Horan on the wing

komodosp

I see a lot of complaints about Marcus Horan often finding himself "out of position" on the wing (which lead to a try against Clermont, for example)...

But is it really such a bad tactic, if you are close the opponent's line? When you don't have far to run, then speed isn't such an important thing, and it might be better to have the difficult-to-stop bulk of a prop, a kind of poor-man's Johan Lomu?

High&Low

The odd time it leads to a try and that is fair enough, but a props job is to be in the middle of a ruck or maul doing the dirty work and using their strength/size to effect. In addition, most props (Horan included) do not have the hands/skills to be out on the wing and there have been a number of occassions for Ireland where Horan's handling when standing out on the wing have potentially cost Ireland a try.

Podge_irl

Horan has got in the way of wingers before, which is most definitely not what you want. You also don't want to be getting crappy slow ball because your props are faffing about on the wings. After a couple phases they are gonna end up there the odd time obviously, but some seem to do it a bit too often. I don't think Horan is as bad as he used to be in that regard anyway.

Crash

Also there have been a few times when Horan's scored by being on the wing, but it wouldnt have been necessary to bring it out to the wing if his added bulk had been at the breakdown.

Peter B

Really annoys me when Horan stands on the wing for Ireland and Munster. I far prefer when he is available for taking balls around the fringe at speed. He has on numberous occasions ruined potential try scoring opportunities for Munster (not 100% about Ireland). A 2 on 1 with Brian Carney springs to mind.

I never can understand why Kidney or his management have never sorted this. If a prop has to get to different locations around the field the best place for him to be, if he's not directly involved in a ruck or maul, is somewhere central to get to the next ruck or maul quicker. A prop standing on the wing is just a wasted forward and inferior back.

Eoin

komodosp wrote: »

I see a lot of complaints about Marcus Horan often finding himself "out of position" on the wing (which lead to a try against Clermont, for example)...

But is it really such a bad tactic, if you are close the opponent's line? When you don't have far to run, then speed isn't such an important thing, and it might be better to have the difficult-to-stop bulk of a prop, a kind of poor-man's Johan Lomu?

Horan has gotten some great tries, and some from a good bit out - but if you look at the replay, it is often at the expense of missing several breakdowns - this is just not acceptable for a tight five player. He has also fluffed a lot of attempted long loopy passes, tried little chips that just don't work etc. I am all in favour of seeing front-rowers being able to carry the ball well, but he needs to do the basics first.

On the difficult-to-stop part - look at Shane Horgan, he has the height advantage as well as being awkward to stop.

Stev_o

Problem with Horan on the wing is that there is times when we need a finishing wing out there not a glory hunting prop. Now im all up for the new age prop that does alot of work around the park sure i rate Matt Stevens to be one of the best props around mainly because he's a prop that plays like a backrow but the difference between him and Horan [beside the skill level] is that Stevens does the nitty gritty work and doesnt just sit on the wing for ages to get the ball. He is used at the fringes, up the middle and then on the wing while Horan just stands on the wing praying for the ball to come his way.