Comments on: Heineken Cup Round 1: 5 things we learned

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:40:55 +0000

Jones always seemed to me to be the absolute master of getting his opponent in a disadvantageous position on the hit, so I did wonder how the new rules would suit him.

Samson Lee just looks a beast though, not someone I would want an argument with.

By: brighty

brighty — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:31:45 +0000

I think Priestland will get the shirt if he can repeat performance next weekend, especially as likely that the centres and possibly even scrum half will be Scarlets. Gats really rates Priestland especially as someone who can get the big wings and centres into the play.

I think you’ve got a point about Adam, I thought the same myself in early season. The new rules are reducing the hit and emphasising the arm wrestle. Adam might not be the force he was under that. However the Scarlets tight head had a brilliant time on Saturday … until the idiot did what he did.

By: brighty

brighty — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:29:25 +0000

Ha, poetic licence – it didn’t sound as good with “… and Saints winger and Bayonne scrum half…”

Anyway, with the shenanigans that Mallinder is playing we might not have access to him for full autumn – but in that case I suspect we’ll see Williams getting his debut against Aus.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:26:58 +0000

Can’t believe you’ve dropped North! The Blues back 3 must be something really special!

I expected Ospreys to really take it to Leinster upfront, was really surprised to see how well Leinster went at scrum time. Is Adam Jones less dominant under the new rules, or was this just a blip?

Thought Priestland looked really good, do you think he can get the starting shirt back?

By: brighty

brighty — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:19:08 +0000

Hook isn’t doing anything he wasn’t already doing when Gatland was previously ignoring him. I can’t see him getting a call – Priestland and Biggar are the main options and will remain so.

Can’t wait to see the Ospreys pack + 10, the Scarlets centres and the Blues back three (more or less) run out for Wales.