How does your squad look for next season?

[Rinkadink]

Our latest squad update

You're welcome!

Who from the club says we're recruiting more BTW? I'd not be shocked to see one or two more, lock seems thin for example, but I reckon we're basically done until after Xmas.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Don't Bath have Walker at hooker?

Yes, alongside Batty, Van Veerun and Dunn

Interesting document ... For Bath, I count 2 centres (Bowden and Joseph) and 3 wingers (Banahan, Rokoduguni and Williams), but either way it's the same total.

Bath are in a very odd place. The first team is competitive, but total of 33 in the first-team squad is clearly too few, yet they're currently selling players rather than acquiring them ... International call-ups and injuries will leave them really exposed.

I suspect he's counting Jeff Williams as a centre (he's listed as centre / wing) and remembering that we've signed Harry Davies (whilst forgetting Sisi's return).
He is also discounting that Obano and Clark are almost certainly senior players this season too. That 33 is realistically 36.
Of course, Bath are still light of players; especially at THP (1 player) and centre (2 players); and particularly light when the likes of Faletau, Denton & Louw, or Ford and Preistland are away.

Of course, we cannot rule out that further signings have been made and are waiting for the coaching announcements first; especially if they're actually with the new coach's input (here's hoping for Jonny Williams, Piers Francis and Owen Franks). getting enough does seem like a stretch though; and even those 3 would still leave us a little exposed during international periods or an injury crisis.

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

You're welcome!

Who from the club says we're recruiting more BTW? I'd not be shocked to see one or two more, lock seems thin for example, but I reckon we're basically done until after Xmas.

Andy Robinson hinted in the coverage of the 7s yesterday. Agree lock is a potential issue, but wouldnt mind another 3 or 4 just to bulk the squad up a tad.

Apologies for just lifting that from the network site btw

 

[BPM]

Of course, we cannot rule out that further signings have been made and are waiting for the coaching announcements first; especially if they're actually with the new coach's input (here's hoping for Jonny Williams, Piers Francis and Owen Franks). getting enough does seem like a stretch though; and even those 3 would still leave us a little exposed during international periods or an injury crisis.

Francis would be a good signing. He's been playing as a 12, but also covers 10 so would be a very good replacement for Devoto. However, considering that he's pretty much just broken through with the Blues, I can't see him heading home any time in the immediate future.

AFAIK, Franks and Williams have committed to stay at Irish, but would be ideal signings. I imagine part of Williams' desire to stay with Irish was the knowledge that he'd be the likely first choice, but with Eastmond going, he'd also have that opportunity with Bath at a higher level, so it wouldn't be illogical for him to follow in Joseph, Watson and Homer's footsteps.

Realistically, I think Bath either need to target young players who may be down the pecking order at other clubs, AP stalwarts, former internationals that can still cut it for a season or two, or uncapped or out of favour SH players who aren't likely to make it as Springboks, All Blacks or Wallabies.

With Devoto, Hill and Whitten, Exeter arguably have too many 12s, so it might be worth seeing if they'd be willing to sell one of the latter two? Someone like Sinoti Sinoti might fancy a bigger club than Falcons and would be a good reserve for JJ. If those rumours about Ma'a Nonu being in the area are true, why not give him a call? He could do a lot worse than playing between Ford and Joseph.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Francias prob the most likely but could see him staying another year although @ 25 he will need to return to England sharpish, if he wants an English cap but might he want to go to a club playing Champions Cup rugby?
I could see clubs going after him
Saracens - Whilst they have Barritt with Hodgson off they might want to have a second playmaker 12? Yes he is saracens captain but how many games did Hargreaves play last season behind Itoje and Kruis?
Sale - Big hole here for them now that Eastmond isn't coming, as big sam and Leota are getting on a bit 34 and 32 years old a backline of
9) Stringer
10) MacGinty
11) Edwards
12) Francais
13) James
14) Addison
15) Haley
Is pretty damn nice and Francais could be the marquee signing (And with new owners might be possible) since Kruger has done a 360 and moonwalked out of the club.
Harlequins - They need a 10 coming in Jackson is decent but great but can't see Francais viewing his England shot as being a 10.
Gloucester Rugby - Hook and Twelvetrees are not working IMO for Glous, I think 36 is good enough to be a starter ATM he is too inconsistent and thinks he is Manu and can run through people.
Bristol - Have the money but won't be able to attract the likes of SBW, Hogg etc etc which there fans seem to think they are signing, Francais and Pisi would be a good attacking combo.

I can't see Williams leaving Irish till end of next season at earliest.
He wasn't in the same academy group as the Sisi, Watson, JJ, Homer etc etc and i can't see the lure being as strong yet.
Franks if he was going to leave he would of done so by now.

 

[BPM]

Interesting analysis on Francis and his options.

My thoughts are fairly similar - I'm just trying to think of centres that Bath may be able to sign and it's not a long list (or at least not an obvious list).

I agree that he won't be rushing home just yet. However, there was an article about him in today's TRP where the closing quote re. test ambitions was: "From the point of view you've got to play in the Premiership. At the moment, my future's unresolved so we'll leave it at that".

