I suspect there may be small improvements in his mobility but doubt he'll ever be the same dynamic player. Perhaps he's already been advised of this and has already physically adapted for a new role, hence extra bulk. If MC can be the inside hard carrying forward we missed all last season I'd take it (especially as we still haven't really recruited anyone who can effectively carry this role out yet), and I suspect Stu McCloskey (who had to do the bloody hard work last yr) would too. The guy is still a total pain at the breakdown which we need, and wins turnovers.
No doubt he's been caught on the inside multiple times, which every attack coach in the Pro 14 will know by now. I think there's a weakness there, not just a lack of gametime or carrying a bit of extra weight. That said Id rather focus on what he can/not what he can't do - what he can offer us, is what we are missing at the mo, - turnovers/hard carrying/physicality.
My instinct "currently" would be not to re sign him at the end of the season, invest the £££ in a LH & SR, and hope there'll be more exposure for a pup.
I've not watched the game but if the malfunctioning LO got more attention then the scrum - then it must have been tom kite. Shoring up a set piece is normally one of the 1st things that occur with a new coaching group, which is worrying. Wonder what wriggle room DMcF will have re recruitment come end of season both NIQ and domestically, as there just isn't really the options for him personnel wise. ZERO chance of success with no set piece.
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Fair play to JP - if its brad pitt, say its brad pitt......the days of feeding fans & players bullshit should be over. Yes he may only be a very young coach, but he was a classy intelligent player/defender, and if players can't learn off him - there is a serious issue. Very early days, but lets not gloss over a bad day, honesty is a key ingredient to chasing excellence.
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