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2024 Guinness Six Nations
[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 3: Scotland vs Wales (25/02/2017)
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<blockquote data-quote="dullonien" data-source="post: 840956" data-attributes="member: 13739"><p>This is an interesting point. I suppose the question is, are they poorly re-integrated, or are they worse players than when they left Wales? A few of the older ones (Hibbard, Roberts, Hook) are struggling purely for that reason alone, they're over the hill and with the lack of access it made/makes sense to select younger Wales based alternatives. I'd argue that North, Halfpenny & Jon Fox are worse players than when they left Wales. Is that a fault of the clubs they're now playing in? Difficult to say, but I think that is certainly part of it. Northampton are generally struggling against the best, with a lack of creatively evident across the board. When North has been given space, he's still lethal, but he doesn't often go looking for the ball with Northampton or Wales, something you would have never accused him of when he was at the Scarlets. A number of players have now gone to France and gotten worse (Davies, Halfpenny, Lydiate, Phillips). The only recent exception has been Charteris, who arguably improved, and other than getting on a bit, is struggling atm due to a lack of game time this season. Same goes for Faletau, who shouldn't be receiving any criticism after his injury ravaged season (blame our lack of alternatives, and Howley's substitution strategies).</p><p></p><p>It'll be interesting to see how Liam Williams get's on at Saracens. Their coaching appears top notch, so I think we should see him improving as long as he can nail down a starting berth (preferably at fullback).</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dullonien, post: 840956, member: 13739"] This is an interesting point. I suppose the question is, are they poorly re-integrated, or are they worse players than when they left Wales? A few of the older ones (Hibbard, Roberts, Hook) are struggling purely for that reason alone, they're over the hill and with the lack of access it made/makes sense to select younger Wales based alternatives. I'd argue that North, Halfpenny & Jon Fox are worse players than when they left Wales. Is that a fault of the clubs they're now playing in? Difficult to say, but I think that is certainly part of it. Northampton are generally struggling against the best, with a lack of creatively evident across the board. When North has been given space, he's still lethal, but he doesn't often go looking for the ball with Northampton or Wales, something you would have never accused him of when he was at the Scarlets. A number of players have now gone to France and gotten worse (Davies, Halfpenny, Lydiate, Phillips). The only recent exception has been Charteris, who arguably improved, and other than getting on a bit, is struggling atm due to a lack of game time this season. Same goes for Faletau, who shouldn't be receiving any criticism after his injury ravaged season (blame our lack of alternatives, and Howley's substitution strategies). It'll be interesting to see how Liam Williams get's on at Saracens. Their coaching appears top notch, so I think we should see him improving as long as he can nail down a starting berth (preferably at fullback). [/QUOTE]
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2024 Guinness Six Nations
[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 3: Scotland vs Wales (25/02/2017)
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