Your team's squad for next season

[TRF_Olyy]

Copying our celtic cousins: What's your teams 23 going to look like next season? How do you feel about it?
There's bound to be a few more signings over the summer, but what's it looking like now?


For Sale, I'd like to see (with what I think we'll see in brackets!):

1. Alasdair Dickinson (Eifion Lewis-Roberts)
2. Joe Ward
3. Eifion Lewis-Roberts (Tony Buckley)
4. Richie Gray
5. Andrei Ostrikov
6. Hendre Fourie
7. David Seymour
8. Andy Powell
9. Cillian Willis (Dwayne Peel)
10. Danny Cipriani
11. Charlie Amesbury (Mark Cueto)
12. Sam Tuitupou
13. Will Addison (Johnny Leota)
14. Tom Brady
15. Rob Miller

16. Marc Jones (Joe Ward)
17. Vadim Cobilas
18. Henry Thomas
19. Kearnan Myall/Fraser McKenzie
20. Mark Easter (Richie Vernon)
21. Dwayne Peel (Will Cliff)
22. Nick MacLeod/Johnny Leota
23. Mark Cueto (Charlie Amesbury/Will Addison)


James Gaskell will certainly be involved, but not sure where, and I wouldn't have him in to be honest.
Scrum won't be great. Dickinson has improved at Sale but still isn't a great scrummager. Fridge will improve the scrum a lot but he's only one man and whoever he's propping with will not be great, though Henry is quickly improving, so I wouldn't be adverse to him and Fridge pairing up. Cobilas is our 2nd best scrummager though I don't think he'll feature that much, as even when Buckley was getting ruined all season he was barely used. If he was EQP I think he'd be played more, but he's not...
Lots of depth at lock. Gray a nailed on starter, then any of Ostrikov/McKenzie/Myall would be class. Gaskell...not so much.
I think Fourie will be used at 6 as that's where he played (when Seymour was fit) when not injured, and he's a big/physical player so could go well there - and with him and Seymour on the pitch there'll be no shortage of scavengers.
Not sure about Cueto on the wing - he's on his way out and lots of mistakes were creeping in to his game last season, but there's not a lot of choice, to be honest. I like Amesbury, though, so wouldn't be adverse to seeing him start more.
Addison at 13, for me. Leota and Tuitupou are too similar to really work that well as a unit - I prefer Leota to Tuitupou though, so if Sam isn't captain next season (I think Powell will be) then 12. Addison/13. Leota would be my first choice. Though Sam at 12 would help Cipriani out with defence.

Not sure how we'll fair in the league or HEC. Top 6 finish is what I want, any wins in the HEC a bonus.

[psychic duck]

Willis ahead of Peel?

"The Fridge" hasn't played tighthead at all for two years now by the way.

McKenzie was pushing for international honours before injury I would expect he would start, and like it or not Gaskell will start probably at 6 too. Marc Jones is better than Ward from what I've seen of Sale too.

By the way, if Cobilas is the second best scrummager, who is the best? Surely not Dickinson.

I think this side looks better than last seasons side, and should at least match last season however I can see the depth tested especially in the backs if some injuries occur.

[Aedaphon]

Never followed any side exclusively but I have a soft spot for Wasps and, as far as I can tell, they've made some great signings.

If Billy Vunipola is included next year (which isn't too unlikely) there will be an absolutely enormous back row of:

6. James Haskell
7. Ashley Johnson
8. Billy Vunipola

[TRF_Olyy]

A) Willis ahead of Peel?
"The Fridge" hasn't played tighthead at all for two years now by the way.
C) McKenzie was pushing for international honours before injury I would expect he would start, and like it or not Gaskell will start probably at 6 too. Marc Jones is better than Ward from what I've seen of Sale too.
D) By the way, if Cobilas is the second best scrummager, who is the best? Surely not Dickinson.
E) I think this side looks better than last seasons side, and should at least match last season however I can see the depth tested especially in the backs if some injuries occur.

