Henson for Welsh captain? People are calling for it and here is an interesting read and why people are thinking it. Very honest and what Wales need, in my opinion

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7957642.stm

congrats to ireland, as an english fan im pretty hopeful for next year, we finished as top try scorers comfortably only lost one line out all tournament and conceded fewest points, it was our own indiscipline and a couple of instances of poor composure that were the difference between a decent second place this year and hopefully a title next year.

Sharn't argue too much with what's been posted as I really haven't the time at the minute.

I shall just say that both O'Gara and Phillips are the most overrated players in the tournement.

O'Gara has a great game every now and then, that's all. The Irish back line, being as superb as it is, makes him look better than what he is. He doesn't control the game, his kicking has been horendous all tournement. Had it not been for a brilliant Irish pack he would of lost the Irish games! Just my opinion of course.


I don't see why the Lions need a strong scrum-half (or any team for that matter). If the pack is good enough the scrum-half will be well protected (look at Ireland and England). I'm sure the general concesus will disagree but I'd like to see Stringer go with the Lions. I prefer my scrum-halfs wiley and smart - not big and stupid! Plus I'm gonna guess that there will be a big Irish contingent in the backs, and with O'Driscoll as captain, why not?

Henson as captain for Wales? Are you joking? I'm not even going to read that article. The man is a joke. He's a self-confessed neurotic. What kind of captain goes round beating people up in clubs in the middle of the night? One minute Wales are calling for the egos to be gotten rid of, next they're calling for the biggest egomaniac to be captain. I really wish Wales wouldn't jump on this performance and call for drastic change. You have a superb captain already. You do have the squad. Build on what you have! Then again, put him as captain - see what happens.


Edited by forum moderator 1_eye, at 20:43 Tue 24/03/09 (GMT)

As captain for the summer tour, sorry I should have mentioned that

But he will no doubt go on the tour. Henson was the Welsh defense and backline captain during the 2008 and 2005 Grand slams, he is held in very high regard and speaks openly and hoenstly to players, which is Wales is method, unlike most countries. I would hope and in-fact am asking, before saying those very inaccurate things about one of Wales finest players and one of the worlds finest talents, that you gather an opinion by watching his rugby and what he offers on that rugby field. You and others sound silly, when he wins the test series for the lions and wins player of the tour, I hope you say the same stuff. And please don't listen to the media, you should know better. It must be jealousy, look at how England ripped Beckham apart, now look at how they kiss his backside, it's a bit like Henson, just over here (where it counts) we all know it's a load of crap. And if you are to gather opinoin from pundits, don't 'listen to papers, or inparticvular the BBC and Mr Inverdale and co, listen to rugby pundits. It will go a long way to helping people figure out the truth.

As for the night you refer to, like I said you are very silly if you believe what you read about Henson in the papers. That night, there was 8 Welsh players who caused a seen in Cardiff, can you name the other 7? Dowt it because Henson took all the headlines, though all 8 apologised. It's just silly listening to the crap that, in particular the English make of Henson, people can be very naive at times.

Phillips is overrated and I would have him as my third choice scrum half for Wales. Like I said he will go because he offers something different to other scrum halfs, and if he finds some decent form, is likely to play in front of the other scrum halfs because he is well suited to a physical, South African tour. I would love to see Peel or Blair as the Lions scrum half, they are the most intelligent and best technical scrum halfs in the British Isles, and offer a great attacking threat, just not so physical.

A tad harsh on O'Gara surely. His form has dipped of late and he hasn't had the best tournament, but you can't argue with the greatness of the fifth highest points scorer in the history of international rugby and the all-time highest scorer in the Six Nations. Back at the start of the decade when Ireland didn't have such a depth of talent it was often him and him alone that pulled us through games. And look at his record for Munster. He's the only player to score over 1000 points in Heineken Cup history, 300 points ahead of his closest rival Stephen Jones.
Just sayin'!

Unlike most countries? I think most countries operate like that, England certainly use to.

