Bulls v Ospreys Saturday at 2pm

Nagy has been superb since his return.. Gatland needs to cap him as soon as he can. He is however our only top class aerial player and we need another sizeable back three player in the squad. There were rumours we were interested in Kasende but no idea if there is any substance to this.

Decent or even average 10’s cost a fortune and are not plentiful. Demand massively exceeds supply. Decent or average 9’s are more plentiful and a lot cheaper. I think we will struggle to improve our 10 stable with our budget whereas it would be easy to improve the 9 stable. I think Rhodri Lewis could be next years bolter.

I agree entirely, competent 10's, expecially those with high percentage goal kicking, are like gold dust. Its just so frustrating how hamstrung we are by our half backs. The amount of times over the last two years that RMW for example, stands at a back of a ruck, presented with quickly recycled ball and just stands there and delays things whilst he wobbles his head from left to right, thus killing any chance for a quick break and momentum is soul destroying.

Theres a lot to like about Jack Walsh. He adds a lot of impetus and always plays with his head up at 10, but so often his kicking both from hand, where is range is quite poor, and at goal where he misses far too many of what you should expect your 10 to kick. I dont know if he will ever improve these aspects, as they would obviously have been identified by the coaching staff, and im sure he would have been working on them for the last 2 years with them.

Owen Williams. I dont like to slate a player whos clearly low on confidence, but he really should be doing better with his kicking from hand and goal kicking, simply for the fact that he is more than capable of doing it, and has pretty much built his career on those aspects. Its unforgiveable how many times hes missing touch with important kicks. Surely he sould just be playing it safer on distance and making sure he finds touch each time. Im hoping that a injury free off-season will do him the world of good, and who knows maybe some time with a mentor to jusr regain his confidence.

That leaves Dan Edwards. Its obviously encouraging what we see from him, but we cant put everything on hi shoulders, its far too early for that. We need to give him time to grow and mature.

As an aside, how good would it be to bring someone like Dan Biggar back to the club as a mentor/coach. I know its probably pie in the sky, but Toulon management have made noises about him possibly not being needed/wanted next year. I know it would cost a prety penny, but i beleive the plan going forward is for the teams to spend more on their infrastructure and coaching?

Owen has been a high quality goal and line kicker. I suspect groin injuries have taken their toll and he now has to compensate. Edwards and Walsh need time with a kicking coach in the same way Lake and Parry needed a throwing coach. Are they spending enough time with Hook or is he up to it. They are both young enough to improve. If there is room for player coaches I would be spending that on Tips before Biggar.

Don’t think the Botha ban hurt us. It gave Henry the chance to prove he is up to it and Warren proved what we saw against Edinburgh and Lions. He cannot hold up. Don’t think that Botha being there would have made any difference. They are a powerful side and our half backs cost us the try bonus point which was always going to be our maximum return from today.

I have to say I have seen the Bulls loose head demolish some decent tight heads, Rhys Henry did very well against him. As you said proving he is a match day squad player.

Agree Rhys is a bona fide front line squad player who can also cover loose head. We rely so much on our set piece we cannot risk injury derailing it by having to put Warren on the field so another tight head is a key requirement. Do you take a risk of an ageing Henry Thomas an injury riddled Leon Brown or do you go for a nwq. Not sure what budget we have but we need somebody in addition to Botha and Henry to hold up the scrum and Hire and Fackrell are not ready yet.

A mini-bomb squad off the bench with Morse starting at 6 and Deaves and Ratti as subs seems as good as we could hope for. Starting with Walsh at 10 is a sign of good intentions for a running game.

Bulls players have been very complementary about the Ospreys pack and are preparing for an arm wrestle. We won't catch them cold after last weekend.

Don’t fancy this one. They are loaded and motivated by Munster defeat. Would gladly take and form of losing bonus point

Agree, I have a bad feeling on this one, especially as we have been crowing about 4 from 4 against SA sides.

Fricker was the travelling reserve for the Sale match so I assume he is fit.

I think Florence is a tad taller though he too has been injured and the form Keelan has been in, in both attack and defence, most would accept his lack of aerial prowess.

Yes you accept one of your wings not having aerial prowess when he has the skillset of Keelen. You cannot accept if for both wings though particularly in tight games where opponents target us aerially.