IF they left...

IF they left...
By Andrew Collins
January 25 2007

Just suppose the Robinson's, Mike Phillips and Nick Macleod did leave in the summer, where woul that leave us?

Starting numerically, Mike Phillips at 9 would undoubtedly be the biggest loss. With rumours of Andy Williams coming in, it would see much of the agressive nature, and quick play that keeps opposition on the back foot, dissapear.

He is consistant, keeps injury free, and is one of teh players who can get the side really fired up.

Ed fairhurst has shown to be a good acquisition, though as a forgeiner, it would seem his time here wil be cut short, come the end of the season. If Phillips does leave, and of course there is no confirmation that he will, Dai should look closely at Fairhurst, and double-check he really does want to get rid of him.

The other option is the Dragons scrum half, Gareth Cooper. Formerly a Lion, Coop has gone down the pecking order with wales, and would relise a coach such as Howley. His contract is up in the summer, but it's thought he will stay with in Newport.

Moving on to Robinson. He may well have suffered from poor form this year, but i would still rather see him there than Sweeney, or many other outside halfs for that matter.

He's not afraid to throw the ball around, and undoubtedly holds the key to our entire back line. Bath are interested, and rightly so. he proved last week that he can kick goal with the best of them, and would be a fabulous signing for any side. The impact would only be seen after he'd gone.

With Gareth Thomas and Sweeney coming in to the Blues, Nick Macleod is going to find it even hard to find a place at 10 or 12, and with Rhys Williams and Blair at 15, for his own development, maybe should look elsehwre. Its a shame, because i really rate the lad at 12, but unfortunatley, may well be off to Northampton.

As for Jamie, many of you know how highly i reguard him. He's one of Wales' most underrated players, and fully deserves his call up. He never misses a tackle in defence, and offers the kind of pace, skill and vision that make him an ideal outside centre. I'm in the beleif that he will stay, but again, with Stitch, Garteh Thomas and Shanklin to compete with, may fancy his chances of first team rugby elsewhere.