How am I inaccurate? Those words are his, as well as some Welsh pundits that I've described him as.

It's not just his rugby you have to worry about when being captain though, is it? It'd be silly to think otherwise.



If he goes on tour.

Why should we not form opinions based on what we read? Personally I don't read any tabloids (unless you count The Times) so can't really form opinions on such fact from media sources like 'The Sun' or 'The Daily Star'. I read internet articles from BBC and other rugby sources.

Why not John Inverdale? He's a reliable rugby source who knows his stuff. I believe the BBC have a great wealth of talent when commentating on rugby. John Inverdale is a rugby pundit too you know? ;-)

I don't see how anyone is jealous. I don't understand your rant on Beckham.

I don't see how you know the truth anymore than anyone else. Are you his best mate or something??

Granted it wasn't just him. However I wasn't referring to that one night. How many other times has it happened? I certainly remember reading about him on more than one occasion. Although I say read, I tend to glance over such things as they don't interest me unless it's an English player I like.

What do 'us English' make of Henson then? I've actually largely formed my opinion from Welsh pundits I listen to when watching Magners rugby.

I'll also appreciate it if you don't form an opinion of me based on what your stereotypical, ethnocentric views are of 'The English'. I'm me. I could be Welsh, I'd still be the same. Hope you understand what I'm saying.

Your complaining about jumping on media bandwagons - what are you on? ;-)

You are largely right. He has been a fantastic player for Ireland, dragging them to their pinacle as you've said.

His record at Munster is amazing. It'll take something/someone special to emulate it.

However - I feel his game has slipped. I've watched him alot this rugby season, and it hasn't been good. I understand everyone worrying about who can take his place, but I think he'd be a liability for the Lions now.

I haven't fully decided over who can replace him, as I'm not a massive Stephen Jones fan, although he is a brilliant player.

I've just read that O'Connol and O'Driscoll are the two up for captaincy with the Lions. I think the majority will prefer O'Driscoll, as I would too. A seasoned Lions tourer with great leadership, practically won Ireland a grand slam!!
(I refer to the times when Ireland have looked done for and he was the one picking them up, as great captains should!)

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O' Driscoll WILL be Lions captain, no doubt about it.

Your miles off with Henson, in my opinion. I live here and listen to who I consider Welsh pundits every day, and I have never ever heard any of them call him anything close to an idiot

I would say to be captain of a rugby team, your rugby plays the biggest role. Off the field, he is a role model in Wales. You don't get better criteria. Henson speaks with honesty to the press and has the same attitude as the rest of the Welsh team, so I really don't get where your coming from,as he fill the criteria just as much, except of course the media don't leave the poor guy alone.

He has been caught on a train after an Ospreys game being abusive, again with other Osprey players. So he may not have been the insticator and possibly the phrase 'guilty by association' is relevant in these cases. Granted he might have been, but you gotta also say there is as much chance he was not ebcause the press take things way over the top.


I wish people would just concentrate on his rugby, he is held in high regard, a senior player and a dam good player, an I cannot see it being a joke if he was made captain. He has got in a few scuffles just like any other pro rugby player Mike Tindall, senior player for England, a massive leader for you and probably one of the big characters in the English dressing room, he can be seen as a prime example. A similar character just does notreceive as much press or stick from people.

Inverdale is not a rubgy pundit, he just covers the rugby, like Steve Ryder does th football. His broadcastign can be brought into question, especially when he is seen by many as a very bias presenter. Like Jonathan Davies, I don't see it, but everyone else does.

Not so much jealous, but money making. Henson makes a good story as does Beckham. There is a lot of rubbish written about them that should not be believed.


Continued...

This post was out of line and has been edited to be, nicer' Apolgies for being intense and silly.

Edited at 21:58 Tue 24/03/09 (GMT)

The English and other nations do like to give lots of faulse stories about Henson, It should not even bother them to be fair as other countries of their own players to worry about. It just shows how is fame has got in the way of a glittering career that still offers and awful lot.

