One thing I don't like about Lomax in the halves is that he has a curious habit of jumping when he catches the ball, even when the pass is right in the bread basket. This might sound like an odd thing to bring up, but when you're receiving the ball near the defensive line you have very little time to act. Spending a second in midair, where you are unable to pass or change direction, cuts down your options and gives the defence precious time to get up in your face. At full back, where you tend to receive the ball further back, this is less of an issue.

You'll see a couple of players do that if you look for it. I put it down to the fact that your motion is a lot more constant once you're airborne. If you are still taking steps, you're very up and down. This will help him receive the ball safely but is definatley something that should have been coached out of him. It'll also help you twist your body back to the ball if your running an utside curve.

It makes it far easier to make a sudden change of direction and either beat the man on the outside or expose a weak inside shoulder. I do it myself, subconciously, on occasion and if anything I would say it benefits my game.

I think we're talking about slightly different situations.

Jason Robinson used to do what you talk about and you do see players use it well, but that tends to be once a player has the ball in hand and has chosen to run it.

What Dux is concerned about is the handling side of things and Lomax jumping before he recieves the ball. The effect of this, assuming he needs to move the ball on (as a standoff commonly will) means its an extra split second before he lands again and regains the purchase to twist his body to effect the pass.

Aye. I think Jordan Turner is an example of the kind of think Backrow Saint is talking about - he'll take the ball to a defender and hop, which makes it difficult for the defender to know which way he's going to take off when he lands. It's a useful way for a threequarter or a back rower to beat a man, but ideally a half-back should always have a number of options open to him when he's up towards the line. Whilst in midair he has none.

Give over. When has Jordan Turner ever beat a man with that ridiculous goose step? Truth is, it's not an attempt to beat the defender, it's because he doesn't want to run the ball in hard because he's a complete wuss.

Alright then, a different example: Josh Morris scored a cracking try against Newcastle the other day by doing this.

Ironically, he scored against us last season doing it.

we told you the lads class thats his DR over i reckon

He'd be my first choice winger for next year, great pace and took his tries well.

Needs to work on his bomb disposal but the kid is lightning.

He played well. The only low point for me was the try that Charnley scored (the one set up by Hampshire). There was a moment where he could have got him, but he hesitated and lost him. Great show overall, though; good finishing and effective kick returns. Can't really blame him for the try from the kick - it's tough to deal with those when you're standing still and the attacker is approaching at full pace.

It was a forward pass from Hampshire.

Fair play. He played well. My only concern with him is defensively.