Often seen as just the link men between the pivotal 9 and 10 positions and the 'flair' players out wide, centres are so much more and crucial to the success of any team.
Scotland's latest pairing of Sean Lamont and Nick de Luca has attracted a huge amount of criticism and in the case of de Luca particularly, that criticsim has been abusive and specifically targeted through social networking sites like Twitter. This completely unacceptable behaviour from a condemned minority towards the player has led him to leave the site. A sad reflection indeed on Scottish supporters as a whole, whether they like it or not, implicated by a cowardly few.
De Luca was singled out as one of those who contributed most to Scotland's self inflicted downfall at the beginning of the second half against Wales. Sure, he had a couple of shaky handling moments and a rush of blood to the head which saw him off for 10 minutes, but he can hardly be held singularly accountable for the team's performance in that period.
Perhaps what both his and Lamont's plight has shone some light on is the lack of specific skill sets required to play at centre. Perhaps the most underrated position on the field, centres are the linchpin around which everything good that happens to the back unit as a whole happens, both in attack and defence.
There are generally two schools of thought on what a centre, particularly at 12, should be: creative or a big crash ball runner. Both are successful in their own right provided the rest of the backline functions around the adopted centre role. Wales' current backline is as big and physical as you are likely to see, with Jamie Roberts providing much of that brawn without necessarily having the best technical skills. On the other hand, there is England who have historically employed a more lightweight figure, with the option to kick. Mike Catt was very good at that, and Owen Farrell is the latest player to be installed in the role.
The last few years has seen the bigger ball carrying type of player the preffered pick by Andy Robinson and his predecessors with the likes of Graeme Morrison and Sean Lamont particularly used for their bulk. Attempts have been made to mix Joe Ansbro, Nick de Luca and Max Evans to try and inject some pace and guile to create a balanced combination, but it can't be said that there has been a successful and consistent partnership there for Scotland for a very long time.
Morrison, Ansbro, De Luca, Evans and Lamont have all been tested
in different combinations for Scotland
If you look at recent history in the game, the greatest exponents of all at centre have had the full package; Tim Horan, Frank Bunce, Scott Hastings, Brian O'Driscoll, Ma'a Nonu, Tana Umaga - they can/could be relied upon to get their head down and run at their opposite man, have the pace to hit a gap and offload when the chance is there, kick it when it was on and they are all solid in defence.
Since Hastings, Scotland haven't really had someone who could tick all the boxes. Alan Tait was fantastic in defence and could run all day, Gregor Townsend was run at 13 for a time and provided that creativity in midfield with Duncan Hodge at 10 the better kicker. That isn't to forget Lineen, Jardine, Leslie and Henderson amongst many others over the last 2 decades.
With the team to play France this weekend due to be announced in the coming days, what should the starting centre pairing be? Is it an opprtunity to try some new options and combinations?
I don't believe Lamont at 12 is right, he is definitely more effective out wide. Graeme Morrison is more of an out-and-out centre having played there at all levels for Scotland and school prior to that. On the basis that both Ansbro and Evans will be available, would they be better suited, perhaps together? What about putting a 10 at 12? Ruaridh Jackson could be an option, albeit a risky one with little experience there. What about Matt Scott, performing well for Edinburgh? Too inexperienced?
As I mentioned before, the depth of options is better than ever, but if anything it gives Andy Robinson too many toys to play with, unable to make his mind up.
The last time France visited Murrayfield, they were blown apart by Mathieu Basteraud, the huge centre who barrelled his way to 2 tries that day. He is no longer in the French set up, but with the likely pairing of newcomer Wesley Fofana and old timer Aurelien Rougerie, Scotland will have their hands full.
Who would you pick? Leave your thoughts below.
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