Re: England Squad - 6 Nations
Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2018 2:17 pm
We are using lots of words to fundamentally agree on the issue but differ on how its solved- I said we don't have the perfect option and need to compromise, but I'd compromise erring towards a running threat rather than a passerWhich Tyler wrote:I think we can all agree that we'd like an IC that is world class at passing, offloading, boshing, running, evading, tackling, kicking and decision making. But we don't have any, so it comes to what compromises you want to make given the options available, and potential for improving areas of weakness.
This is why we were all so excited by Twelvetrees, who just never learned consistency or calmness. It's also why coaches want to get their hands on Mallinder; if he can find some courage, and work on his technique, and consistency which would come with time, he could become special.
As I've said, from the options available, I favour Devoto on the principal that he has all the elements I want from a 12, even if he's not world class at any of the options, I've also regularly criticised Farrell at 12 for his inability to hold a defence, so obvious I think that that's important. Plenty of "distributing" ICs can hold a defence themselves, a Cipriani (back in the day), Eastmond, Losowski, Slade or Devoto all present a threat to defences, just a different threat to a Te'o or Tuilagi.
ETA: I still want to see what could happen if Johnny Williams got himself a proper Prem contract and a season or two as regular starter - but either he's loyal to LI, or he's not doing enough to attract interest from a club that could develop him properly.
....Lozowski and eastmond hold defences because they are dangerous runners, and handily can distribute, and that'd hold true at intl level. Slade and Devoto less so imo. As I've now said at least three times, I don't care how the running threat is presented. The Cips reference is odd as he hasn't played 12 much if at all (he used to cover 13 in defence for wasps sometimes), though I did think at his pomp he'd have made a very decent 12.