Don't do it Nigel! Save Ludo!

By MHIAS
August 27 2002

It seems as though Nigel Melville will favour Henry Paul at fly half more often this season, but can we afford to risk the premiership and a brilliant player in order to please the governing bodies? Is Henry Paul good enough yet?

Gloucester haven't really seen a proper kicker before. In the past the likes of Simon Mannix and Mark Mapletoft have been less then reliable with the boot, but have been good enough to play in the team because of their skills elsewhere on the pitch.

In the Summer of last season, Philippe Saint-Andre signed a so-called 'Prolific' fly half, by the name of Ludovic Mercier, from little known club Aurillic. Apparently Saint-Andre had been watching the Frenchman from a young age, and it was a signing he was desperate to get. Understandably the Kingsholm crowd were a little suspicious of the skills of 'Ludo', with news that Simon Mannix may be leaving.

Ludo's home debut for Gloucester was against Rotherham in Andy Deacon's testimonial. This was where his unique power to kick was realised, and he instantly became a fan favourite and the number one choice at fly half, despite the signing of the so called superstar Henry Paul from Super League side Bradford Bulls.

He continued his brilliant form with the boot, and soon became the leading scored in the Zurich premiership. However, people were a little worried about his exploits elsewhere on the pitch. He wasn’t, and never will be, the fastest player on the pitch, and his handling and passing skills left a lot to be desired. However, it is clear that Ludo has the ambition to sort this out.

As the season went on, his non-kicking play was improving match by match. he started scoring tries, one of which was a brilliant solo effort against Leicester away. During the Summer it seems as though he has put even more effort in, scoring two tries against a Durban invitational side., and one against the South African giants Natal Sharks

The problem is this, Henry Paul. No-one doubts that he is a talent. No-one doubts that he will one day be a Gloucester great. But the powerful officials from England Rugby want Henry Paul to be recognised as a union great. No-one understands the pressure that is put on Nigel Melville, but it seems that he is more than willing to play Henry Paul at fly half more this season. But can we afford to play him instead of Ludovic Mercier? Can we afford to slowly remove Ludo from the first team, as we did with the likes of Joe Ewens and Diego Albanese? I think not. Please, Nigel, play Ludo at fly-half this season. You'll reap the benefits in the long run.

Henry Paul is simply not good enough yet. He is a good tackler, and can give a good pass, and his diagonal runs are pretty good. But everywhere else Ludo is simply a better player.