Ben Youngs

[TigerLad]

I thought he had a decent game. Not his best by any means, but then it was a tough day for a scrum half. Very difficult to look good when you're playing alongside a full back at 10 stood deep in conditions like today. He's a wonderful player and IMO it's a bit harsh to judge a player like YBY on that kind of game.

[rocktop51]

I thought he had a decent game. Not his best by any means, but then it was a tough day for a scrum half. Very difficult to look good when you're playing alongside a full back at 10 stood deep in conditions like today. He's a wonderful player and IMO it's a bit harsh to judge a player like YBY on that kind of game.

Totally agree - always difficult when you don't play naturally as a 10.

[LE18]

I thought it very interesting in the warm up, Ben was out there with a coach who was making him pass out whilst on the ground, I immediately thought they were trying to stop him taking a couple of steps before passing, Harrison does this very well, quick ball and I think our management are disappointed that Ben is not quick enough with his pass, and I guess that was why he was taken off so early.

[sapajo]

Frankly I thought both Ben's and Sam's service has not improved post the specialist pass coaching. It was often delivered at head or foot height. I think Ben's isssue is the length of his back swing before he releases his pass it seems to take an age. He should take a leaf out of Stringers book and not bother with any back swing.

[fentiger]

I thought both of our scrum halves were poor today, am interested to see what Kitto will bring to the party

[sapajo]

I thought both of our scrum halves were poor today, am interested to see what Kitto will bring to the party

Agreed

[sam16111986]

Trying to pass in a small storm is my exactly easy. I thought both played pretty well but given the conditions it was a tough day at the office.

[h's dad]

Frankly I thought both Ben's and Sam's service has not improved post the specialist pass coaching. It was often delivered at head or foot height. I think Ben's isssue is the length of his back swing before he releases his pass it seems to take an age. He should take a leaf out of Stringers book and not bother with any back swing.

He should practice the scrum half pass they learn at junior level to gain that fraction of a second. Sorry Ben but it does wind me up watching you make that first pass in slow motion.

[ellis9]

If you take those steps away from Ben's game, then you take away his best attribute as a Scrum Half. He needs to take those steps so that he can spot the gaps to snipe through when they exist. What could be done for him to realise when to take those few steps and when not to take them. Please let's not see this attribute disappear from his game.

[vin rouge]

looks like contract discussions going well Tkane from here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... ought.html:


To complete a miserable afternoon for Bath, Cockerill announced that he expects England scrum-half Ben Youngs, who has been linked with a possible move to The Rec, to sign a new contract with Leicester.
“I think they [Bath] might be interested in him. But Ben loves playing for this club. His dad played for this club at nine and his brother plays for the club,” Cockerill said.
“My discussions and Aaron Mauger’s [Leicester’s head coach] discussions with Ben have been very positive ones.”

[trendylfj]

Have to agree with you VR - it certainly is beginning to look as though he will//might stay.

In the article on Manu - RC says

"He wanted to see how it worked with Aaron. Clearly we have set our intent with guys like Toomua coming in and hopefully there will be one or two others in that backline who will improve that backline even more. Ben wants to be part of that."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/34965892

I also like the bit about hopefully there will be one or two others.

[JackFlashJonny]

Good news..For me there are few 9's like Youngs..he holds the defence in a way the Harrisons et al cannot because he is such a threat..yes he isn't as quicksilver with service sometimes as people would like but he has such quality..

[Hinckley Bob]

If you take those steps away from Ben's game, then you take away his best attribute as a Scrum Half. He needs to take those steps so that he can spot the gaps to snipe through when they exist. What could be done for him to realise when to take those few steps and when not to take them. Please let's not see this attribute disappear from his game.

+1

[L Smith]

If you take those steps away from Ben's game, then you take away his best attribute as a Scrum Half. He needs to take those steps so that he can spot the gaps to snipe through when they exist. What could be done for him to realise when to take those few steps and when not to take them. Please let's not see this attribute disappear from his game.

It's the fly half's job to be the eyes of the scrum-half as the scrum-half often has his head in a ruck.
Floody was excellent at communicating to YBY and I think it's taken a long time for YBY to get to grips with losing Floody. The relationship, understanding and communication between 9 and 10 is key.

[Tyzot]

Agreed - If we can stop breaking 10s we will see him at his best again. We have seen flashes of his individual best (Stade etc.) but need that long standing relationship.