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Quote:woodpecker
For his size George is actually pretty good at tackling and has massively improved, he also seems to have worked out how to use the big guys weight efficiently without hurting himself, shades of Aikido perhaps
Quote:Optimist
Will be interesting to see how Lozowski develops - he's not shy in the tackle. If I was George I think i'd be fretting a bit about the summer. If he gets on the Lions tour it might only be on the dirt-track behind Farrell/Sexton, while Lozowski will get an opportunity to stake a claim in Argentina. If he doesn't get on the Lions, then touring Argentina might feel a bit 'B' team.
Quote:DanWiley
"Arguably? Can we hear that argument, Dan? I don't see it."
He's not my cup of tea, but I can see some would make a credible argument. Those people are probably Welsh, but that makes them geographically unfortunate, not inherently wrong.
Quote:DanWiley
How so? I'd have thought, for some people, that Biggar would be among a small number of names that are arguably an improvement on George?
Quote:By that standard, there's never been a single World Class 10. Not Wilko, not Dan, not Hugo, not a single FH plays well when forced onto the backfoot and unsupported by his pack. They may be able to turn games around to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat - but not on their own. They can inspire more from their team-mates, change tactics to find something that works on the day; but not just by playing better - those occassions are leadership issues, not FH issues.Bathovalballer
However, behind a pack going forward with good fast ball with George in space and with time, he can be a sublime tactician and reader of the game, ensuring his side play where it hurts the opposition most and with his passing he can release backs into space. He has a great talent but has been found wanting on occasions too many times IMV to say he is World class. A World class 10 plays well whatever goes on in front of him, and by his play can turn games around, eg Dan Carter. George is not there yet and may well never quite reach those standards.
Quote:Optimist
"On that first paragraph, what style would you expect Gatland to go with, he has to play to his strengths surely"
I'd want Gatland to play to the strengths of the players available to him, rather than to his own strengths - but that may be hoping against hope.
If I was Gatland i'd be looking at the Eddie Jones template - rock-solid set-piece and absolutely relentless physicality up front; backs who never stop making tackles and don't make mistakes; genuine oomph off the bench; dead-eye goalkicker. I don't think it's possible to create the kind of instinctive attacking play that brings wonderful-looking tries or expect to beat NZ at that. I think the tries can come from sheer, relentless efficiency. The kind of wave after wave battering that brings tries like Teo's on Saturday are much more likely to happen than the Stuart Hogg type of try.
Quote:malco
Sale could not or would not stump up the cash required to talk to him. A wise decision because I don't believe Ford ever really had any intention of going there. He wanted to go to Leicester, Craig played hard ball and got the money he wanted from the deal. Ford gets to go to the club he really wants to play for. Leicester get the player they really desire. We get a massive amount of cash and finally get to leave the last remaining link with the bad old days behind. Diamond gets his nose put even further out of joint. It's the best possible solution.
Quote:by
Does anyone suspect that this could possibly increase the chances that Hastings will be retained?
Quote:Not 100% sure he's right for us but absolutely outclassed GF up at Kingston Park earlier in the season.Bath Supporter Jack
How about the FH who plays sometimes for Newcastle.........Hodgson?
Quote:Now those are hard to find, and ultimately wrestle away from other clubs.bathstigg
Yes Max Mullins looked very good on the highlights vs France. As Priestland is 30 and Freddie 27 a young 10 with bags of potential should be on our radar.
Quote:Tall Paul
How about the young Sarries 10 that played for England U20s? I didn't see the game but he seems to have had a stormer against France. Behind Farrell and Lozowski for his club, neither of which are even nearing the end of their careers!
Quote:OutsideBathQuote:Tall Paul
How about the young Sarries 10 that played for England U20s? I didn't see the game but he seems to have had a stormer against France. Behind Farrell and Lozowski for his club, neither of which are even nearing the end of their careers!
Can't think of any reason why he would leave Sarries for Bath.