If I were him, I'd give it another season, prove I'm not a flash in the pan and then head home for the start of the 17/18 season with two seasons to have a crack at making the World Cup squad for Japan 2019.

I agree that he's unlikely to compete as a 10 for England, so he needs to go somewhere where he'll be starting at 12. Who knows what will happen over the course of the next 12 months, but provided that they don't get relegated, I'd still see Bath as a leading option (Champions Cup or otherwise). Particularly, as he'd be playing in between Ford and Joseph which would give him a great opportunity to put his case forward for that being a possible test combination.

Bath and Sale would suit his game better than Sarries and, to be honest, I'm not sure he'd go back there after they rejected him as a youngster? I'd also very happily have him at Quins as a 12. I'm not sure Jamie Roberts is really suited to us longer-term and based upon what I've seen so far, I'm not sure Harry Sloan will be any more than a solid AP player.

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Our latest squad update

1) Jack O'Connell, Soane Tonga'uiha, Kyle Traynor

2) Chris Brooker, Max Crumpton, Marc Jones, Ross McMillan

3) Gaston Cortes, Jamal Ford-Robinson, James Hall, Anthony Perenise

4) Ian Evans, Joe Joyce, Glen Townson

5) Ben Glynn, Mark Sorenson, Giorgi Nemsadze, BJ Edwards (on 6 month trail from Eastern Suburbs, Sydney)

6) Jordan Crane, Jon Fisher, Nick Köster

7) Nick Fenton-Wells, Jack Lam, Olly Robinson

8) Mitch Eadie, James Phillips, Rayn Smid



9) Will Cliff, Martin Roberts, Rhodri Williams

10) Adrian Jarvis, Tusi Pisi, Callum Sheedy

11) Ryan Edwards, David Lemi

12) Gavin Henson, Will Hurrell, Ben Mosses, Thretton Palamo

13) Nick Carpenter, Gareth Maule, Jack Tovey

14) Charlie Amesbury, Tom Varndell

15) Luke Arscott, Auguy Slowik, Jack Wallace, Jordan Williams

Fairly solid squad, but the talk from the club is that we aren't finished with incomings yet

Updated with new signings

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

what happened to Bristol signing Wade, Hogg, Smith, SBW,

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

Deep in the dreams of those who suddenly think promotion means we're among the elite in Europe

 

[Rinkadink]

No problem with the lift, it's meant to be shared and enjoyed!

And like magic the thin lock situation is addressed. (^_-)

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

No problem with the lift, it's meant to be shared and enjoyed!

And like magic the thin lock situation is addressed. (^_-)

Yeah, I like it too. Experience of French Rugby and Internationally in an improving team. Dont think he'll start that many league games, but a good bench/European option to have. I also wonder how we became aware of the Aussie trialist, not exactly a high exposure competition outside of Oz

 

[Rinkadink]

No idea on the latter part, as I said on the unoffy there was nothing scintillating about BJ Edwards in the YouTube video but I guess there must be something given the 6 months. Hope he's a revelation. Big guy too, that doesn't exactly come over in the video either so maybe it's a case of the camera lying. We have Evans and Glynn (latter is continuously improving and maybe the prem is what he needs to kick on properly) whom I both really rate anyway. Phillips can play lock also but given his form at 8 he'll probably remain there.

 

[BRSTLDRGN]

No idea on the latter part, as I said on the unoffy there was nothing scintillating about BJ Edwards in the YouTube video but I guess there must be something given the 6 months. Hope he's a revelation. Big guy too, that doesn't exactly come over in the video either so maybe it's a case of the camera lying. We have Evans and Glynn (latter is continuously improving and maybe the prem is what he needs to kick on properly) whom I both really rate anyway. Phillips can play lock also but given his form at 8 he'll probably remain there.

Agree, nothing outstanding but theres obviously something we've seen and like the potential. I guess he'll play A League games, maybe the odd LV Cup if he's allowed

 

[Geordie]

Forwards
Props:
TH - Taione Vea, Jon Welsh, Scott Wilson, Paddy Ryan, Andrew Foster
LH - Ben Harris, Rob Vickers , Eric Fry, Alex Rogers, Sam Lockwood, Adam Brocklebank (A)

Hookers: Scott Lawson, Ben Sowrey, Kyle Cooper
David Nelson (A), Santiago Socino (A)

Second Rows: Callum Green, Mauritz Botha, Will Witty, Sean Robinson , Evan Olmstead, Nick Civetta, Glen Youngs, Andrew Davidson
Harry Snowdon (A), Josh Williams (A), Max Davies (A),

Back Row: Ally Hogg, Will Welch, Nili Latu, Mark Wilson, Dan Temm, Joshua Chisanga, Harrison Orr, Opeti Fonua, Tyrone Holmes
Joe Craggs (A), Calum Chick (A), Sebastian Ferreira (A), Simon Uzokwe (A)

Backs
SH's: Sonatane Tukulua, Micky Young, Sam Egerton
Dan Taylor (A), Ruaridh Dawson (A)