A) Yup. Peel is still quality, but only in bursts. He dawdles at the ruck a lot, and his distribution is haywire - either on the floor or over the head. Could've just been a crappy season for him, but Willis was consistently quality. Great distribution, better box kicks and faster. Peel is still the master of quick taps, though. I'm not sure if you saw the game vs Bath where Peel went off injured after about 20 - Willis played out of his skin, and the whole team looked better whenever he came on from the bench (though that could just be because of fresh legs - though he looked for more "go forward" orientated that Peel, though Peel may have been told to keep is slow and steady, who knows).
True, however he'd still be the best tighthead in the squad regardless (apart from maybe Cobilas, if he's a bit rusty from not playing there). I think he will be used solely at Loosehead though (unless there's injury), he'll just be a straight up replacement for Sheridan.
C) True. Like I said, I'd happily go with either of McKenzie or Ostrikov as the "enforcer" in the squad. Ostrikov slightly ahead solely because he currently has the shirt due to McKenzie's injury. You're right about Gaskell as well, unfortunately. Consistently the first name on the team sheet despite only having a handful of decent performances last season. He's got a lot more competition for his spot(s) now, though, so hopefully we'll get someone on merit rather than reputation. Jones and Ward are fairly equal, I'd say. Ward is better in the tight (scrum and breakdown) but Jones is better ball in hand, and also has a higher workrate/gets to more rucks. I'd rather the better scrummager, due to that being a weakspot. Neither is particularly better than the other at lineouts, so like Ostrikov vs McKenzie it's either/or for me.
D) I meant next season, with Fridge being better.
E) I'm not sure what will happen next season. If it wasn't for the RWC I don't think we'd have come 6th, so it's hard to compare.

[psychic duck]

A) Yup. Peel is still quality, but only in bursts. He dawdles at the ruck a lot, and his distribution is haywire - either on the floor or over the head. Could've just been a crappy season for him, but Willis was consistently quality. Great distribution, better box kicks and faster. Peel is still the master of quick taps, though. I'm not sure if you saw the game vs Bath where Peel went off injured after about 20 - Willis played out of his skin, and the whole team looked better whenever he came on from the bench (though that could just be because of fresh legs - though he looked for more "go forward" orientated that Peel, though Peel may have been told to keep is slow and steady, who knows).
True, however he'd still be the best tighthead in the squad regardless (apart from maybe Cobilas, if he's a bit rusty from not playing there). I think he will be used solely at Loosehead though (unless there's injury), he'll just be a straight up replacement for Sheridan.
C) True. Like I said, I'd happily go with either of McKenzie or Ostrikov as the "enforcer" in the squad. Ostrikov slightly ahead solely because he currently has the shirt due to McKenzie's injury. You're right about Gaskell as well, unfortunately. Consistently the first name on the team sheet despite only having a handful of decent performances last season. He's got a lot more competition for his spot(s) now, though, so hopefully we'll get someone on merit rather than reputation. Jones and Ward are fairly equal, I'd say. Ward is better in the tight (scrum and breakdown) but Jones is better ball in hand, and also has a higher workrate/gets to more rucks. I'd rather the better scrummager, due to that being a weakspot. Neither is particularly better than the other at lineouts, so like Ostrikov vs McKenzie it's either/or for me.
D) I meant next season, with Fridge being better.
E) I'm not sure what will happen next season. If it wasn't for the RWC I don't think we'd have come 6th, so it's hard to compare.

A) If Willis was so good, then why did Leinster and then ... Connacht pass him up? Perhaps he suits Sale better, or he had potential they both didn't see.

B/D) Shame the coaches feel compelled to pick Buckley, the Cardiff Blues have a crap scrum (when Andrews is playing) which any decent scrum should destroy, Toulon and Montpellier both have very good front rows and also depth as well, Sale could be taken out of the game if Buckley is persisted with.

C) Gaskell was selected to captain the England Saxons earlier this year, so some must think he is doing well, from what I've seen he's not been that impressive.

E) Sale had several players at the World Cup as well though (Cueto, Powelly, Leota, Vernon, Dickinson, Ostrikov, Buckley, Lewaravu, Lavea), albeit a couple of those weren't key players.

[04perryo]

As i previously posted before (Wrong thread)

1) Matt Mullan
2) Aleki Lutui (TANK!!) or Ed Shervington (underated beast)
3) John Andreas/ Taemopeau
4) Chris Jones
5) Percival (very underated)
6) Sweaty Betty/ Neil Best
7) Jake Abbott/ Kvesic
8) Semisa Taulava (might get a chance)/ Blair Cowan
9 Hodson/ Perry/ Arr none that good
10) Goode (who else)
11) David Lemi
12) Ravai Fatiaki/ Matavesi (Both could be decent)
13) Grove
14) Nikki Walker/ Andy Short
15) hopefully Errie Classens (hopefully not that pile of **** Pennell)

[TRF_Olyy]

A) If Willis was so good, then why did Leinster and then ... Connacht pass him up? Perhaps he suits Sale better, or he had potential they both didn't see.

