support. may as well put your head down and smash through them.