If you could sign 3 players...

OK, so you are in charge of acquisitions for your club. You are allowed to sign 3 new players to strengthen them. But only 1 can be a non-whatever your nationality is- qualified player, and one must be a "below the radar" player (a non-regular starter at other clubs or a player in a lower league). Who do you pick and why?

At Tigers we could do with signing an experienced hooker, a flying winger and a FB.

So i would suggest Bismark du Plessis (NEQ), Marcus Watson from LI(under the radar) and (assuming people like Foden/Brown are unavailable) Rob Miller from Sale. (Would love Olly Morgan - but too injury prone)

Do you mean Anthony Watson? Marcus (his elder brother) is with sarries now.

For Ulster I would go with

David Pocock as a 7 and the foreigner
Jonny Sexton as a 10
Ian Nagle 4/5 as the under the radar

Castro, Lawes & Jacob Rowan please

Hmmm, tough one.

Under the radar - Anthony Watson - rapid fb/winger with an eye for a gap, yes please. Agree with LT fully on that one though Charlie Walker was in contention but he had his chance.

First team signing - Jamie George - he's young and he's talented. Offer excellent rotation options with Tom Youngs in the long run and under the careful instruction of Richard Cockerill he should be a top hooker for many years at a club that loves it's forwards.

Marquee signing - James O'Connor - as a fullback that can cover 10 or 12 if we need him to. His counter attacking, fleet footed style combined with excellent footballing skills will see him a popular replacement for club legend Geordan Murphy.

So... I'll start then. I am a Quins supporter, and we need a big, mean lock, a kicker to support Clegg when Evans isn't playing and maybe another prop to back up Marler, Johnston and Lambert.

For the second row, I'd welcome the physicality of Garvey to be honest, at the moment only Kohn adds that in the engine room, plus we can combine him with Robson for a possible England partnership

For a non- FH kicker I'd like Homer, he can cover wing and FB and possibly the centres and playing him there with Clegg when Evans isn't around will allow Clegg to focus on getting the backline moving, which he is a natural at, as he knows that if he misses some kicks we have a good back-up kicker.

Finally, for a talented young prop, Leicester's Ryan Bower is young and talented and covers both sides of the scrum

Took so long to start it wasn't even nearly the first post!

Actually all of my players are EQ, so I might swap Garvey, good as he looks, for Bakkies Botha

Artful_Dodger wrote:For Ulster I would go with

David Pocock as a 7 and the foreigner
Jonny Sexton as a 10
Ian Nagle 4/5 as the under the radar

Maybe Whitten or Faloon back instead?

Yeah but choosing all EQ players is very in keeping with the Quins ethos CJ. Ryan Bower has signed a new contract at Tigers so it will be interesting to see how much game time he gets next season as there are three first team props on either side of the Tigers scrum ahead of him and academy graduate Johnny Harris alongside (the pair were propping partners for years) as a good loosehead.

For the Crusaders I'd like Andries Bekker from SA at lock, Aaron Smith (not sure if he's under the radar now he's keeping Cowan on the bench for the Highlanders but I'll count him) at half-back and Adam Thompson at 6.

mawhis wrote:Do you mean Anthony Watson? Marcus (his elder brother) is with sarries now.

Oops, yes i did.

For Leinster I'd take Luke Marshall from ulster (youngster) hes gonna be a star, Donnacha Ryan (established IQ) from Munster- showing some excellent form and lock is where Leinster are weakest and it would be between McCaw and Pocock for the marquee signing. Think id swing towards Pocock.

Sam and I both chose a hooker, winger and FB/Utility.

However as a former forward I spent the big money on a grizzled SA hooker, and Sam as a fancy dan chose an Aussie twinkle toes

HongKongCherry wrote:Castro, Lawes & Joacob Rowan please

I like your thinking with Jacob Rowan. Unfortunately for Leeds I think they may find it difficult to keep hold of him with another year in the Championship on the cards.

At Ulster I'd take Ian Madigan , Ritchie Gray and Sam Warburton.

roddersm wrote:At Ulster I'd take Ian Madigan , Ritchie Gray and Sam Warburton.

that 2 NIE rodders

Pocock
Mclaughin
Madigan

Richie Gray, Conor Murray and Darren Cave.

LondonTiger wrote:Sam and I both chose a hooker, winger and FB/Utility.

However as a former forward I spent the big money on a grizzled SA hooker, and Sam as a fancy dan chose an Aussie twinkle toes

To be fair, a spectacularly talented and multi-skilled Aussie twinkle toes who can cover every position from 10-15, kick like he was born to it and is pretty enough to attract a female audience to your club.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR6kUzhvt9o

Specifically 1.16 - ludicrous footwork

However as a former forward I spent the big money on a grizzled SA hooker, and Sam as a fancy dan chose an Aussie twinkle toes

Lol well the Tigers priorities in terms of recruitment this off season were to sign a back up 10/12, add pace to the wings and try and sort out replacements for Murphy and Chuter. Bowden and the wing signings sort out the first two of those issues but more speed and replacements for the two stalwarts were still required. I guess the big lumps like to see big cash spent on the big lumps whilst the skillfull lot like to see money spent on skill .

