I've got a big one.

My Loosehead is 193cm, 128Kg (see what I did there), my No.8 is 190, 123.
Loosie has far superior strength, tech, handling, defence, speed and attack, he's scored a few tries, my No.8 does very little in a game, so I thought I'd switch them around.
Massive mistake, loosie is reckless and has given away eight pens in two games!!!
What I found interesting was that he only gives away one pen per game when at 1.

So I guess the question is (and yes I know we've been here before). How do you get the best out of a No.8, and makes a good 8 if you're playing driving and PnG?

To get the best out of him you need to play to his strengths I suppose

8s like to get involved in open play , if you get one with good handling and attack you see him involved in allot of plays from scrums and if the number 9 gets tied into a ruck

Otherwise just up the pick and go moves and get him strong and technical with good agility

I didn't know it was a big deal until yesterday, but my 8 is timid reckless, and he cost me the game almost singlehandedly. So I'd say he needs to have good mentals.

Well aye mentals are key

Timid reckless is née use

Ah, that's where I think he may be falling down. He's a converted prop, so his tech and strength are pretty good, along with his handling and speed (since I moved him into the back row), attack is fair, but his agility is 5!!!
With lvl4 coach how many weeks is that going to take me to get him up to something basic like 10?!!!

About 42-50 weeks

Lovely thanks, he'll be 28 at that point. Time for plan B I think. Shame, he's on of my first ever youth promotions.

My #8 is a bit penalty happy, but with another couple of pops in exp (he should pop in exp this season) he'll start to settle down a bit;

Gorden Burd
24 years old | 229,553 CSR

Salary £354,360 (£22,148 per week)
Weight 125kg
Height 201cm

Right handed, right footed, in satisfactory form Stable.
A collected player with reckless discipline, satisfactory leadership, and average experience.

Stamina: Marvelous 17 Handling: Superior 16
Attack: Amazing 14 Defense: Marvelous 17
Technique: Marvelous 17 Strength: Marvelous 17
Jumping: Princely 12 Speed: Amazing 14
Agility: Impressive 11 Kicking: Limited 4

Ah ok, this is who've I've tried at 8.
23 y/o    |   179,730 CSR   |  
Height   193cm  
Weight 128kg  

Right handed, right footed, in reputable form Decreasing.
A collected player with reckless discipline, moderate leadership, and moderate experience.

Stamina: Grand 15 Handling: Superior 16
Attack: Grand 15 Defense: Superior 16
Technique: Grand 15 Strength: Superior 16
Jumping: Decent 8 Speed: Admirable 10
Agility: Average 6 Kicking: Despicable 2

I know his speed and agility need a lot of work, but I was prepared for that with him being only 23.

This is who is my usual 8.
25 y/o   |   129,170 CSR   |  
Height 190cm  
Weight   123kg  
Right handed, right footed, in reputable form Stable.
A conservative player with controlled discipline, admirable leadership, and moderate experience.

Stamina: Impressive 11 Handling: Amazing 14
Attack: Sumptuous 13 Defense: Grand 15
Technique: Amazing 14 Strength: Grand 15
Jumping: Moderate 5 Speed: Grand 15
Agility: Moderate 5 Kicking: Horrible 3

He doesn't do anything wrong, but doesn't set the world alight, and with his poor stamina I tend to swap him the lad below who I'm aggressively training up to replace him.

21 y/o  |   130,350 CSR  
Height 195cm  
Weight   121kg  
Right handed, right footed, in reputable form Stable.
A timid player with collected discipline, decent leadership, and limited experience.

Stamina: Sumptuous 13 Handling: Sumptuous 13
Attack: Amazing 14 Defense: Amazing 14
Technique: Sumptuous 13 Strength: Amazing 14
Jumping: Princely 12 Speed: Sumptuous 13
Agility: Impressive 11 Kicking: Moderate 5

I would start your younger 8 looks a much better option

Use older 8 as an impact sub mate

Will get your young lad more experience quicker and he actually looks more useful overall

Sub him off at 50 mind each time

Also try not to play aggressive if you have been

Beautiful, cheers.

Either that or try your current 8 at 12 with plenty of driving

Interesting thread about 8's. Mine is this guy:

Zacharie Decarrière, 23 years old | 201,665 CSR
Weight 126kg, Height 190cm

An aggressive player with collected discipline, limited leadership, and moderate experience.

Stamina: Superior 16 Handling: Grand 15
Attack: Impressive 11 Defense: Monumental 18
Technique: Superior 16 Strength: Superior 16
Jumping: Amazing 14 Speed: Admirable 10
Agility: Decent 8 Kicking: Non-Existent 1

At a decision point soon - stop training and bring on the next prospect to ~200k or keep training up to the 300k mark.

Interested in opinions on the relevance of agility for an 8 with a pick and go tactic too & wether to keep training or stop.

Agility is well worth while

I've heard agility is a secret weapon for 8s.
He needs speed and attack too, and possibly more stamina given his weight and how much he'll be used?
Nice player though.

Agility well worth it on a good #8 in a good pack. I think with a 200k CSR 23 year old though I'd be training another player to boost the unit rather than the player

Is there a position that agility isn't useful in? Looking at the transfer market it's one of the least trained skills in the game...