Tigers Vs Quins

[Banquo]

The percentage thing was because someone mentioned he kicks the most from hand in the Prem. He doesn't mess about playing in his own half he looks to get the territory and once he's got that looks to play.

Very much agree with his passing skill levels. He's done a fabulous job with not a lot in recent years I'm hoping that's going to change and we'll see Tigers pulling teams apart like the did to Quins in the first half.

Standard tbh, doesn't say he's a percentage player, just sensible.

Sensible and playing the percentages-------

Multiple runners on different angles for him to select from. Ford can do that close to the line and 9 times out of 10 select the right option. It's a tough way to play as you need player in sync and with enough rugby brains and commitment to keep running those angles phase after phase and Tigers haven't had that for years.

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We are likely agreeing, but your accurate assessment of his best 'skill' is not percentage play; percentage 10's play deeper. He does it well (9/10) because he is so skilled. If you mean his game management was superior to Smith's, then totally agree.

[Mellsblue]

I think he's only ever craved adulation from rugby rebels.

Who hasn’t?

[Puja]

Just watched the highlights and the first try is a masterclass by Ford. We run the same play off 10 three times in a row - overloading two defenders with three options of short pop, wider pass, and Ford running. The first one is a premeditated setplay - Ford carries to the line, keeps the 13 away by pumping to pass the ball out wide, and Nadolo appears from behind him to take the pop and charge into the 10/12. However, both of them have their eye on smashing Ford, so Nadolo goes straight through and is unlucky to be tripped by a Lang flailing arm.

The second is immediately after the quick ruck - Ford sweeps round, and Scott is running exactly the same line as Nadolo was. Marchant reads it and steps in the minute Ford dummies to the outside man, but unfortunately this time the dummy is the real pass and Porter goes through the gaping hole.

We run a forward crash ball, recycle quickly and again we've got the three man shape with one person coming short and one wide to an overlap. Youngs throws a gorgeous 15m pass to Ford on the run which pulls Smith wider as he tries to follow it before suddenly realising that his inside man is Joe Marler and there's now a whacking great gap between them for Ford to sidestep into. Again, two people covering three options - Smith takes Ford, Northmore covers Kelly and the overlap, and Ford picks the right option in laying it up for Scott to walk in.

That is 100% exactly what our attack should be based around and it fills me with great joy that we appear to be heading that way. Also, makes a lot more sense of us signing Burns as he is capable of that kind of gainline decision-making (albeit not quite to that level) when Ford's away with England, which I'm not sure Henry is.

Puja

[FKAS]

Agree 100% that's how we should using the backline attack. It's so hard to make unless you defend really narrow in which case Ford has the passing skills whip it wide. Being able to mix the attack through Benny as well keeps the forward defenders close in so when Ford is running that line they aren't flooding across to help the backs. Hopefully see a lot more of that on Friday.