B/D) Shame the coaches feel compelled to pick Buckley, the Cardiff Blues have a crap scrum (when Andrews is playing) which any decent scrum should destroy, Toulon and Montpellier both have very good front rows and also depth as well, Sale could be taken out of the game if Buckley is persisted with.

C) Gaskell was selected to captain the England Saxons earlier this year, so some must think he is doing well, from what I've seen he's not been that impressive.

E) Sale had several players at the World Cup as well though (Cueto, Powelly, Leota, Vernon, Dickinson, Ostrikov, Buckley, Lewaravu, Lavea), albeit a couple of those weren't key players.

I'm not sure with Willis. Feic said that he played well when there at the start of the season. He said he wasn't enjoying his rugby in Ireland and had fully intended on retiring before being offered a short term contract at Sale, and now he's enjoying playing again. Perhaps he was just down in the dumps about being passed pillar to post and never really getting much game time or something? Who knows, all I know is he's performing for us!
Annoying thing with Buckley is that, towards the end of the season, he was playing really really well in the loose - as good as I've ever seen him. Shame he simply can't scrummage - would make a cracking #8 though
Think we had the 2nd most number of players at the RWC, however as most of them were either new or not first choice it was minimum disruption to the side, compared to (say) Northampton who lost a fair chunk of their starting XV.

I think Gaskell gets by on reputation as he had a great breakthrough season and then (wrongly) was named Sale captain off of the back of that (which coincided with 2nd season loss of form). He's still a decent player when he wants to be, but very lightweight for lock (or a decent 6) - maybe not by literal weight (don't know what he weighs) but he doesn't hit hard or break the line or anything. In open space he's a great forward as he's fairly fast and hard to bring down when up to speed as he's all arms and legs, but considering we're normally on the backfoot we can't really afford to have a forward who isn't contributing a whole lot of grunt etc.
He's also pinged a lot at the breakdown and rushes out of the defensive line leaving massive gaps (which opposition have scored a few tries through).

[j'nuh]

1. Nick Wood
2. Darren Dawidiuk
3. Rupert Harden
4. Alex Brown
5. Jim Hamilton
6. Peter Buxton(?)
7. Akapusi Qera
8. Ben Morgan
9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Freddie Burns
11. James Simpson-Daniel
12. Billy Twelvetrees
13. Henry Trinder
14. Charlie Sharples
15. Olly Morgan

16. Huia Edmonds
17. Dan Murphy/Yann Thomas
18. Shaun Knight
19. Tom Savage
20. Sione Kalamafoni
21. Dave Lewis/Dan Robson
22. Ryan Mills
23. Jonny May

Starting props are quality. Clear gulf in quality when it gets down to the bench, unfortunately. Shaun Knight and Yann Thomas are both around 20, so hopefully they will get better and hit some form. Dawidiuk seems to be getting better all the time. Huia Edmonds is an unknown quantity. Koree Britton might get a bit of time this year too.

Second row is the main worry. Hamilton needs to sort out his discipline but is pretty certain to start. Brown is decent but not exceptional and Will James is really getting on (could be his last season). Relying a lot on Tom Savage to step up a gear, but he's still very young. Hope that a decent signing is on the way.

Not sure what to make of the backrow. Morgan and Qera should nail 7/8, but don't think Buxton has a whole season in him at 6, and not sure whether Kalamafoni will make the step up yet. Hazell and Cox provide decent backup. Would like someone who can make a few turnovers...

10-15 I'm incredibly happy with the talent and depth Gloucester have. Solved the depth at 10 issue by having Mills and 12T who can play there and the depth at 15 issue by signing Martyn Thomas. Offloaded some players taking the salary cap up on the wing and can shift Trinder out there if two of Sharples/May/JSD get injured. Only worry in the backs is at scrum-half. Lewis was poor at the end of the season and we don't have Cowan until December. Robson might be the solution, but not sure if he's ready for the step-up.

