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So, we are only a week away from the new season and as ever, I feel more excited than I remember feeling last year.
I'm guessing that at this point most people will have some idea of how they think their team/the league will work out this year.
Now's your chance to lay down your rights to future claims of "I told you so"
Here are a couple of mine:
- Harlequins might not be in the top four this year. Last season saw them failing to build upon their premiership winning formula.
Whether teams had worked them out or it was simply that they were out of form/didn't execute, they didn't look anywhere near as threatening as they had previously.
I really cannot see that changing. In fact with the loss of Kohn and Johnston, I can see their pack really struggling at times, particularly throughout the winter.
Their tight 5 really lacks for experience, and even where it is experienced (in Robson and Kennedy) it is lightweight.
Having said that; if Marler, Buchanan, Sinckler, Twomey, Merrick and Matthews can get decent game-time then the club are setting themselves up very nicely for future seasons.
On a side note: Marler looks to have bulked up a little bit in the off-season.
- Bath will be in the top six this year and even if the team isn't that imposing, several of their individual players will be.
They have some really good young (and young-ish) English players with the potential to put themselves into England starting contention.
I think Rob Webber, Dave Attwood, David Wilson and Kyle Eastmond in particular will really show why they should be in England's 23 this Autumn.
Outside of those four there is also Carl Fearns, Matt Garvey, David Sisi, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson.
Matt Banahan has been moved back onto the wing, which is clearly his strongest position.
They have also added quality where it was badly needed at 8 with Leroy Houston, who could be very important for them.
Bath have the ability to pick an extremely big pack that does not lack for mobility and an extremely potent backline.
If the management and coaches can get them to play to their potential then Bath could be in with a shout of the top four.
It's still a very big if at this point though.
I'm guessing that at this point most people will have some idea of how they think their team/the league will work out this year.
Now's your chance to lay down your rights to future claims of "I told you so"
Here are a couple of mine:
- Harlequins might not be in the top four this year. Last season saw them failing to build upon their premiership winning formula.
Whether teams had worked them out or it was simply that they were out of form/didn't execute, they didn't look anywhere near as threatening as they had previously.
I really cannot see that changing. In fact with the loss of Kohn and Johnston, I can see their pack really struggling at times, particularly throughout the winter.
Their tight 5 really lacks for experience, and even where it is experienced (in Robson and Kennedy) it is lightweight.
Having said that; if Marler, Buchanan, Sinckler, Twomey, Merrick and Matthews can get decent game-time then the club are setting themselves up very nicely for future seasons.
On a side note: Marler looks to have bulked up a little bit in the off-season.
- Bath will be in the top six this year and even if the team isn't that imposing, several of their individual players will be.
They have some really good young (and young-ish) English players with the potential to put themselves into England starting contention.
I think Rob Webber, Dave Attwood, David Wilson and Kyle Eastmond in particular will really show why they should be in England's 23 this Autumn.
Outside of those four there is also Carl Fearns, Matt Garvey, David Sisi, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson.
Matt Banahan has been moved back onto the wing, which is clearly his strongest position.
They have also added quality where it was badly needed at 8 with Leroy Houston, who could be very important for them.
Bath have the ability to pick an extremely big pack that does not lack for mobility and an extremely potent backline.
If the management and coaches can get them to play to their potential then Bath could be in with a shout of the top four.
It's still a very big if at this point though.
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