Re: Catalans (a) : Sun Aug 27, 2023 7:14 pm  

Brilliant performance.
The pack was superb, over ran their forwards and out played them.
Byrne was outstanding, French showed what he can do at 6 behind a winning pack. KPP, Smithies and Nsemba put in some big hits but the pick of the big hit tackles was Liam Byrne's at the end of the game on Navarette. Absolutely smashed him.

Great win with a great performance, the hard bit will be backing it up!
Can they do it? Too right they can!

Re: Catalans (a) : Sun Aug 27, 2023 7:42 pm  

The forwards ran the show and we were 2 forwards down arguably our two best. We’ve still got to finish strong this year but next year with a fully fit forward pack I can’t wait to see it

Re: Catalans (a) : Sun Aug 27, 2023 9:18 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

I said "I'm guessing" and "if so" so I wasn't putting words in anyone's mouth. I also never mentioned Keighran in relation to you at all, unless you actually said you thought he was a better option there, which you're saying you didn't. How come I need to back off for giving an opinion but you don't for giving yours?

Anyway on to the actual thing we're discussing. You're entitled to your opinion. Of course you are. But equally it shouldn't be unmovable. If you're one of the ones saying French isn't a 6 (I don't know if you are) then could you tell me which areas of his game, experience excluded, where you feel he doesn't have the necessary tools to become a top 6?

Btw, didn't French move to full back in the 2nd half?

I am not saying he hasn't got the tools to make it as a half (many full backs move to half later in their careers) - just that at the moment he is some way off being a reliable half and would he be able to handle the position in a tight play off game? His pass selection is some what erratic (and his no look pass is sometimes dangerous and liable to interception) and his choosing when to run or pass is still some way off but getting better - obviously more experience will help that.He also will need to get more involved in organising and I would like to see him at first receiver a bit more to take some pressure off Smith.

Much of what he does well is pretty much what a good full back linking into the line does - Matty Bowen used to do similar things when he was here. I hope French can make it as a 6 as it would solve a lot of issues for us given the lack of possible other options, you cannot fault his effort at all.

One worry I do have is that we are so reliant on Harry Smith - if we lose him to injury or suspension then we would really be struggling, we need to keep him fit to have any chance in the play-offs.

I am not sure if French went to full back in the second half as there seemded to be a few changes - Field seemed to be operating at dummy half a lot even when Powell came on for O'Neil so there may have been a swap around.

Re: Catalans (a) : Sun Aug 27, 2023 10:12 pm  

exiled Warrior wrote:

I am not saying he hasn't got the tools to make it as a half (many full backs move to half later in their careers) - just that at the moment he is some way off being a reliable half and would he be able to handle the position in a tight play off game? His pass selection is some what erratic (and his no look pass is sometimes dangerous and liable to interception) and his choosing when to run or pass is still some way off but getting better - obviously more experience will help that.He also will need to get more involved in organising and I would like to see him at first receiver a bit more to take some pressure off Smith.

Much of what he does well is pretty much what a good full back linking into the line does - Matty Bowen used to do similar things when he was here. I hope French can make it as a 6 as it would solve a lot of issues for us given the lack of possible other options, you cannot fault his effort at all.

One worry I do have is that we are so reliant on Harry Smith - if we lose him to injury or suspension then we would really be struggling, we need to keep him fit to have any chance in the play-offs.

I am not sure if French went to full back in the second half as there seemded to be a few changes - Field seemed to be operating at dummy half a lot even when Powell came on for O'Neil so there may have been a swap around.

Smith is our pivotal player without him we would be rudderless. If he got injured we would be in the brown smelly stuff with nobody else in the squad being remotely capable of covering him. I love watching French and Field but neither of them could hold a candle against him in terms of running a team.

Re: Catalans (a) : Mon Aug 28, 2023 11:15 am  

Spot on Itchy. Couldn't agree more.

Re: Catalans (a) : Mon Aug 28, 2023 1:34 pm  

1 match ban for Ellis. Not a single sighting for Naverette. Fine for Tomkins