Improvement on last season, probably, but still issues in the forwards to sort out.

[TRF_Olyy]

Insane that Glaws have so much going on in the backs that there's no place for a player like May!

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

A) If Willis was so good, then why did Leinster and then ... Connacht pass him up? Perhaps he suits Sale better, or he had potential they both didn't see.

When he first came on the scene with Leinster, Willis looked quality. A shoulder injury (break?) set him back and saw his pass desert him. At Ulster and Connacht he looked good in bursts but didn't see consistent game time. Connacht in particular misused him- he should have been first choice there. In fact he retired after his spell with Connacht before answering an emergency call from Joe Schmidt to cover for the World Cup on a short term deal. He was probably Leinster's best player in Sept and Oct but was always going to be relegated to third choice once Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss returned from New Zealand. It wasn't so much that Leinster released him, more that Sale offered him a better deal at the end of him contract.

[04perryo]

Never followed any side exclusively but I have a soft spot for Wasps and, as far as I can tell, they've made some great signings.

If Billy Vunipola is included next year (which isn't too unlikely) there will be an absolutely enormous back row of:

6. James Haskell
7. Ashley Johnson
8. Billy Vunipola

Thats a very big backrow but I wouldn't have ashley johnson at 7 isn't there that young 7 called Poff who is meant to be quite good

[Aedaphon]

Thats a very big backrow but I wouldn't have ashley johnson at 7 isn't there that young 7 called Poff who is meant to be quite good

Yes, yes there is... That would make significantly more sense
Either way, it's gonna be a great club back row- absolute shame about Rees though

6. Haskell
7. Poff
8. Johnson

[04perryo]

I have yo say that is a mighty fine looking backrow, Real shame about Rees but i dont think wasps need to worry to much about him with the look of that backrow

[psychic duck]

London Welsh

15. Alex Davies
14. Joe Ajuwa
13. James Lewis
12. Hudson Tonga'uiha
11. Phil Mackenzie
10. Gordon Ross
9. Matt Keyte
1. Billy Moss
2. Dan George
3. James Tideswell
4. Adam Brown
5. Matt Corker
6. Jonathan Mills
7. Mike Denbee
8. Daniel Browne

This needs to be seriously strengthened.

[TRF_Cymro]

London Welsh

15. Alex Davies
14. Joe Ajuwa
13. James Lewis
12. Hudson Tonga'uiha
11. Phil Mackenzie
10. Gordon Ross
9. Matt Keyte
1. Billy Moss
2. Dan George
3. James Tideswell
4. Adam Brown
5. Matt Corker
6. Jonathan Mills
7. Mike Denbee
8. Daniel Browne

This needs to be seriously strengthened.

Beach will likely fill in at Second Row. Rob Lewis will start at 9 (With the promotion I would be amazed if he switched to the Blues). Sonny Parker probably at 13 with Hudson. I would also suspect that when Henson signs he will play at 10.

[Little Guy]

I'm looking forward to seeing what Phil Mackenzie can do for Welsh, he was amongst try leaders in the RFU championship last year while playing for a very poor side in Esher. I notice that London Welsh don't have many players that go against the overseas player quota, perhaps a couple of stronger players can be brought in before the season gets started.

[psychic duck]

Beach will likely fill in at Second Row. Rob Lewis will start at 9 (With the promotion I would be amazed if he switched to the Blues). Sonny Parker probably at 13 with Hudson. I would also suspect that when Henson signs he will play at 10.

There are a couple of articles saying Lewis has definitely left London Welsh for the Cardiff Blues, neither are the best sources though.

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s170/st178163.htm
http://www.i4u.com/2012/06/john-yapp...ff-lewis-blues

I wonder who they can pick up on some late bargain deals for next season with lots of players already signed.

Here are a few free agents who might be useful for them.

Alan MacDonald - Scottish international flanker, released by Edinburgh.
Fergus Thomson - Scottish international hooker, released by Glasgow.
Gareth Owen - Highly thought of prospect who for various reasons never fulfilled his potential at the Ospreys.
Victor Gresev - Russian star back rower, Parisse called him one of the most talented back rowers he had ever faced.
Wame Lewaravu - Experienced Fijian lock, released by Sale.
Onosai Tololima-Auva'a - Well thought of by Olyy, released by Sale.

