Players to watch out for

[j'nuh]

Which players at your club, or other clubs, do you have high expectations on them breaking into the first team this season? Who should we have an eager eye on? Who might get a lot more time than they did last year, even if they don't break into the first squad?

For Gloucester, keep an eye on Dan Robson, who will probably be first-choice until Cowan arrives. He's apparently got a crisp pass but needs to work on the box kicks. Huia Edmonds will probably be first-choice hooker if he can handle the set piece. Further into the season, Kalamafoni will play a lot, especially if Ben Morgan gets England call-ups. He looks like he could be an impressive 6/8, and very physical, but needs to work on fitness (so look out for him in the second half of the season). Shaun Knight, a young tighthead, is being raved about. Some saying he might go past Harden this season, but I doubt it. Tom Savage and Matt Cox, who both played a lot last year, will probably be first-teamers this time round.

How about your teams?

 

[big ginger 8]

Think Andrew Conway could make a breakthrough this year with Fitzgeralds injury. I rate him higher than D. Kearney. He's got pace to burn and one of the best side steps I've seen also a good fielder as he's played a lot at 15.

Another possibility is Dominic Ryan he's been around a few years and he's even started a H Cup game but with the rich of backrow options available and some injury problems hasn't I feel fully broken through. He's got a good link game and is a devastating tackler.

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[welshglory]

At the Ospreys i'd look out for Matthew Morgan. Great runner of the ball and good overall game. He needs to learn how to run the back line and organise the team better. He played in quite a few matches last year and had a mixed bag imo, some good games and some very average ones. With that experience i think he will have improved a lot.

Blindside/second row (more of a 6) James King has been in the Ospreys squad for a few years now and hasn't really established himself. He's a solid player, nothing special just makes his tackles and does the grunt. He could and should add more to his game in the coming years, he's only 22. Going into the new season he's played in a lot of the pre-season matches and head coach Steve Tandy has had good things to say about him, i think we could see a lot more of him this season.

Having lost a lot of quality back three players and not brought in any replacements, the youngsters will have to stake their claim. I'd look out for Ross Jones, he's naturally a fullback but we could see him on the left wing quite a bit with Fussell kept at fullback (bad decision imo, Fussell is a crap fullback).

Scott Baldwin is a big and mobile young hooker. With Huw Bennett gone and only Welsh international Hibbard as his competition we will see plenty of him, and i have to say he looks like a very good prospect. Then there's young tighthead Joe Rees who will get games hear and there, dito openside Sam Lewis.

 

[04perryo]

At worcester i would watch out for Ben Howard hes started every pre season friendly match and he looks like a player who will bring a bit of flair into the worcester backline, hopefully matvesi will be also bring some flair

 

[Draggs]

At the Ospreys i'd look out for Matthew Morgan. Great runner of the ball and good overall game. He needs to learn how to run the back line and organise the team better. He played in quite a few matches last year and had a mixed bag imo, some good games and some very average ones. With that experience i think he will have improved a lot.

Blindside/second row (more of a 6) James King has been in the Ospreys squad for a few years now and hasn't really established himself. He's a solid player, nothing special just makes his tackles and does the grunt. He could and should add more to his game in the coming years, he's only 22. Going into the new season he's played in a lot of the pre-season matches and head coach Steve Tandy has had good things to say about him, i think we could see a lot more of him this season.

Having lost a lot of quality back three players and not brought in any replacements, the youngsters will have to stake their claim. I'd look out for Ross Jones, he's naturally a fullback but we could see him on the left wing quite a bit with Fussell kept at fullback (bad decision imo, Fussell is a crap fullback).

Scott Baldwin is a big and mobile young hooker. With Huw Bennett gone and only Welsh international Hibbard as his competition we will see plenty of him, and i have to say he looks like a very good prospect. Then there's young tighthead Joe Rees who will get games hear and there, dito openside Sam Lewis.

With Bennett injured for a while, Owens/Rees/Hibbard all unpredictable, I would not be surprised if Baldwin has some involvement with the national squad. Very likely to get a cap soon, with the Japan tour occurring next year.
I do realise that this is a Prem thread, but can't we all be friends?

For the Dragons, Jack Dixon is highly thought of and if Tuilagi is poor once more we could see young Dixon given a run at inside centre. I have high hopes for Tom Prydie. He is seemingly our first choice goalkicker already, and had a very good JWC. Daniel Evans has been praised throughout the preseason, as had Darren Waters until his injury (ACL, 6 months). I desperately want to see Jonathan Evans given a shot.