Welsh pundits and most of Wales supporters see him as a potentially a decent captain, a pivitol leader and player for us. I just feel it is wrong to speak about him in such a poor manner.




All in all, Henson is massive to the Welsh cause, off the field he is as bad as others, but gets all the headline due to his reputation. (You don't know what the other do off camera and out of rugby due to this, it could be worse) That's why I think it harsh what you and others say. To brush off Henson for captaincy of a development tour because of what headlins he recieves is silly and I hope that oen day he can prove himself

Edited at 21:42 Tue 24/03/09 (GMT)

Henson is a hothead. His book 'My Grandslam Year' took swipes at his Lions' team-mates and also his Wales comrades. And you want this man to be captain? Only last week he was whinging over the Welsh teams tactics, days before their clash with Ireland. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2009/03/16/henson-slams-wales-tactics-over-safety-first-kicking-plan-91466-23151800/ Whatever his opinion or whether he was right or wrong, this surely isn't professional behaviour. And look, I haven't even mentioned his off-the-field exploits which you are so desperate to overlook!
PS: The man is perma-tanned. I mean, come on
.

Do you want to know that Ryan Jones and co all question eachother on that training field, just because it is Henson, you know about it. he had an opinion just like you have, some agreed some didn't.

His book was honest and had things init that caused a stir. It was really the foundation where people have jumped on the 'Henson hothead' Bandwhagon.

I'm not overlooking his off the field exploits, I'm simply saying that if every rugby player had reports on what they done off the field, then nobody would be able to be captain, well not many anyway.

He wasnt whinging before the irish game, he said they need to improve and going for goal to give Italy a shot at scoring a last minute try and winning, which would have ended all our hopes, was wrong. That is a valid point in my opinion Also He didn't come out to the media and say all this, the media picked up on him leaving the field and not coming back on which was wrong and he apolgised to the public for that. The media though printed faulse stories about a fight between him and Jones, so Henson and Jones had to come out and explain the situtation.

When you think how important he is to the Welsh set up, I think he will be a good captain, but of course like every other player, making them a captain is a gamble, look at Stephen Jones an Gareth Edwards.

He is a celebrity and is paying the price, and I think that's harsh.

Edited at 21:48 Tue 24/03/09 (GMT)

Captains should question their players on the training field. Players certainly shouldn't criticise decisions made on the eve of a big game in the media. That I guess we'll just have to disagree on.

On the field he is great, he brings a lot to a game. I wouldn't make him out to be god like as some do, however he did use to have that record of 6 nations wins and is obviously a big asset to any team.

As with any celebrity, half of them ask for what they get, he wants to be a celebrity because of the money it gets him, hence the autobiography. Unfortunately you have to take the good with the bad, as with all of them. I will reiterate, I'm not calling him a neurotic so n so, that was how he described himself........ well he didn't quite call himself an idiot, that was my word!


I understand what your trying to say about him being followed, and some of the false stories (however they aren't all English newspapers) but I think some of the stories have already been well proven. Obviously no-one is there to actually witness any of these situations. I think his book should be criticised, I agree with Andy about professionalism in sport. I thought the book was highly un-professional. Just because it's honest (although only honest to his opinion) there's no need to criticise your fellow players.

What has Ryan Jones done to have to lose the captaincy? It wasn't too long ago that he was being heralded as the greatest captain ever.


Mike Tindall? He's been done for drink-driving. I don't really know of anything else. I'm not his greatest fan, I doubt he'll be made captain as I think there are others better suited. Who knows.



Wales wasn't in contention in the very last minutes. You needed 13 points to take the championship!!! There's every logic in England getting 'one-up'!
:-P ;-)

I'd also like to point out that Monye has had two outstanding games for England, and has been playing well for his club all season

Henson as captain for the summer tour, Ryan Jones will go on the Lions, so will not be losing his captaincy.

