17 for Cas and match updates

Quote: The Avenger "IMO, such that it is, the greatest skill we lack is interplay between the forwards.
Our forwards never combine in either edge or the middle channels in order to create room and pull defenders in. We lack genuine options or support play on both sides of the ball carrier which means we're getting met by three man tackles who have lined us up therefore we get dominated, lose the ruck and can't get any momentum.

Having just one creative halfback is a problem because it's easy to defend against but there are other players/positions in the team, other than the half back, who can play creatively.

Watch the Huddersfield v Wigan match again but take note of the options on both sides of the play the ball on EVERY play, particularly from Huddersfield. Those options are provided by forwards combining in different ways time after time throughout. They then have the halves laying out at the back and providing the critical plays later in the set when the defence is stretched.

One other thing, they play attacking shape which constantly puts a big second rower on a half defending 3 or 2 in from the edge, it's not an accident.'"

Totally agree with that. Infact, it's a very good analysis. It literally is one out rugby from our forwards and it is so predictable what they're going to do, there are never any runners off them and there is never anyone offering back-up support if they poke their noses through the line. Attacking structure is also not present. I said this after the friendly with Cas: Cas have a really deep attacking line and this means they can run onto the ball at pace, we stand so flat and take the ball at a stand still. This is surely basic for a coach like Brian Smith. Surely these structures should have been perfected in the off season. I don't mean perfected as in every single play they are executed perfectly, but the players should at least be able to set themselves up in that way. But nope.