 

[dullonien]

There's quite a few players to look out for at the Cardiff Blues.

There's Rhys Williams at hooker who I firmly believe to be their best option, but will probably start the season behind Breeze, Dacey and Kyriacou unfortunately. Hopefully Davies gives him some games early and he can move ahead of those three that I don't really rate, especially Breeze.

The Blues have a massive pool of potential in the second row with Cook, Down, Hill and Screech all potential future Welsh internationals. This makes the signing of Lou Reed all the more confusing and annoying. If at least two of these aren't playing regularly this coming season I'll be extremely ******.

Despite being on the radar for a long time, I think Tovey's move to the Blues could be the kick start he's needed after a substantial lull in his career over the past season. He might have been hoping for a stronger pack in front of him, especially at scrum time, but the Blues pack with the likes of Warburton, Pretorius, Bradley Davies and Peterson is still substantially stronger than the Dragons pack he left behind (despite the best efforts of Lydiate and Faletau). This is make or break for him, I say he makes it and is involved in next years 6 nations.

Center is another area where the Blues have a few options coming through the ranks. Cory Allen and Owen Williams should feature regularly if Davies has any sense and doesn't share B&B's love of the useless Gavin Evans. I'd also consider both over Daf Hewitt as well, who's a good servant and a solid player, but nothing special.

Out wide there is of course the biggest (smallest) player to look out for in Harry Robinson. I'm sure most know about him, but with Czekaj out for the beginning of the season, Robinson should be given plenty of gametime.

 

[Draggs]

There's quite a few players to look out for at the Cardiff Blues.

There's Rhys Williams at hooker who I firmly believe to be their best option, but will probably start the season behind Breeze, Dacey and Kyriacou unfortunately. Hopefully Davies gives him some games early and he can move ahead of those three that I don't really rate, especially Breeze.

The Blues have a massive pool of potential in the second row with Cook, Down, Hill and Screech all potential future Welsh internationals. This makes the signing of Lou Reed all the more confusing and annoying. If at least two of these aren't playing regularly this coming season I'll be extremely ******.

Despite being on the radar for a long time, I think Tovey's move to the Blues could be the kick start he's needed after a substantial lull in his career over the past season. He might have been hoping for a stronger pack in front of him, especially at scrum time, but the Blues pack with the likes of Warburton, Pretorius, Bradley Davies and Peterson is still substantially stronger than the Dragons pack he left behind (despite the best efforts of Lydiate and Faletau). This is make or break for him, I say he makes it and is involved in next years 6 nations.

Center is another area where the Blues have a few options coming through the ranks. Cory Allen and Owen Williams should feature regularly if Davies has any sense and doesn't share B&B's love of the useless Gavin Evans. I'd also consider both over Daf Hewitt as well, who's a good servant and a solid player, but nothing special.

Out wide there is of course the biggest (smallest) player to look out for in Harry Robinson. I'm sure most know about him, but with Czekaj out for the beginning of the season, Robinson should be given plenty of gametime.

Unlikely, Hewitt and Evans are two of the five vice captains.
Agree totally about the second rows. If they don't get time, central contracts and send them to the Dragons
I see Patchell as a better prospect than Tovey right now. Tovey hasn't really kicked on to where we had hoped. Patchell is decently quick and had a good boot I hear. Also a big pale ginger, so the Blues have make up for Tito

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Brady, Miller and Addison at Sale - though they've been in/around the squad for a season or more now so probably don't count.

Mark Jennings looks to have a very bright future and is very highly rated by all the coaches at Sale - not sure how much game time he'll get this season though. Hopefully some (probably a few LV= bench spots), though I wouldn't be surprised to see him loaned out to Leeds.

 

[theartfuldodg3r]

Marlon Yard and Treviranus at the Exiles

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[Twebby]

Ken Pisi could be one to watch at Saints, hopefully alongside the re-emergence of Dom Waldouck as a top class player. If Jamie Elliott stays injury free then he could also kick on and really start to show his promise. In the pack, Alex Waller and Mike Haywood will continue to push for starting berths (which up against Tonga'uiha and Hartley would be no mean feat), and look out for young Kiwi Teimana Harrison at flanker - awful hair but a very exciting prospect at openside.

