BACKS ARE PROBLEM IN TOWN SQUAD

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30763, 29 May 1965, Page 11

BACKS ARE PROBLEM IN TOWN SQUAD

TF the Canterbury Rugby trial on Wednesday can be regarded as an accurate indication of current form, the Town back selector (Mr M. J. Dixon) will have some problems in deciding on the backs to form part of the training squad for the Town-Country match on June 7.

W. F. McCormick is secure in the full-back position but on the wings there are claimants aplenty. W. M. Birtwistle, no doubt, will take the right wing position but for the left wing four players, R. Morris, W. J. Thompson. R. J. Vivian and A. G. Steel all have good claims. Steel’s great pace is his main virtue at present but

he is by no means lacking in Rugby skills. Vivian, however, is perhaps the favourite now. He too has speed; is a determined runner, a good tackler and his experience at centre makes him a heady player when he comes into the back-line from the blind-side wing. Vivian’s qualifications are copied by Thompson, who also has performed well as a mid-field back in club Rugby. Assuming that Vivian and Thompson are not used as centres—both do not quite show the true appreciation of the position—then D. A. Arnold should be at centre. Arnold has his critics — in plenty, and very vociferous ones—but he is too good a player to be discarded because of an occasional mistake.

R. C. Moreton, if fit, is the logical second five-eighths, but if his leg injury has not mended then Arnold could move back to second fiveeighths with Vivian taking the centre position. At first five-eighths, B. A. Watt must take his usual place but as understudy the Old Boys’ player, T. Mehr-

tens has the best qualifications rather than W. D. Cottrell.

The forward selector (Mr R. H. Duff) does not have quite the same problem. If he decides that there will be 11 forwards in the training squad then the evenness in the loose forwards and props should be catered for.

The squad comprising 10 backs and 11 forwards could be: Backs: McCormick, Vivian, Steel. Birtwistle. Thompson. Arnold, Moreton, Watt, Mehrtens, Davis. Forwards: D. J. Graham, D. E. Snow, R. M. Wainohu, I. H. Penrose, M. J. Millar, J. F. Burns, M. R. Dunne, G. C. Loveridge, C. R. Hockley, E. Veal and J. N. Creighton.