I'm sure Mike Tindall has been done for assault? I could very well be mistaken, but that's what I was getting at with him.
If not, another example is Gareth Thomas, he had to go to court for cases of assualt and really was thick lol. He ended up leading the Lions. The case was only sorted not so long ago. I just think there are worse, and have been worse candidates than Henson, people just overlook him because of his lifestyle.

And yes you're right, we wern't in contention in the last minute It looked like it was going to happen at half time though !

Monye has been good since being brought in, but not as good as Sackey was before being taken out and not as good as some of the other wing options.
I think Kearney or Armitage will be taken as a winger, and Jamie Roberts missing out. As Mgeechan only took two fullbacks and fly halves last time he lead the Lions. That to me would really put pay to Monye's hopes, but he might not even follow the same pattern of last time, I can't really see how he can to be honest. He will need Hook or Cipriani to bring flair to the squad, so might drop the likes of D'arcy and one of those two taken as centre.

Who knows what is going on in his mind !!

I hope to god he doesn't take Cipriani, that boy isn't good enough yet, not for international rugby.

I think if Byrne stays injured (ankle, don't know how long for) Kearny and Armitage will for sure go, like you say though they can both switch to wing if need be.

I've actually been impressed more so with Monye than with Sackey, although Sackey is a great player, strong and reliable, Monye will happily run past anyone when given ball. It's whatever the coach prefers! Monye is still young and will no doubt go on a tour soon.

D'Arcy hasn't been back long so I can't see him getting in the team.

I can't remember the Tindall thing, more than likely true though knowing him!


Tigers top of the Guinness Premiership! Normally when the 6 Nations is playing we have a poor run, it seems not this year.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7965832.stm

Two Italian teams to join the Magners League in 10/11 season.

Seems the Scottish won't taking so many beatings now.....

I think that's great news, but got a feeling there might be a lot of problems with their inclusion. Facilities, clubs moaning, beatings week in week out, and of course financial issues. But hopefully it all goes nice and easy, it's a good move, especially for Italy. And of course a great excuse to dissapear to Italy for a weekend

Looking forward to the EDF cup today, hoping the Welsh players put in an excellent performance and show what they can do. Also looking forward to seeing Delve play for Gloucester. Should be a good game.

Here is the Ospreys team, quite interesting..

Ospreys: Henson; Bowe, Parker, Bishop, Williams; Hook, Nutbrown; P James, Hibbard, A Jones, Gough, Lloyd, Smith, Holah, R Jones (capt).
Replacements: Bennett, Griffiths, A-W Jones, Tiatia, Phillips, Biggar, Spratt.


Gutted to yet again see Henson wasted at fullback, though no doubt if he can be bothered and get enough ball will be the best player on the park Interesting to see Phillips dropped, I for one am happy, he is wayyy off form and could single handly lose us this game with his so service and poor decision making, though he could come on and make the difference.
Good stuff overall though, typical EDF team, strong bench solid team, expect a comfortable victory for both Welsh sides, dowt I'll get it though, but wil settle for just an Ospreys comfortable victory

What a great day of sport we have ahead of us !!

I've been watching both Magners and Guinness Premiership rugby all season now and at the beggining I would of gone for an all Wlesh final, without doubt.

However, English rugby has had a resurgence over the past months. The rugby being played has been phenomonal. Teams like Northampton and Quins have been putting in some great games, it's been wonderful stuff to watch.

I watched Opreys VS Munster a while back. Obviously due to the 6 Nations they were both down many players, the rugby was shocking.

Both teams in the EDF are all up to full-strength. Ospreys know they have something to prove I think so I'm expecting a solid performance from them. Gloucster haven't been great, their rugby has been solid at times but nothing special, not compared to others.

I'm expecting a great weekend of rugby!

I'm gonna predeict Ospreys to win overall!

Gloucester thumping Ospreys on the scoreboard, but definately doesn't reflect the game, 28 balls won in opponents 22 for the Ospreys but haven't got a point, 17-0 to Gloucester with 2 minutes to go and a wonderful try from Iain Balshaw a minute ago.