RugbyRebels

Youngs looks a different - and much better - player when he's forced to play quickly by his own team
(note: A much worse player when the opposition are trying to make him play quickly)

Pop passes off the floor
Second man to rucks (rarely Youngs hah) passing to him as he comes in to play

He suddenly switches on - sniping, making better passes, challenging defences
Instead of arriving. Looking. Ignoring the forwards taking a line for a crash ball. Looking some more. And then throwing the ball at someones feet

Its his lack of urgency at the breakdown that frustrates me. At times it looks like he is negotiating a hand modelling contract

Renniks wrote:Youngs looks a different - and much better - player when he's forced to play quickly by his own team
(note: A much worse player when the opposition are trying to make him play quickly)

Pop passes off the floor
Second man to rucks (rarely Youngs hah) passing to him as he comes in to play

He suddenly switches on - sniping, making better passes, challenging defences
Instead of arriving. Looking. Ignoring the forwards taking a line for a crash ball. Looking some more. And then throwing the ball at someones feet

I think it's about his instincts. When that happening he just acts (I think his passing looks better then as well). Its when he has to run everything through his conscious brain first, and starts second guessing himself and actively making decisions that it falls apart for him.

p/d wrote:Its his lack of urgency at the breakdown that frustrates me. At times it looks like he is negotiating a hand modelling contract

See above. Have him play on instinct, and he can be a very good rugby player. Make him think about the bigger picture, the tactics of the moment, who's where, and it all falls apart.

Just to infuriate everyone, Japanese scrum-half Nagare played 50 minutes against Scotland, made 75 passes (which all went to hand, if memory serves), and kicked a grand total of zero times.

https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/stat-attac ... n-scotland

Puja

In addition, in an unrelated project I was looking through old England videos and came across this one from 2010 - highlights of Ben Youngs' first game for England.



Puja

so he's to blame for the Ashton splash

Puja wrote:In addition, in an unrelated project I was looking through old England videos and came across this one from 2010 - highlights of Ben Youngs' first game for England.



Puja

Stop it or I’ll be sending you the bill for my Prozac.

p/d wrote:so he's to blame for the Ashton splash

Ashton actually was, at one point, a very good winger.

Puja

Puja wrote:In addition, in an unrelated project I was looking through old England videos and came across this one from 2010 - highlights of Ben Youngs' first game for England.



Puja

Most significant was the fact that he was passing from the ruck with planted feet. No shuffle, no wind-up - just a quick pass. In fact, exactly what we yearn for! Who buggered up his style, or did he manage it all on his own?

Of course, he was playing with a half-decent FH who wanted quick ball.

I do think Flood was the key to getting the best out of Youngs.
Once he left both Tigers and England he went down hill fast IMO.

It was also the first time when Youngs became the senior member of the half back partnership and obviously taking more responsibility.