.... or if they want to be really original

Kazakhstan back rower Anton Rudoy, a player who is a beast in the Gorgodze sense who plays for the Russian champions, has a mad scoring ratio for a forward of like 24 tries in 27 matches and scores a hat trick nearly every time he plays for Kazakhstan against Hong Kong or something, although he's stopped playing for the national team now. Rudoy would undoubtebly be one of the most physical brutes about if any team had the inventiveness to sign him.

[bushytop]

I would also suspect that when Henson signs he will play at 10.

Is that really happening?

[Tony Manx]

There are a couple of articles saying Lewis has definitely left London Welsh for the Cardiff Blues, neither are the best sources though.

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s170/st178163.htm
http://www.i4u.com/2012/06/john-yapp...ff-lewis-blues

I wonder who they can pick up on some late bargain deals for next season with lots of players already signed.

Here are a few free agents who might be useful for them.

Alan MacDonald - Scottish international flanker, released by Edinburgh.
Fergus Thomson - Scottish international hooker, released by Glasgow.
Gareth Owen - Highly thought of prospect who for various reasons never fulfilled his potential at the Ospreys.
Victor Gresev - Russian star back rower, Parisse called him one of the most talented back rowers he had ever faced.
Wame Lewaravu - Experienced Fijian lock, released by Sale.
Onosai Tololima-Auva'a - Well thought of by Olyy, released by Sale.

.... or if they want to be really original

Kazakhstan back rower Anton Rudoy, a player who is a beast in the Gorgodze sense who plays for the Russian champions, has a mad scoring ratio for a forward of like 24 tries in 27 matches and scores a hat trick nearly every time he plays for Kazakhstan against Hong Kong or something, although he's stopped playing for the national team now. Rudoy would undoubtebly be one of the most physical brutes about if any team had the inventiveness to sign him.

Olly Phillips is still looking also.................Zara would like her house back!!

[TRF_Cymro]

There are a couple of articles saying Lewis has definitely left London Welsh for the Cardiff Blues, neither are the best sources though.

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s170/st178163.htm
http://www.i4u.com/2012/06/john-yapp...ff-lewis-blues

I wonder who they can pick up on some late bargain deals for next season with lots of players already signed.

Here are a few free agents who might be useful for them.

Alan MacDonald - Scottish international flanker, released by Edinburgh.
Fergus Thomson - Scottish international hooker, released by Glasgow.
Gareth Owen - Highly thought of prospect who for various reasons never fulfilled his potential at the Ospreys.
Victor Gresev - Russian star back rower, Parisse called him one of the most talented back rowers he had ever faced.
Wame Lewaravu - Experienced Fijian lock, released by Sale.
Onosai Tololima-Auva'a - Well thought of by Olyy, released by Sale.

.... or if they want to be really original

Kazakhstan back rower Anton Rudoy, a player who is a beast in the Gorgodze sense who plays for the Russian champions, has a mad scoring ratio for a forward of like 24 tries in 27 matches and scores a hat trick nearly every time he plays for Kazakhstan against Hong Kong or something, although he's stopped playing for the national team now. Rudoy would undoubtebly be one of the most physical brutes about if any team had the inventiveness to sign him.

I'll stand corrected just had a look at Rob Lewis twitter account.

@CardiffBluesSC thanks for the welcome! Can't wait, really looking forward to it!

— Robert Lewis (@Bobbylew9) June 26, 2012

Victor Gresev and has signed for Krasny Yar according to white bear : http://www.therugbyforum.com/forum/s...l=1#post514788

[TRF_Draggs]

As i previously posted before (Wrong thread)

1) Matt Mullan
2) Aleki Lutui (TANK!!) or Ed Shervington (underated beast)
3) John Andreas/ Taemopeau
4) Chris Jones
5) Percival (very underated)
6) Sweaty Betty/ Neil Best
7) Jake Abbott/ Kvesic
8) Semisa Taulava (might get a chance)/ Blair Cowan
9 Hodson/ Perry/ Arr none that good
10) Goode (who else)
11) David Lemi
12) Ravai Fatiaki/ Matavesi (Both could be decent)
13) Grove
14) Nikki Walker/ Andy Short
15) hopefully Errie Classens (hopefully not that pile of **** Pennell)

Shervington! Haven't heard of him for a while. Getting on well for the Warriors?

