Quote: RoverAndOut "Chessy said he still has a future at the club, but you can see that Cox is very different to the players we have signed in his position. This year our second row comprises tackle machines with good engines and it seems to really be helping the defence. I also found it telling that Chester didn't see him as an option at prop with our recent difficulties - I did hear he was injured, so I may just be reading too much into that.
In my opinion he has/had real promise and if he wants to build on this he either needs to bulk up so that he can be classed as an impact second row/prop, or improve his fitness so that he can play bigger minutes - at the minute he is halfway between which doesn't suit our current tactics - although it may suit another clubs.'"
I think the point of his not having a clearly defined best position is right. I think he was seen initially as a big marauding second rower - maybe roughly in the mould of a Gareth Hock, Cory Paterson or Ali lauititi. But he hasn't managed, yet, to justify a regular place fulfilling that role. It's a bit of a luxury role, and Paterson apart, we've generally gone with smaller backrowers with bigger engines.
he's not quite a natural prop yet either though. My gut feeling, which I know some people think stupid, as they want to see him knocking over fringe defenders, is that prop is where he will end up. I suspect he'll always be a bit of an unorthodox prop, and he's now fallen behind (the older) James Green, so perhaps this loan deal will help clarify how to get the best from him.