Hybrids

[Shugs]

One of the en vogue topics at the moment is hybrid players. Wonder if part of our resurgence is down to us having an abundance of these. Forwards wise we have Oghre and Barbeary who can hook and play back row. Our back rowers frequently chop and change during the game. We then have three distributors in the backs (four if you count Mills). Odogwu looked decent at 13 on Sunday. It gives us lots of options and allows clever bench options. I wonder if we'll become like the Dutch football team of the 70's and start a form of total rugby. Although I don't fancy Minozzi at TH.

[backdoc]

Vellacott on the wing etc.

The more skills on the pitch the better.

Provided the coaching allows them to use them, which seems to be the point at Wasps.

[Neils]

I seem to remember Vellacott being used by the Donkeys on the wing and being rather good.

[wasps]

While I agree, the counter argument is to play players in their best position even if they are versatile - that's what we hear every time we see an England team selection.

The players need to be able to perform their primary role first and foremost - I'm yet to see what Barbeary is like at hooker at senior level.
Odogwu always looks busy even when he's not going anywhere. Is he a quality option at wing?

Obviously Jimmy is Mr versatile, and Lima seems more assured at 15 than 10, so I don't know if that's versatility or a new position

Versatility is great, but do you primary job to a top standard first

[hookender]

Could be a natural progression as the game evolves. At present the goal is to make the sport more spectator friendly and commercial . Sevens has become established and now 10’s is on the radar. Law changes in 15’s means a faster game to satisfy this .A consequence of this will be (along with S&C and training) leaner forwards and probably bulkier backs as clubs look to the future for an edge.

This could be the beginning of the end of beer bellies in the front row ,flopping over the try line a la Jamie George and time off for oxygen.,

Who knows ,we might see a reduction in the number of replacements, so that substitutes will have to be ready to cover any position.

[wasps]

Could be a natural progression as the game evolves. At present the goal is to make the sport more spectator friendly and commercial . Sevens has become established and now 10’s is on the radar. Law changes in 15’s means a faster game to satisfy this .A consequence of this will be (along with S&C and training) leaner forwards and probably bulkier backs as clubs look to the future for an edge.

This could be the beginning of the end of beer bellies in the front row ,flopping over the try line a la Jamie George and time off for oxygen.,

Who knows ,we might see a reduction in the number of replacements, so that substitutes will have to be ready to cover any position.

That progression sounds like you then drop 2 players from the pitch to create some extra space and do away with the awful spectator viewing of scrummaging, rucking and mauling



Having players, in particular forward who are comfortable with ball in hand, faster and more athletic is obviously a good thing... Keep improving these basic skills in front row forwards and you end up with back row players.

We'll end up with a team of utility forwards and utility backs at this rate, and then one day, someone will move back to specialists and revolutionise the game again

[westwaleswasp]

I think there are three definitions or examples of  rugby hybrid. One is the 6.5 x 2 type, where you create new roles and strategy and abandon established 6/7 arrangements.

The second is the idea of backs who can play as forwards or vice versa. Eddie is actually a proponent of this and thinks we are heading that way. This I don't really want to see.

The third is simply players who can play in more than one position in the pack, like Ashley did for us. This is becoming more common but there have been examples of props taking either side or back row players in the second row for a while. We seem to have a fair bit of flexibility here.


I am not sure we can call tens playing 15 or 12 hybridization, because it has happened for ages. Ditto back 3s have been interchangable for decades. We do seem to have a lot of options in our back roster too.

[Mellie]

A hybrid player is someone who can read the game well, has a good skill set, is super fit with speed and strength.

Given the above, they should easily adapt to several positions. If they train in different positions there should be no reason why they can't play matches in those positions.

Better to have injury substitutes with ability in positions they have to cover than just a body on the pitch.