[HenryChinaski]

Wasps look to be building well for the new season, I think we're likely to see the following:

1. Payne
2. (Rhys) thomas
3. Staibano
4. Palmer
5. Wentzel
6. Launchbury
7. Haskell
8. Johnson

9. Berry
10. Robinson
11. Wade
12. Waldouck
13. Daly
14. Varndell
15. Southwell

16. Taulafo
17. Lindsay
18. Filipo
19. Poff
20. (Charlie) Davies
21. (Stephen) Jones
22. (Chris) Bell

Back-row and second row are now great strengths for us. Instead of the above we might equally see:

4. Launchbury
5. Wentzel
6. Haskell
7. Poff
8. Johnson

18. Palmer
19. (Sam) Jones

OR

4. Palmer
5. wentzel
6. Launchbury
7. Poff
8. Haskell

19. Johnson

I'm very excited by these areas of possibility, but still worried about the front-row. We have lost two top quality hookers (Thompson and Webber) and so far only brought in Rhys Thomas. This leaves us with Thomas, Lindsay, Korshunov, who may even be leaving. I'm interested to see Staibano, all wasps fans have felt the need for a top quality tighthead for some time. jury's out on whether Staibano will be that player, but I'm hopeful.

We still badly need another back to cover both wing and full-back. So far we have lost Tom Prydie and Richard haughton, both great club players, Prydie potentially much more than that. Southwell at the back only now has proper cover in Jack Wallace, who's still pretty raw.

My real hope for the season is managing to balance between playing an experienced team which knows how to win games, and also keeping up with the youngsters. I'm worried that with the new squad, guys like Sam Jones, Billy Vunipola, Simon Mcintyre and Will Taylor won't have enough chance. Hopefully a rotation policy won't undersell us.

[TRF_Olyy]

We still badly need another back to cover both wing and full-back. So far we have lost Tom Prydie and Richard haughton, both great club players, Prydie potentially much more than that. Southwell at the back only now has proper cover in Jack Wallace, who's still pretty raw.

Tommy Bell played 15 all last season for Leeds and was very well thought of there, so would be an option. Potentially 22. T.Bell, 23.C.Bell as they'd cover 10-15 between them (Tommy 10, 12, 15, Chris 13,11/14 - he's played wing a decent amount for Sale, though centre is definitely his best position)

[psychic duck]

I'm very excited by these areas of possibility, but still worried about the front-row. We have lost two top quality hookers (Thompson and Webber) and so far only brought in Rhys Thomas. This leaves us with Thomas, Lindsay, Korshunov, who may even be leaving. I'm interested to see Staibano, all wasps fans have felt the need for a top quality tighthead for some time. jury's out on whether Staibano will be that player, but I'm hopeful.

Staibano is a fat, unfit blob of a prop. He may be able to do okay for a period, but tires quickly as the match goes on he becomes less effective and can be prone to miss tackles as he tires.

The Wasps fitness & conditioning coach will have to have some big workouts with him to get him in shape, otherwise you will have a 40-50 minute player.

I've heard that Korshunov has left by the way.

[HenryChinaski]

Tommy Bell played 15 all last season for Leeds and was very well thought of there, so would be an option. Potentially 22. T.Bell, 23.C.Bell as they'd cover 10-15 between them (Tommy 10, 12, 15, Chris 13,11/14 - he's played wing a decent amount for Sale, though centre is definitely his best position)

Good to know, I think playing at 15 is his bet opportunity for game-time given our current squad - I don't think he'd be given a starting spot in the centres unless it was the LV or Amlin, but as you say a versatile sub-spot could be his, especially as we have no full-back cover besides Jack Wallace. Just hope he does get gametime, I know even for the U20's he was behind Ben Ransom and didn't play as much as he would have wanted.

Staibano is a fat, unfit blob of a prop. He may be able to do okay for a period, but tires quickly as the match goes on he becomes less effective and can be prone to miss tackles as he tires.

The Wasps fitness & conditioning coach will have to have some big workouts with him to get him in shape, otherwise you will have a 40-50 minute player.

I've heard that Korshunov has left by the way.

Haha that's prettyy clear then. Especially if thats the case it leaves me confused as to what Dai(who I think is great) is doing with the front-row. Our new signings have been Staibano, plus Phil Swainston and Phil Taylor who are prospect signings. That leaves us with...

