Macca Madness

Macca Madness
By Andrew Collins
November 20 2006

Is it just me, or is versatile back, Nick Macleod, being victimised by head coach Dai Young?

The now 23 year old full back cum outside half cum centre has been given very limited first team action this year, and has been embarrassed by 5 minutes cameos at the end of matches, clearly not enough time to prove his worth.

 

Macleod has had some great impact performances in the short time he has spent on the field, but still finds himself confined to the bench week in week out.

 

With Nick Robinson dropped from the Welsh squad, Macca has not been given his chance at 10, while the recruitment of Ben Blair has meant he could not continue in a position he looked comfortable in last term, covering the injured Rhys Williams at full back.

 

In my opinion 12 is his best position, and although Jamie Robinson, Shanklin and Stitch have been playing well, it would appear Dai Young is not showing any faith in the now fairly long-term servant.

 

He burst onto the scene back in 2003 during the last year of professional club rugby, his highlight perhaps being a 35 metre drop goal that secured a win over rivals Ponty in the Welsh-Scottish League match.

 

Since then he has had a few poor performances with the Blues, but matured very well at full back and centre last year, during Rhys Williams and Jamie Robinsons’ injured spells.

 

He was even relegated to the Cardiff club side for large parts of last year, but has since proved to be a very useful utility back.

 

He was even called up to Gareth Jenkins’ Welsh squad to take on Argentina in the summer, and though his chance never came, the call up was just reward for a fine end to last season.

 

It’s thought his contract expires at the end of this year, and surely the young talent will be looking at other offers. But I am personally very keen for the City born Macleod to stay; hopefully Dai will have the same mentality.

 

Last year, Lee Thomas was frozen out and left for pastures new with sale. It would be a real shame to see another young Welsh talent leave, especially if it’s in favour of a foreign replacement.

 

But that just one man’s opinion, id be really interested to hear what you lot think, so if you want your say, post it in the forum, or below this story.