Wasps vs Bath

[Mellsblue]

PDJ. What is the point.

[Banquo]

Please stop this game ref.

[Banquo]

Part of me thinks that that's a bad decision, there was evidence of a knock on there, the rest of me is just relieved that some actually skillful rugby took place and got rewarded.

This

[Mellsblue]

Bath's tactics are very, very similar to Sarries of 3 seasons ago. That's to say really very boring.

[Which Tyler]

Bath's tactics are very, very similar to Sarries of 3 seasons ago. That's to say really very boring.

You saw tactics today??

[Scrumhead]

I am actually glad that's over ... truly dire

[Banquo]

Bath's tactics are very, very similar to Sarries of 3 seasons ago. That's to say really very boring.

You saw tactics today??

excellent

[Mellsblue]

Bath's tactics are very, very similar to Sarries of 3 seasons ago. That's to say really very boring.

You saw tactics today??

excellent

Ha. True.

[fivepointer]

That wasnt very good. You'd expect a lot more from these 2 sides. Mercer and Underhill put in big shifts as did Launchbury. Other than that.....

[Oakboy]

I thought there was clear proof there that Haskell's legs have gone. Mind you, his brain remains the same. There was a classic instance where he delayed a pass to Wade until he was sure the winger would get clattered. Horrendous!

[Scrumhead]

Haskell was crap. Then again, so were about 90% of the other players on the field!

[Oakboy]

That wasnt very good. You'd expect a lot more from these 2 sides. Mercer and Underhill put in big shifts as did Launchbury. Other than that.....

Based just on today, I'd have Mercer way ahead of Underhill.

[Which Tyler]

Way ahead? I thought they both went well. Best 2 players on the pitch.

[Banquo]

I thought there was clear proof there that Haskell's legs have gone. Mind you, his brain remains the same. There was a classic instance where he delayed a pass to Wade until he was sure the winger would get clattered. Horrendous!

I'd like to see his detailed stats, but certainly he seemed to do very little.

[Banquo]

Way ahead? I thought they both went well. Best 2 players on the pitch.

Unseen work; though not sure why, massive tackle count from Underhill. Helluva back row, as Faletau is word class for me.

[Mellsblue]

Underhill and Mercer are both quality. Given a decent tailwind, I'd expect both to have multiple caps by the time they retire.

[Banquo]

Underhill and Mercer are both quality. Given a decent tailwind, I'd expect both to have multiple caps by the time they retire.

as many as 2 each??

[Mellsblue]

Underhill and Mercer are both quality. Given a decent tailwind, I'd expect both to have multiple caps by the time they retire.

as many as 2 each??

After being told he's the next McCaw I thought Underhill might need bringing back down to earth. The top players are still reading this site for hints and tips, aren't they?

[Banquo]

Underhill and Mercer are both quality. Given a decent tailwind, I'd expect both to have multiple caps by the time they retire.

as many as 2 each??

After being told he's the next McCaw I thought Underhill might need bringing back down to earth. The top players are still reading this site for hints and tips, aren't they?

clearly, else why would they have reverted to selectively resourcing the breakdown!!

[Mellsblue]

as many as 2 each??

After being told he's the next McCaw I thought Underhill might need bringing back down to earth. The top players are still reading this site for hints and tips, aren't they?

clearly, else why would they have reverted to selectively resourcing the breakdown!!

Haha.

[Oakboy]

Way ahead? I thought they both went well. Best 2 players on the pitch.

Unseen work; though not sure why, massive tackle count from Underhill. Helluva back row, as Faletau is word class for me.

Yes, Faletau one of the best players in the league.

[Puja]

That wasnt very good. You'd expect a lot more from these 2 sides. Mercer and Underhill put in big shifts as did Launchbury. Other than that.....

Based just on today, I'd have Mercer way ahead of Underhill.

I'm with you; I thought Mercer was much more impressive. Looking at the stats, both made 22 tackles, but Mercer only missed 1 to Underhill's 4, and carried the ball 42m, 1 defender beaten and 2 offloads, to Underhill's 8, 0, and 0.

Obviously stats aren't the be-all and end-all, but that does reaffirm my impression that Underhill is currently operating like a poor man's Joe Worsley - tackling everything, but sod all else.

Puja

[Digby]

Underhill in the Times this week suggested (and he's perhaps simplifying on purpose) he doesn't have much in the way of ball skills, he just likes tackling.

[Mellsblue]

That wasnt very good. You'd expect a lot more from these 2 sides. Mercer and Underhill put in big shifts as did Launchbury. Other than that.....

Based just on today, I'd have Mercer way ahead of Underhill.

I'm with you; I thought Mercer was much more impressive. Looking at the stats, both made 22 tackles, but Mercer only missed 1 to Underhill's 4, and carried the ball 42m, 1 defender beaten and 2 offloads, to Underhill's 8, 0, and 0.

Obviously stats aren't the be-all and end-all, but that does reaffirm my impression that Underhill is currently operating like a poor man's Joe Worsley - tackling everything, but sod all else.

Puja

Two sets of stats for two different players. You are not making valid comparisons when it comes to carrying. Even where it is valid, i.e. tackles, Underhill's tackles were stopping Wasps in their tracks or knocking them back, stopping attacks in their tracks. He was far more effective in this area than Mercer, regardless of those missed.
Both are quality players but with different attributes and carrying out very different roles.

[Timbo]

I thought Underhill and Mercer were equally impressive. If I were Eddie, beyond definitely 100% not picking Haskell, I really don’t know what I would do with the backrow for the Autumn. A lot of very impressive young backrowers around the country at the moment..Wilson still looks quality at Newcastle, Robshaw, Lawes, Clifford, Armand...