LH: Payne, Taulafo,
TH: Mcintyre, Staibano, Taylor, Swainston

with Lewis Thiede in the academy/on loan, and Alex Hepburn also in the academy.

Now you tell me if that's a propping team who can compete in the aviva, I know what I think: we need at least one extra signing who can play both positions equally well.

Oh, I ommitted Joe Simpson from my match 22. That would be 9. Simpson, 20. Berry/Davies then.

[TRF_Olyy]

Good to know, I think playing at 15 is his bet opportunity for game-time given our current squad - I don't think he'd be given a starting spot in the centres unless it was the LV or Amlin, but as you say a versatile sub-spot could be his, especially as we have no full-back cover besides Jack Wallace. Just hope he does get gametime, I know even for the U20's he was behind Ben Ransom and didn't play as much as he would have wanted.

I think his versatility cost him for the U20s - he wants to play 10, but has more experience at 15.
To be honest I don't think he'll ever play centre unless there's injuries etc. as I can't ever recall him playing there for Sale or Leeds, I just know that it's one of his listed positions on his profile (or was, anyway).

I think Wasps will go well next season. I said at the start of last season that I expected them to be up near the top, and they started strongly.....then injuries.
They've strengthed the squad (bar the front row) so will be more competitive - if they can keep everyone fit!

[HenryChinaski]

I think his versatility cost him for the U20s - he wants to play 10, but has more experience at 15.
To be honest I don't think he'll ever play centre unless there's injuries etc. as I can't ever recall him playing there for Sale or Leeds, I just know that it's one of his listed positions on his profile (or was, anyway).

I think Wasps will go well next season. I said at the start of last season that I expected them to be up near the top, and they started strongly.....then injuries.
They've strengthed the squad (bar the front row) so will be more competitive - if they can keep everyone fit!

Definitely agree there, if he really wants to play 10 he'd have to learn that trade at a championship side willing to give him that chance. For the U20's he was never going to have much chance when the likes of Tom Heathcote has regular experience playing premiership rugby for Bath. Wasps won't be playing him there at all with the likes of Stephen Jones and Nicky Robinson ahead of him. I hear rumours that James Bailey(Lyon and ex Gloucester) is on the way over, and he would be an impediment to Tommy getting gametime at 15.

In fact most players who try to be a versatile 'maintenance' sub struggle to be good enough in any one position to be considered first choice(unless your name is Josh Lewsey)

Overall I think we should do a whole lot better than last season. We now actually have some carriers in the back-row and some extra grunt in the second-row.

[Peat]

I think Bell did play more than Ransom (in general) come the JWC; league duties kept him out of the 6N. I wouldn't be surprised if he's first choice 10 at Wasps in 2 or 3 years time, he's learning from some classy operators who don't have time on their side.

If Wasps come out flying and can avoid the injury curse, I think they could really rocket up the league this season. There's a shitload of talent there. Only issue really is front-row, although that back-line isn't exactly super convincing defensive wise either.

[Gaunt15]

I imagine Saints could possibly be:

1. Tonga'uiha
2. Hartley
3. Mujati(imagine PDJ will feature regularly also)
4. Lawes
5. Manoa/ Sorenson
6. Craig (until 1 Novemeber(ish) when Clark returns)
7. Wood
8. Dowson
9. Dickson
10. Lamb
11.Shepard
12. Burrell (possibly not overly sure)
13. Pisi
14. Artemyev/ Elliot
15. Foden

subs:

16. PDJ
17. Day
18. Van Velze
19. Nutley
20. May
21. Myler
22. Armstrong/ Cato

[Gaunt15]

I imagine Saints could possibly be:

1. Tonga'uiha
2. Hartley
3. Mujati(imagine PDJ will feature regularly also)
4. Lawes
5. Manoa/ Sorenson
6. Craig (until 1 Novemeber(ish) when Clark returns)
7. Wood
8. Dowson
9. Dickson
10. Lamb
11.Shepard
12. Burrell (possibly not overly sure)
13. Pisi
14. Artemyev/ Elliot
15. Foden

subs:

16. PDJ
17. Day
18. Van Velze
19. Nutley
20. May
21. Myler
22. Armstrong/ Cato

Waldouck in at 12 if he stays fit