Thought I'd get this done today so I can do the three quarters and combined side tomorrow, anyway ...
Inside Centre
Options: Brad Barritt, Wesley Fofana, Florian Fritz, Gordon D'Arcy, Alberto Sgarbia, Gonzalo Javier Canale, Graeme Morrison, Sean Lamont, Jamie Roberts
Pretty much the role of the quiet, hard working and generally under appreciated character compared to the glory boys at 13. Scotland and Italy have had highly forgettable tournaments here, D'Arcy has been out of form; Fofana and Barritt are going well but still too young, so by process of elimination its Jamie Roberts
Outside Centre:
Options: Manu Tuilagi, Aurelien Rougerie, Keith Earls, Tommaso Benevenuti, Nick De Luca, Jonathan Davies
With Brian O'Driscoll absent, who has stepped up to inherit his shirt? As at 12 its not been a vintage year for Scotland or Italy. Earls seemed to feel the weight of his inheritance on his shoulders a bit - though I think he could be really good here in later years. Rougerie seemed quiet and was perhaps unsettled by what was going on in the half backs for France, plus having Fofana inside him, and whilst Davies was good and solid, its Tuilagi for me. His sheer power makes him great to watch, for his try in Paris he was tackled outside the 5 metre line (by Rougerie - no flyweight like Parra or Trinh-Duc) and still flew over, one both for the future and the present
Team of the tournament - Centres
posted on 22/3/12
Jamie Roberts and Manu Tuilagi. Agreed.
posted on 22/3/12
, although I'd probably pick Johnny D and Tuilagi if either played at 12 (which both could imho).
posted on 22/3/12
Roberts
Totally agree, and furthermore i find it rather surprising that in the Lions thread Roberts has got a bit of stick. I dont know what tournament some people were watching but Roberts is an outstanding 12, tho sometimes a little up and down with his form.
Tuilagi by default.
I guess its a lack of quality options that leaves this one to Tuilagi, but im not convinced by him. Outside centers need more to their game then brute force. But as there in not much else to choose from i guess he gets the nod.
posted on 22/3/12
I thought Roberts had a quietish 6Nations by his standards and while he may still be the best Inside Centre in Europe I can't pick him as the best in this tournament.
That honour must go to Wesley Fofana. One of the few positives in a disastrous French side and scorer of 4 tries in his 1st four games.
At outside it's a fight between the differing styles of Earls and Tuilagi.
Tuilagi smashes holes like a sledgehammer on steroids while Earls darts and flits like a demented pixie. I can't remember either of them passing the ball.
No, in the end I'll go for Davies, nothing very showy but gets the job done, moves the ball on and took his tries well in a low scoring Wales team.
posted on 22/3/12
I suspect Davies would be rather disappointed he didn't get a good description unlike the "sledgehammer on steroids" and "demented pixie"
You clearly had an inspired lunch!
posted on 22/3/12
Yeah, apologies to Mr Davies, ran out of nonsense.
posted on 22/3/12
Fofana
Tuilagi
I didnt think people would pick anyone else.
posted on 26/3/12
barritt
davies