Ben Youngs

[Chobbsy]

Is it me or is his demeanour and lack of umph when playing seem similar to that of Matt Toomua's when he decided he was leaving?

[fentiger]

Is it me or is his demeanour and lack of umph when playing seem similar to that of Matt Toomua's when he decided he was leaving?

Could be, except it's been like for several seasons.....

[DingDong]

Until the pack start to show some umph then I wouldn't worry too much about Ben, and when they finally give him a decent platform to work from, I have no doubt he and all other SH's will show their umph!

[POSTIGER]

I love Ben Youngs but can't help but feel a change might be the best thing for both player and club. This is in no way a reflection on his abilities, just my opinion that he needs a change of scenery.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Last really good performance for Tigers was Munster away when we won there.

[drc_007]

If he box kicks no-one chases.
If he snipes close the breakdown no-one follows him so he can't offload and he gets isolated and turned over.
If he tries to pass to a forward, they are standing still and gets stopped behind the mainline.
He then has to run backwards to get to the breakdown and dig it out to pass to another stationary forward.

[Chobbsy]

Until the pack start to show some umph then I wouldn't worry too much about Ben, and when they finally give him a decent platform to work from, I have no doubt he and all other SH's will show their umph!

He had a very good platform on Saturday,

[MCC1964]

Is it me or is his demeanour and lack of umph when playing seem similar to that of Matt Toomua's when he decided he was leaving?

No. I think you’re seeing what you want to see and what you are suggesting is not quantifiable. It’s quite clear and regardless of form how much he and his brother love this club. That being said, all players have to perform so it’s also now up to Ben White and the others to put pressure on when they get their opportunities (which they have been getting and will continue to get with Sam having headed off to Oz) and I just haven’t seen that so far. I certainly don’t get the impression that it’s due to lack of trying, but as with your opinion that’s only mine.

[Chobbsy]

Is it me or is his demeanour and lack of umph when playing seem similar to that of Matt Toomua's when he decided he was leaving?

No. I think you’re seeing what you want to see and what you are suggesting is not quantifiable. It’s quite clear and regardless of form how much he and his brother love this club. That being said, all players have to perform so it’s also now up to Ben White and the others to put pressure on when they get their opportunities (which they have been getting and will continue to get with Sam having headed off to Oz) and I just haven’t seen that so far. I certainly don’t get the impression that it’s due to lack of trying, but as with your opinion that’s only mine.

I am a big BY fans always have been, I think he is brilliant for England but I don't see that in a Tiger's shirt (anymore) I totally agree with your sentiment about him and Tom loving the club, but as we all know the life span of rugby player (in playing terms) is not very long, so I wouldn't blame him or be surprised if he was looking for a retirement package some where else.

[ay2oh]

Can’t understand people who say Ben plays poorly because he hasn’t got a platform. Faf de Clerk, Robson, Simpson et al all seem to be able to make breaks from broken play regardless of the platform they have.
In any case our scrum is probably the best in the premiership. Would much rather keep May and let Ben go and give White and Simmons a go

[CitizenSmiff]

It's really sad that our 200+ cap little legend has become such a polarising figure. I can see the validity of arguments from both camps but myself I'm waiting until I see him play for a head coach with an actual plan before I make a judgement. Being the fulcrum in a rickety old see-saw can't be easy.

[mol2]

I don't think he has played too badly this season - seems to have reduced the tendency to tell the ref how to do his job rather than get the ball out.

Is the kicking aimless - I think that is more of a reflection that we don't have a chase plan for our kicks (from scrum half or fly half).

I think he is under more pressure from White this year (who was painfully slow to move the ball last season) which is a good thing.

[speedski]

I don't think it helps that he tends to turn in better performances for England than he does for us, and that's not down to the presentation of the ball either - he's just sharper and seems to have less of a pickup, move three paces and then distribute for England than he does us.

Its almost as if hes playing the way the prem used to be pace-wise with the old ruck/scrum model than the new faster pack, wider distributed ways of today.

[TigerBoy1880]

If Ben Youngs does leave, I very much think it will be a case of you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone for many on here.

[Crofty]

If Ben Youngs does leave, I very much think it will be a case of you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone for many on here.

Because that has never happened before...