Fh's: Tom Catterick, Mike Delaney, Joel Hodgson
Craig Willis (A), Brett Connon (A)

Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Adam Powell, Chris Harris,
Adam Redman centre (A), Tom Penny (A)

Wing: Sinoti Sinoti, Marcus Watson, Zac Kibirige, Veriniki Goneva,
Dan Marshall (A)

FB's: Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley
Ed Coulson (A)

Signings for This Season:
Niki Goneva - Wing (Leicester)
Sam Lockwood - LH Prop (Jersey)
Sam Egerton - SH (7's / Quins)
Harrison Orr - Back Row (Ealing)
Joel Hodgson - 9, 10, 15 (Leeds)
Ben Sowrey - Hooker (Worcester)
Evan Olmstead - Lock (London Scottish)
Opeti Fonua - Back Rower (Leicester)
Nick Civetta - Lock forward (Italy)
Andrew Davidson - Lock Forward Scotland U20
Kyle Cooper - Hooker (South Africa)
Tyrone Holmes - 6/7 - Glasgow

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Can see either Witty or Green leaving you next season.

 

[Geordie]

Yeah possibly.

Our second rows are quality. I'd prefer to see green go and keep Witty - he's started the preseasons in huge form along side Olmstead. They have looked a very physical duo yet mobile. And the young Scotland U20 lad we have signed Davidson looks a real prospect aswell, and young Max Davies in the academy is another coming through ....and we also have a young lock in the U18 England squad.

Of the lot of them I would hope to keep:
Will Witty, Sean Robinson , Evan Olmstead, Glen Youngs (On loan at Doncaster) , Andrew Davidson
Harry Snowdon (A), Josh Williams (A), Max Davies (A),
That gives us some very good options now and for the future. And most are home produced.

I wouldnt fear losing....Callum Green, Mauritz Botha (should retire anyway), Nick Civetta (completely out of his depth at this level)

 

[BPM]

Newcastle's squad actually looks better than I thought it was TBH.

Geordiefalcon - what does your starting XV look like? Presumably either Goneva or Sinoti drops in as a 13 rather than a wing?

Do you think the young English players - specifically, Wilson, Witty and Chick going to see much game time this season?

 

[Geordie]

Yeah we have not a bad squad going in to this season...we did last season we were just crippled with injuries - long term to key players like Jon Welsh at TH who is class.

Its difficult to say just yet what the 1st choice squad would be as we have signed some players for our weaker positions but due to ****les we haven't seen them run out In the pre season yet. Ill be able to give a better idea after a couple of prem games.

However to give a rough idea....

1 Vickers (We signed Lockwood from Jersey who was named the LH in the championship team of the year but he's had a ****le)
2 Lawson / (Havent seen Cooper a SA hooker who apparently has a temper and is very physical)
3 Welsh / Vea (They will rotate with Welsh covering LH at times aswell)
4 Olmstead / Witty
5 Robinson
6 Wilson / Chisanga (Kenyan - He's like a new very raw version of Latu)
7 Welch
8 Latu

9 Egerton
10 Willis / Catterick / Hodgson / Delayney ??? My choice would be young Willis
11 Sinoti - Looks in the best shape I have ever seen him in preseason and aggressive as I have ever seen him
12 Socino
13 Harris (Goneva will probably get run outs here aswell)
14 Goneva / Watson
15 Hammersley

So as you can see...I just cant name a bang on first choice. Theres too many I need to see settled down.

And Dean Richards is fond of rotation and resting players.

As for the kids..the likes of Kibirige will get lots of gametime this season. Chick also was very good in the first preseason game...he'll get plenty of run outs. Witty has started the preseasons in a very physical and mobile way. His partnership with Olmstead has been really good.

Craggs a flanker.. Marshall a slight but rapid winger will definitely get time...as will Bret Conon another young FH who can cover FB. And hopefully Scotty Wilson our much vaunted young TH will get back in again. He missed the majority of last season with injury.

 

[Daylightfire]

Can't look much further than another fairly unexciting season for Quins unfortunately.

On paper our first XV is quality, but when a fair few of those players head off for internationals the drop down in quality / experience is massive. However I'm looking forward to seeing more of Marchant, who should get plenty of game time due to the fragility of Lowe..
Mikalcius looked very good in his first run out at the weekend, and scored a decent try.
No idea who will nail down the hooker position, could be any of them.

Back row could be dented during internationals but Robshaw, Wallace and Clifford could be a force.

 

[BPM]

Can't look much further than another fairly unexciting season for Quins unfortunately.

On paper our first XV is quality, but when a fair few of those players head off for internationals the drop down in quality / experience is massive. However I'm looking forward to seeing more of Marchant, who should get plenty of game time due to the fragility of Lowe..
Mikalcius looked very good in his first run out at the weekend, and scored a decent try.
No idea who will nail down the hooker position, could be any of them.

Back row could be dented during internationals but Robshaw, Wallace and Clifford could be a force.

100% agree. The second string looked pretty terrible against London Irish, so unless we start well, losing our best players for the AIs will really screw us over.