Quote:Bathovalballer
I saw the England Under 20 game and MM was very good indeed. Ran the line well, passing crisp and drew a tackler before doing so, kicked very well off the tee and from hand, tactically aware and has a real turn of speed. He definitely has the potential to be top class and will not get much game time at Sarries. Well worth pursing IMV.
The other possibility would be to chase Joe Simmonds at the Chiefs. He is behind Steenson and Slade, and is an excellent prospect. His kicking from the tee is top class, about 90% accuracy.
He is only 20 and although not as talented as Malins at present, could be as good.
Quote:Big Dog
I suspect no announcement will be made until after the 6 Nations now.
I am finding it increasingly frustrating however that one of the main sources on this lead is Steve Diamond who just keeps announcing to the press the players he is chasing and where they would prefer to go if they leave their current clubs..
Don't know what he thinks he is going to achieve by telling us that GF wants to leave Bath and Sale are interested but that GF would prefer Leicester...?
Just butt out of it Diamond you wideboy!
Quote:sid the seagull
No
and
No
THANKYOU
Quote:sid the seagull
As far as I can see FB is not announced and the other is someone's idle fantasy so under these circumstances I feel free to express whatever opinion I blasted well like.
SQUAWKSQUAWKSQUAWK
Quote:sid the seagull
As far as I can see FB is not announced and the other is someone's idle fantasy so under these circumstances I feel free to express whatever opinion I blasted well like.
SQUAWKSQUAWKSQUAWK
Quote:gaz59
Thanks Tigerburnie, from that it would seem that George has decided but has yet to complete contract terms and Freddie's position is not yet resolved one way or the other
I can well understand him being peed off and his immediate reaction being to think about jumping back to Bath but I don't see how Bath could have tied it into a two way transfer without his express agreement. If Cohen is being straight then it is not a done deal as yet
Quote:Optimist
"the two things are not conjoined"
They're not exactly unrelated though. If we could keep George, we'd keep George. But I don't believe that the, 'anyone but Leics' clause in George's contract hasn't been loosened by the knowledge that there will be two deals to be done in the same meeting.
Quote:Bathovalballer
If Freddie does not come. it could leave us in the cart and possibly stop the deal going through, as Leicester would then have to come up with a lot more cash.
Very interesting but as said many times, If George is set on leaving, let him go and hope we can get a pile for buying out his contract early. If the deal or other deals fall down, it would leave us with a pivotal position player who is not fully committed and has his heart set on being somewhere else. Very unsatisfactory and deeply disturbing for all concerned.
Quote:malcoQuote:Bathovalballer
If Freddie does not come. it could leave us in the cart and possibly stop the deal going through, as Leicester would then have to come up with a lot more cash.
Very interesting but as said many times, If George is set on leaving, let him go and hope we can get a pile for buying out his contract early. If the deal or other deals fall down, it would leave us with a pivotal position player who is not fully committed and has his heart set on being somewhere else. Very unsatisfactory and deeply disturbing for all concerned.
Incorrect.
Once again, it is not a swap deal. The deal for George is for George. The deal for his replacement is entirely separate.
Quote:malcoQuote:Bathovalballer
If Freddie does not come. it could leave us in the cart and possibly stop the deal going through, as Leicester would then have to come up with a lot more cash.
Very interesting but as said many times, If George is set on leaving, let him go and hope we can get a pile for buying out his contract early. If the deal or other deals fall down, it would leave us with a pivotal position player who is not fully committed and has his heart set on being somewhere else. Very unsatisfactory and deeply disturbing for all concerned.
Incorrect.
Once again, it is not a swap deal. The deal for George is for George. The deal for his replacement is entirely separate.
Quote:tigerburnie
From my understanding from a friend of a friend, George went to Barf because of his Dad and is now planning to exercise a clause in his contract to leave because of his Dad. I see no reason to be upset from either our end or yours, he left Welford Road for understandable reasons and IF he comes back, I understand why.
