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The sixth in a seven-part series in the run up to this summer’s selection, taking a look at the 2013 incumbents and their chances of being selected again.
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Part 1: Props
Part 2: Hookers
Part 3: Locks
Part 4: Back row
Part 5: Half Backs
JAMIE ROBERTS
2013 tour: ‘Gatlandball’ is the word used for the Welsh strategy of running fast, hard and straight into contact and offloading when you want to keep the ball alive, rather than relying on complex set plays. If you want to do it well, you needed someone like Jamie Roberts, or at least the Roberts that was around in the early part of the 2010s. Roberts missed the first two tests through injury but was always going to be picked when fit, and scored in the third.
Since then: Like many of the top draw players from that tour, Roberts went to France and back, and the standard to which his Gatlandball is viewed has fallen dramatically. In an attempt to find a 12 who passes the ball, Wales have been picking Scott Williams since the autumn. Results are ‘mixed’. Roberts is currently a mysteriously impactless bench option.
Touring chances: 20%. Spent the six nations looking nothing like the star formerly known as Jamie Roberts, but we are talking about someone who went on his first Lions tour aged 20 and the second one aged 24. There’s usually a couple more when that happens.
BRIAN O’DRISCOLL
2013 tour: On his fourth Lions tour, the Leinster and Ireland legend was presumed to partner Roberts in the centre. He partnered Welsh 13 Jonathan Davies instead, who played so well on that tour that Warren Gatland played Roberts and Davies in the third test, with no centre on the bench. Some people were ‘miffed’, others went as far as ‘peeved’. Keith Wood called the decision ‘catastrophic’ and said Gatland was just picking names randomly out of a bag. In the end it was fine.
Since then: O’Driscoll saved some of his best rugby for last in the 2014 six nations with a second Irish title, followed by a victorious 16th and final season with Leinster. Retired afterwards to focus on winning a world cup knockout game on his xbox.
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Touring chances: 0%. If he was still playing some club rugby I could see it happening, but he seems to be happy with the pundit’s chair. Which is curious itself, considering how that involves proximity to Austin Healy.
JONATHAN DAVIES
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2013 tour: Known for running hard and offloading rather than playmaking, Davies is one of those backs. The kind that wears an unnecessary scrum cap, has silly try celebrations, gets picked ahead of your favourite player and then drives through a puddle next to a pedestrian on the way home. I’m guessing. Played himself into being Roberts’ injury replacement with some fine performances midweek before controversially keeping his place.
Since then: Has remained a mainstay in the Welsh backline. Went to play in the top 14 and came back again, like the rest of them, but was part of the Clermont side that made dual Top 14 and European Cup finals in 2015.
Touring chances: 65%. Faces competition with England’s Elliot Daly and Ireland’s Gary Ringrose, but I’d expect his experience and versatility will get him the nod over the Leinster man. Picking him over the new Brian O’Driscoll would also be appropriately dastardly.
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MANU TUILAGI
2013 tour: The youngest and most talented of the many Tuilagis to make Leicester their home, Manusamoa was the one young enough to become an England player. In a few short years in the early 2010s he quickly became the best of them too. The 213 Lions’ strength at centre limited him to one test appearance, but still it seemed reasonable to think it was only a matter of time.
Since then: That didn’t happen. Injuries have come thick and fast and Tuilagi has barely had any matches between comebacks and getting his next long term injury. In the turmoil among Leicester’s coaching staff, Tuilagi’s latest season-ending injury coincided with Tigers veteran Cockerill being sacked. It probably wasn’t a coincidence – getting Tulagi fit again has to be a point of interest for more than just him.
Touring chances: 4%. He is out for the season and has been for some time, as well as not being a regular England player for three years. Still, that didn’t stop Matt Stevens from touring last time. Manu Tuilagi, for the record, is better than Matt Stevens. He’s still, remarkably, only 25. Maybe his time will come.
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BRAD BARRITT
2013 tour: Known for being a defensive powerhouse while having the attacking instincts of Gandhi at Glastonbury, Barritt was one of many centre experiments in England’s years under Lancaster. Called up as ‘backline cover’, which is to say, midweek team filler once the tryouts finished, Barritt played two games.
Since then: Can a centre live on defence alone? The answer is, yes, so long as you are not playing Test matches and your club team is the rugby equivalent of the Borg. Barritt’s England career seems to be finished with Farrell moving into the much passed 12 spot successfully, but he continues to be an effective operator for Saracens and has since taken the club captaincy.
Touring chances: 2%. Even if the star power at centre is not what is was four years ago, there is more depth there now, so Barritt shouldn’t really be required. He wasn’t especialy required in 2013 either, but here we are.
BILLY TWELVETREES
2013 tour: Like Barritt, ’36’ as he was known was a sometimes in and sometimes out England centre who played the Brumbies and Rebels in the second half of the tour.
Since then: In 2013 Twelvetrees was an exciting thing – a creative 12 who could attack, defend, kick and pass. It took a couple of years of ups and downs before it was decided that he did not do any of these things particularly well and he mostly created frustration. Another England centre career put to bed by the new version of Owen Farrell, but he still plays for Gloucester.
Touring chances: 1%. Bastion of creativity he may be, but it’s hard to see his services being called upon any more. We probably need him to make the compulsory early 30s move to a mid-table club in France for fans to start talking him up again.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to comments