Andrew Bishop – is he really an international center?

Not in my opinion.  Now this is going to sound like a harsh criticism, so it should be noted I think he is a perfectly good regional option for the Ospreys.  With Gavin Henson regularly missing I have no problems with Bishop stepping in and doing a job for us there… but I don’t think he is good enough for Wales rugby.

Having watched the appalling game vs Canada (it did have some plus points, but all in all a pathetic game) I have to say that Andrew Bishop is not international class.  Time and again in that game, and for most of the season with the Ospreys, he failed to give the pass when it was calling out for it, instead choosing to take contact.

People say he is a good contact player, but I disagree.  Yes when he takes it in we usually come back with it, but he doesn’t make the yards a hard hitting 12 needs to make to be considered a top class contact 12.  Nor does he have a kicking game or passing game of any note (or at all as far as I can see).

He is also considered a great tackler.  OK he rarely misses one, but again the thunderous smashes don’t seem to be part of his game – and his positioning has been called into question a few times – especially when blitzing.

He has had his moments.  Vs Australia when he came on early for Jamie Roberts (who had cracked his skull and set up a try) he actually showed some deft skills – so it could be that they are there and someone like Scott Johnson, the incoming Ospreys coach, will be able to make the most of it.

But for now I am far from impressed by Andrew Bishop and feel he is not good enough to be part of any senior Welsh set up (when the British Lions are back anyway).  there are better youngster options, whilst already established players such as Gavin Henson, Jamie Roberts and arguably James Hook should be ahead of him in the pecking order.

That he has been involved in so many Welsh squads shows again the lack of real talent we have below the top tier of players in certain positions.