 

[michaelbolton]

For London Irish
Anthony Watson? Or is this season too early?

For Tigers
George Ford

 

[Darwin]

Ken Pisi could be one to watch at Saints, hopefully alongside the re-emergence of Dom Waldouck as a top class player. If Jamie Elliott stays injury free then he could also kick on and really start to show his promise. In the pack, Alex Waller and Mike Haywood will continue to push for starting berths (which up against Tonga'uiha and Hartley would be no mean feat), and look out for young Kiwi Teimana Harrison at flanker - awful hair but a very exciting prospect at openside.

It will be interesting to see how Ken Pisi goes at Saints. He never really impressed me while in New Zealand, but I know that North Harbour assistant coach Jeff Wilson held him in very high regard (and he should know a thing or two about outside backs!) - hopefully a change of scenery will help in reach his potential!

 

[j'nuh]

Ken Pisi could be one to watch at Saints, hopefully alongside the re-emergence of Dom Waldouck as a top class player. If Jamie Elliott stays injury free then he could also kick on and really start to show his promise. In the pack, Alex Waller and Mike Haywood will continue to push for starting berths (which up against Tonga'uiha and Hartley would be no mean feat), and look out for young Kiwi Teimana Harrison at flanker - awful hair but a very exciting prospect at openside.

Kind of wish Alesana was still at Leicester. A PisiPisi-TuilagiTuilagi clash would have been something.

Do you know how Wood has been doing in preseason?

 

[LittleGuy]

Phil Mackenzie with London Welsh he was a try machine with a terrible Esher side in the Championship last season could do well this year.

Edit: Also will beinteresting to see how Jebb Sinclair does upon his return, I'm sure his time in South Africa has improved his skill set, hopefully Irish actually smarten up and put him in the 22.

 

[Twebby]

Kind of wish Alesana was still at Leicester. A PisiPisi-TuilagiTuilagi clash would have been something.

Do you know how Wood has been doing in preseason?

I think PisiPisi would win on brains

Tom Wood came off the bench against Leinster and started against Edinburgh in preseason. Scored tries in both and no obvious signs of injury. Jim Mallinder has been saying for a while he hoped to have him fit for the start of the season and fingers crossed he seems to have managed it. I very much doubt he is fully match sharp or back to his very best yet, but even a slightly under par Tom Wood is a great option to have.

 

[lucky number 7]

3 Gorey men playing across the pond.

It will make this season far more interesting for me.

Robin Copeland - Cardiff Blues
Eoin Sherrif - Saracens
Foster Horan - London Irish

Robin should be definitely there there abouts in the first tea
Eoin will be looking to breakthrough this season
And Foster is on a trial contract at them moment , but he could be in with a shout of a few prem games

 

[j'nuh]

Tom Wood came off the bench against Leinster and started against Edinburgh in preseason. Scored tries in both and no obvious signs of injury. Jim Mallinder has been saying for a while he hoped to have him fit for the start of the season and fingers crossed he seems to have managed it. I very much doubt he is fully match sharp or back to his very best yet, but even a slightly under par Tom Wood is a great option to have.

As an England fan, I hope he gets back to his best. As a Gloucester fan, I hope he does it in a few weeks time.

 

[Gaunt15]

As a saints fan i believe Jamie Elliot as the obvious choice from our set- up, James Craig is also and up and coming who seems to excel in the line out.
From other clubs i think the likes of: Launchbury, Wade(Wasps), Yarde(Irish), Kvesic(Warriors), Ford(Tigers), Vunipola(Saracens) and a slightly different one- Jack Wallace(wasps) if he gets game time

 

[j'nuh]

8 man benches are coming in, and with Stevens retiring, England have a vacant spot for Cole's backup. PDJ and Harden don't seem to have had the best starts to the season. (They'll probably turn it around in time.) How is Henry Thomas doing? Dave Wilson? Who else is contending at the minute?

Shaun Knight has been great in the scrum in the last couple of games. I've read how good his scrummaging has become, but to see him hold his own and get the better of Tonga'uiha really impressed me. Too early to tell whether he's an England contender yet though.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Henry Thomas is only just back from a long term knee injury, so has only played for about 10mins this season, so hard to say.
Will be interesting to see who gets "promoted" from the Saxons with Stevens' retirement from int. rugby, though.