Quote: leedsnsouths "From an outsiders perspective, I don't understand why Tomkins escapes flak for these performances. He is the highest paid player in the league (reportedly by some distance), yet seemingly can't break down a defence. He doesn't look like breaking the line unless the defence completely switch off, and his passing game is very overrated, he knows when to release the ball but can't pull out a long cut out pass or spot when a flat short ball would put someone through a gap.
Also if Williams wants to become your main half, he has to improve his play outside the opposition 20.'"
It has never been a case of five Tomkins the ball and he'll do something. Tomkins' ability was based on the timing and angles of his run. To do that others have to create the space. I watched bits of the game back this morning. When we shift the ball, firstly it is slow out of dummy half, then there are feeble efforts at dummy runs which don't attract any attention of the defence as it is obvious they are not getting the ball. Once the ball arrives to Tomkins all he can do is shift it on. He still has the ability the team need to play to his strengths.
Williams still has a lot to learn, I wonder if he will be another on the long list of English halves who end up at hooker.