Joking aside either big name would go well as we need more penetration in the side. O'Connor got the nod as the foreign option as he genuinely could replace Geordan (not many could). He can take on the creative work, hit the quality lines, he has the game management skills to offer leadership, the football skills to play the tactical game and the now mandatory requirement of a Tigers full back, be able to create something from nothing (hence why we've not replaced Geordan after many years of attempts). Bismark would be awesome but with Youngs looking promising and Hawkins decent one more good option would secure our squad depth where as we might lose the squad depth with Bismark hogging the shirt all the time.

Kingshu wrote:

roddersm wrote:At Ulster I'd take Ian Madigan , Ritchie Gray and Sam Warburton.

that 2 NIE rodders

Pocock
Mclaughin
Madigan

I've read the rules wrong:

Even better then..... Ian Madigan, Donnacha Ryan and Sam Warburton.

At the Scarlets I think if we had a WC lock, TH and 7 then we'd be pretty hard to beat - so Gray, Pocock (or Warbs) and Castrogiovanni

Smirnoffpriest wrote:At the Scarlets I think if we had a WC lock, TH and 7 then we'd be pretty hard to beat - so Gray, Pocock (or Warbs) and Castrogiovanni

Ahh I see I've read the rules wrong as well - I'd take Gray, Tupric and A Jones then

For Cardiff Blues:

1. Rhys Gill - looking very good when I've seen him, young and welsh, a handful of caps to his name and is a potential future star imo.

3. Adam Jones - If you've seen the blues scrummage, you'd understand.

8. Conrad Smith - to play outside Roberts and organise the backline.

For the Ospreys, i'd take Dagg, Scott Williams, and Toby Faletau.

Tricky, there are a lot of areas which need strenghening for Bath!

Overseas- Guthro Steenkamp. - a Solid older LH is desperately needed to help bring Catt through. (Although I do feel that Flatman is sometimes a bit hard done by as he as a reputation).

1st team- Probably Garvey to add some bulk to the second row, him and Attwood woudl be an intimidating pair.

Young player- Can Elliott Daly count as one? He looks pretty decent and some penertration in the centres is badly needed.

For the Blues I'd choose a good solid 10 in the form of Carter. JD2 at centre for us to couple Roberts. Rhys Gill at prop.

Bathman if I was picking for Bath I'd be going for:

Young player - Ryan Mills - creative IC and kicking option. A direct replacement for Barkley who is past his best.

First team - Parling - add much needed organisation to the lineout and add work rate to the pack.

Marquee - The Beast - Bath prop mobility but scrummaging ability as well.

The again you may need another 3 choices...

Sam

To be fair, Bath could do with both sets!

I see where you are coming from in all cases there, I almost put Beast down but thought actually what is really needed is a rock in the scrum.

I rate Parling but in this fantasy situation Garvey would be a long term player for the club and the new Danny Grewcock.

Now maybe I would swap out Daly for Mills, Gloucester are lucky to have Hartpury to keep the good young players coming through. Theres a chance Heathcote may have some time at 12 next season if Donald is still around of course.

I've been impressed with Leicester's signings, Thompstone and Benjamin in particular, I think both of them will do well for you, Thompstone in particular has been unlucky with injuries.

Munster:

01 - Cian Healy
06 - Sean O'Brien
10 - Ian Madigan

We've used up our NIQ quota so we need to "buy Irish".

That would improve our scrum, give us go-forward ball in the back row and let us unleash a great young #10.

For Saints we need a new 12, a rerplacemnet for Ashton and greater backrow cover (even before Clark's ban) so I went for

12. Brad Barritt. We need a defensively sound ball crashing 12. If allowed to pick 2 no English players I would have gone with Jean De Villiers as I think he would fit our style of play perfectly.
11/14 Cory Jane. Proven international wing (and significantly better player) to replace Ashton
8 Tom Guest. Must be the best 8 in the league not starting for his club on a regular basis.

For Quins:

NEQ- Bismark Du Plessis, adds experience power/weight and technical skill. Close call with one of Beast or Mujati too.

EQ Player- Ed slater, ballast in the engine room, surprisingly dynamic with a good turn of pace and off loading skills.

Under Radar- Marland Yarde, not sure if he is under the radar so much but he has it all for a winger and covers centre well.

For the Chiefs:
NEQ - either Richie Gray or Schalk Brits
EQ player - Jon Joseph
Under radar - Ryan Mills (Exe-made anyway!)

B91212 wrote:For Saints we need a new 12, a rerplacemnet for Ashton and greater backrow cover (even before Clark's ban) so I went for

12. Brad Barritt. We need a defensively sound ball crashing 12. If allowed to pick 2 no English players I would have gone with Jean De Villiers as I think he would fit our style of play perfectly.
11/14 Cory Jane. Proven international wing (and significantly better player) to replace Ashton
8 Tom Guest. Must be the best 8 in the league not starting for his club on a regular basis.

