The Ospreys have confessed to struggling at 10 this season.
They have tried Jones (not quite good enough at everything for this level), Connor (oh so, so, so conservative and not quite good enough at this level) and Henson (something is not quite right there, but more on that later). None of them have done the job satisfactorily.
But all their problems will be solved, all their worries allayed with the arrival of Justin Marshall at 9.
The reason? Marshall can't pass, won't pass. Actually, he will pass. He will pass but only after having had a good long look to see what's on for 'me, me. me', a sideways stroll of four paces (thus squeezing the 10's space and time) and then shovel a dodgy pass to some poor sod who has been shaking hands with the oppo openside and discussing with him the merits of Søren Kierkegaard and his criticism of Hegelian assumptions in AFSLUTTENDE UVIDENSKABELIG EFTERSKRIFT for the last minute.
'OOOOHHHHHHH!' I hear you cry, 'but he's an All Black*!' Well, Kiwi or not he will, at best, take some getting used to in the NSO backline. They used to complain (jokingly) that G.O. Edwards' pass was so long, the wingers were having to stand in touch; they used to say (sarcastically) that Iestyn Harris's backs had to learn to read his lateral-but-teasing runs; they use to say (very loudly) 'for Gawd's sake, Wilbach, bloody well run straight, you pratt!' They know what they are talking about, they do.
And I am saying that Marshal has got to re-learn the importance of passing the ball from the base. Quickly. He buggered up Leeds' rhythm all season and on Sunday in Twikkers he buggered up the BaaBaas. Robinson, the scrummy, was having a fine game, giving Spencer all the room he needs and demands. Then Juju 'Two-step' Marshall came on and all shape, pattern and momentum went west.
So, the Osprey's problems at outside hal... sorry, first five eighth can be solved by recalling Paul Kowulok from his Craft Stall in the Hayes, Cardiff and putting him in the grey-and-black-and-red-asda 10 shirt - they will need a substantial unit there to take the hits that Look-at-Me Marshall will have dragged onto his 10. Oh, aye - trust me. BIG hits.
Then we come to Henson... something, my dear little albatrosses, is amiss there. He needs to do something...
...I think back to Tony Clement.
Tony, for those of you too young to remember, was a precocious player with a cracking physique, a great skills set (or 'a tidy player, like' as we used to say in those days), outrageous endeavour and a massive boot on him. Good looking, too, so my Mum said. He could play at 10, 12/13 and 15. He even played on the wing a few times for Wales. Now then, put all that together and who does he remind you of? No, other than me, come on, think... Yes - Henson. Trouble was, y'see, they moved poor old Tony all over the shop and he settled no-where and didn't nearly realise his potential. Then Gareth Rees fell on him and that, as they say in Ontario and Risca, was that.
Gav now needs to say 'I am an out-half - I don't wish to be considered anywhere else.' Or 12. Or 15, but just one position. Yes, of course if he is desperately needed elsewhere, play him wherever, but let him settle. Jinks was pushed around and only became world class (and oh yes, he was) when left alone at fly-half.
Let Henson play in one shirt. It may get smelly after a while and have that odd, orange staining at collar and cuffs, but it will start to fit. Then, and only then I fear, will we see him at his potential best. And he needs to be told not to drift sideways, too.
And hands up all those who, like me, absolutely LOVE seeing Leicester taking a caning. If only Neil Back had been alive to see it. Cheat.
*Marshall not Søren, that is.