Who would you sign from RU?

[loyal]

Jonah Lomu and Jason Robinson

[Panchitta Marra]

Knutsford pie man posted:
If we had no cap and could sign any union player, who would you sign (if any)?

My choice would be Brian O'Driscol. His speed in passing the ball and his vision for spotting the gap would be truely great to see in the Wigan shirt!

The lad who was playing No 11 for Wales looked to have some potential. I dont rate defence in union, but the lad broke the game line a few times with sheer pace. Martin Offiah wasnt the best Rugby League player but he had speed in abundance. Speed is a terrific assest in most sports.

[Matthew]

I think that the 6 nations is still at the same standard it was when England won it prior to the RU world cup.

At the time England swept aside all opponents on course to the world cup. Even though the grand slam was still available to Ireland when they met for the last game of the championship - there was only ever one team in the competition.

This time - a couple results aside (most noticeably England vs Ireland) a lot of the games could have gone either way. France could have lost to Ireland. Ireland could have lost to Scotland and/or Wales.

England are currently in transition (using 30+ players for the tournament); however it is a world cup year (which they are defending) and so won't be able to start properly rebuilding until it is over (lost).

Likewise something has to be done regarding central contracts - you can't expect players to be fresh when they have to play games for their club sides; especially if their opponents get a break.

Ireland are a good side - however they are not a great side. They do get up for big games - however they have a tendency to be poor against "lesser" sides (Scotland being a prime example) and even at their best I can't see them giving the All blacks too much trouble.

After all is said and done I think that the All blacks will probably win the World Cup at a canter.

[Panchitta Marra]

FROM A TO B posted:
Deveraux, VA’AIGA LEALUGA TUIGAMALA, Botica, Offiah, Boston, Tate

oooops, I seem to have time warped (it's just a jump to the left) :eusa4:

It takes a long time with intense training to get any RU player up to the strength and fitness levels required in League. The same applied to all of the above players mentioned. Many years ago I spoke to Jonnathon Davies (who was also then a rep for Hertel), in a building in Sellafield. I asked him what he thought of the change from playing union to league. He said that at first he was in total shock as Dougy Laughton had told him that if he was to play for Widnes first team he would have to put on a stone and a half in weight, plus become ten yards faster over 100. Davies then said that if was not for the fact he was totally self motivated, he could not have acheived this. He became a very good league player, after I guess most people thought he would have been a flop. We all know too well how long it took Tuigamala to become a regular at Wigan. Wigan's best culture has been with the youngsters born and bred, and have to get back to bringing the right ones through and keeping them.

[num lock]

Matthew Tait.