Yep. Great option to have though

ChequeredJersey wrote:

B91212 wrote:For Saints we need a new 12, a rerplacemnet for Ashton and greater backrow cover (even before Clark's ban) so I went for

12. Brad Barritt. We need a defensively sound ball crashing 12. If allowed to pick 2 no English players I would have gone with Jean De Villiers as I think he would fit our style of play perfectly.
11/14 Cory Jane. Proven international wing (and significantly better player) to replace Ashton
8 Tom Guest. Must be the best 8 in the league not starting for his club on a regular basis.

Yep. Great option to have though

Yeah but your just being greedy having both him and Easter on the books

For Munster

2. Bismark du Plessis
6. Stephen Ferris
10. Ian Madigan

I'm pretty happy with the Quins squad as it is, to be honest.

Ryan Bower sounds like he'd be a good under the radar choice, but would have strong competition from the academy props. Richie Gray or his younger brother would make a fine marquee signing. For my EQP, I'd go for 36 as someone who could play alongside Clegg and develop him.

Cumbrian wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:Castro, Lawes & Joacob Rowan please

I like your thinking with Jacob Rowan. Unfortunately for Leeds I think they may find it difficult to keep hold of him with another year in the Championship on the cards.

It's on days like this I miss Snowmonkey, I was forever saying we're after Rowan! He's a quality player and you're right Leeds will struggle to keep hold of him. On one hand moving to a bigger club he'll benefit from playing and training with better players, but on the other he will also benefit from regular game time. Personally I feel he would really benefit from coming to Glaws

For Bath I'd say

Owen Franks - Beast of a TH to shore up the scrum and like a second flanker in the loose
Matt Mullan - Again, another quality prop and EQ
James Fitzpatrick - Young, promising 12 to replace Barkley

For Ulster

Marquee Signing - Heinrich Brussow - Just to keep the Saffer theme going and also to bring a much needed groundhog to the club

IQ - Devin Toner - Would be fantastic alongside Dan or Johan and would really give our lineout a threat

Under the Radar - JJ Hanrahan - Need a new 10 and as much as we would all love to think that Madigan is under the radar, he's not. But this young lad could be the next big thing!

I've been impressed with Leicester's signings, Thompstone and Benjamin in particular, I think both of them will do well for you, Thompstone in particular has been unlucky with injuries.

Yeah they are good options with both offering pace and power. We've got young Lewington chomping at the bit as well as Hamilton so for once we should have good options. We have lacked out right pace since Varndell left but Cockerill likes his powerful workers so trying to find a balance has been tough but I think once again the scouts have done well. I thought Attwood would be the Grewcock replacement long term?

Good options there Bathite.

Attwood looking really good, really happy with that signing and hopefully will be only on fringes of England squads, so we'll have him most of the year. Been slightly outshone by Ryan Caldwell though, our player of the season, top work rate, great carrier

For London Irish, we need a tighthead, a genuine 7 and a 10 or 12.

I would go for Adam Jones (NEQ), Luke Wallace and England U20 centre Sam Hill (I think this kid could be the long term solution at 12 for England).

B91212 wrote:For Saints we need a new 12, a rerplacemnet for Ashton and greater backrow cover (even before Clark's ban) so I went for

12. Brad Barritt. We need a defensively sound ball crashing 12. If allowed to pick 2 no English players I would have gone with Jean De Villiers as I think he would fit our style of play perfectly.
11/14 Cory Jane. Proven international wing (and significantly better player) to replace Ashton
8 Tom Guest. Must be the best 8 in the league not starting for his club on a regular basis.

Frans steyn is available and better than Jean de Villiers.

Bathite wrote:For Bath I'd say

Owen Franks - Beast of a TH to shore up the scrum and like a second flanker in the loose
Matt Mullan - Again, another quality prop and EQ
James Fitzpatrick - Young, promising 12 to replace Barkley

Really good choices. Geordie will be over the moon you've selected Fitzpatrick!

Heinrich Brussow to Ulster is an inspired choice.

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:For Ulster

Marquee Signing - Heinrich Brussow - Just to keep the Saffer theme going and also to bring a much needed groundhog to the club

IQ - Devin Toner - Would be fantastic alongside Dan or Johan and would really give our lineout a threat

Under the Radar - JJ Hanrahan - Need a new 10 and as much as we would all love to think that Madigan is under the radar, he's not. But this young lad could be the next big thing!

nice signings. Toner's a good one but I'd be inclined to go for Ryan as he can cover 6 as well. Both are ideal foils for Tuohy or Muller I think.

It seems 7, 10 and second row are the areas we need to strengthen.

roddersm wrote:

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:For Ulster

Marquee Signing - Heinrich Brussow - Just to keep the Saffer theme going and also to bring a much needed groundhog to the club

IQ - Devin Toner - Would be fantastic alongside Dan or Johan and would really give our lineout a threat

Under the Radar - JJ Hanrahan - Need a new 10 and as much as we would all love to think that Madigan is under the radar, he's not. But this young lad could be the next big thing!

nice signings. Toner's a good one but I'd be inclined to go for Ryan as he can cover 6 as well. Both are ideal foils for Tuohy or Muller I think.

It seems 7, 10 and second row are the areas we need to strengthen.

Don't you guys have enough Saffers already?

We can never have enough saffers

Come to think of it.... what position did you say you played again Biltong??.......