Quote:tigerburnie
From my understanding from a friend of a friend, George went to Barf because of his Dad and is now planning to exercise a clause in his contract to leave because of his Dad. I see no reason to be upset from either our end or yours, he left Welford Road for understandable reasons and IF he comes back, I understand why.
Quote:tigerburnie
From my understanding from a friend of a friend, George went to Barf because of his Dad and is now planning to exercise a clause in his contract to leave because of his Dad. I see no reason to be upset from either our end or yours, he left Welford Road for understandable reasons and IF he comes back, I understand why.
Quote:George Ford
'If you commit to the club, you commit to that set of players, staff and fans. He committed for three years but he’s gone after a year and a bit.
‘There are lads here who would die for the club — those lads who have come through the academy, and other lads like me who have been here for two or three years and are passionate about it.
'The lads who would die for this club sacrificed a lot for [him] when he came over and committed to him and put time and effort into making him the player he was... I feel for those lads.’
Quote:SubstituteQuote:tigerburnie
From my understanding from a friend of a friend, George went to Barf because of his Dad and is now planning to exercise a clause in his contract to leave because of his Dad. I see no reason to be upset from either our end or yours, he left Welford Road for understandable reasons and IF he comes back, I understand why.
Pro rugby player has 'Daddy' clause in contract i.e. 'I'm only working for you because Daddy is'. That level of professionality is an understandable reason to be miffed and is, quite frankly, a bit pathetic.
Lest we (he) forget:
Quote:George Ford
'If you commit to the club, you commit to that set of players, staff and fans. He committed for three years but he’s gone after a year and a bit.
‘There are lads here who would die for the club — those lads who have come through the academy, and other lads like me who have been here for two or three years and are passionate about it.
'The lads who would die for this club sacrificed a lot for [him] when he came over and committed to him and put time and effort into making him the player he was... I feel for those lads.’
Quote:Optimist
It's a funny old situation, where the whole 'transfer' is based on the fact that George wants to go to Leicester, rather than Leicester having made him a 'transfer' target.
What if Tigers ultimately decide not to come up with George's asking price? Given that George is the one fluttering his eyelids at them, Leicester may be looking to get a bit of a bargain.
Quote:P G Tips
May look like that, but....something has changed.
Quote:P G Tips
Who is to say, hand on heart, that they would rise above the reaction to quit in those circumstances?
Quote:Coalminer
I would be very happy if Finn Russell decided to play for Bath.
Quote:Coalminer
I would be very happy if Finn Russell decided to play for Bath.
Quote:fat lock
I think he does care
I think it's a combination of factors.
1. He was upset with what his Dad did, how that was dealt with, and how the squad have expressed their feelings about his Dad.
2. He's not enjoying his club rugby as much as he did - but being a professional he is carrying on as best as he can.
3. He knows he's not playing as well as he can. Hanging onto his England berth by his fingernails at present.
3. He probably feels that for him to return to his best (and then improve) he needs to move clubs - he needs a fresh start. Given all the turmoil in his career at present returning to somewhere where he knows people will suit him better.
Hope it works out for him.
More importantly hope his replacement is happy at Bath and performs for us.
Quote:The OilmanQuote:fat lock
I think he does care
I think it's a combination of factors.
1. He was upset with what his Dad did, how that was dealt with, and how the squad have expressed their feelings about his Dad.
2. He's not enjoying his club rugby as much as he did - but being a professional he is carrying on as best as he can.
3. He knows he's not playing as well as he can. Hanging onto his England berth by his fingernails at present.
3. He probably feels that for him to return to his best (and then improve) he needs to move clubs - he needs a fresh start. Given all the turmoil in his career at present returning to somewhere where he knows people will suit him better.
Hope it works out for him.
More importantly hope his replacement is happy at Bath and performs for us.
Point 3, You can't say Leicester is without turmoil. Frying pan to fire springs to mind.
Quote:BathMatt53
For those wanting Finn Russell I assume you watched his kick just before half time today?