Should Shane Williams be expected to come of the wing to cover at scrum half on South Africa tour?

Question

I know that he has said that he will play in that position, I just wonder whether he is the biggest threat we have against the world champions by being on the wing & whether it will count against us if he plays out of position???

Answer 1

Surely Wales can manage at least one natural scrum half (eg Cooper) without pulling Shane from his best position. I hope these injuries don't spoil the series. Wales at their best would have given the Boks a run for their money.

Joshy, the problem is that Peel and Philips are out injured.

Answer 2

Gareth Cooper used to be a very fine scrum-half. At his best, he has even faster hands than Peel, and I've heard that he's up there with the best for foot speed too. His problem is with his motivation. When he lost the 9 shirt to Peel, he just allowed himself to go off the boil and his service detiorated. Maybe with Gatland's boot up his backside, he can get back to his best.

Ideally, I'd rather have Mike Phillips, who has finally had a chance to play and develop in the Wales 9 shirt, but I'd rather see what Cooper can offer these days in the new regime, rather than pull Shane off the wing.

Answer 3

There's been no talk of that anyway, they have two world class scrumhalves in Phillips and Peel.

Answer 4

yes he could play scrum half, but i believe that he is too much of a threat on the wing to play him at 9

Answer 5

Shane has offered to play in this position, pubically. He actually started his career at this position for Amman United when he was younger, and played very well there.

Also coupled with the fact that he played at scrum half for 10 minutes against Ireland in this years 6 nations whilst Mike Phillips was in the sin bin I see no reason why he should not be considered.

Answer 6

i am sure that williams is a great scrum half but you are losing some of his ability playing him there. he is a lot more dangerous on the wing coming inside playing throught the middle

Answer 7

He should be expected to do anything Warren Gatland asks him to within reason.

Bearing in mind he's a very capable scrum half and has put himself forward for the job then i think there's no problem in this.

Answer 8

I see no problem whatsoever with Shane wearing the number nine jersey, and it is purely due to the lads who will jockey for the hotley contested wing position he will not be in. Jamie Robinson and Tom James aren't half-bad, n it would also give us an oppertunity to get some shade of an idea what Welsh rugby will be like without sizzling Shane.