Your starting 15 so far

We're in mid pre season signings are underway....as of the moment whats your likely starting 15 come the first game of the season...and is it stronger or weaker than last season?
 
Falcons 
I think our squad and team have improved quite a bit and we will definately have a far more physical edge to us. We have a clinical kicker now and improved quality all over. We do need a new 10 though...unless Rory Clegg can really discover his ability with the quality around him. We also have numerous kids coming through that will definately be getting plenty of gametime.
 
Ours
1 Rob Vickers
2 Rob Hawkins / Lawson (McGuigan)
3 Keiron Brookes
4 Callum Green
5 Dom Barrow
6 Josh Furno
7 Will Welch
8 Chris York / Mark Wilson
 
9 Mike Blair
10 Rory Clegg
 
11 Alex Tuilagi / Sinoti Sinoti
12 Juan Pablo Socino
13 Gonzalo Tiesi / Adam Powell
14 Noah Cato / Zac Kibirige
15 Alex Tait

For Edinburgh I think Solomons will have us starting as follows (not my choice in every position):

1.Dickinson 2.Ford 3.Nel 4.Gilchrist 5.Bresler 6.Coman 7.Du Preez 8.Denton 9.Hart 10.Heathcote 11.Visser 12.Strauss 13.Scott 14.Fife 15.Cuthbert

I think we'll be stronger this season than last, as much to do with Solomons and Omar having a proper pre-season than to do with new signings, although Bresler and Heathcote should make a difference.

I can do Glasgow as well:

1.Grant 2.Hall 3.Murray 4.Gray 5.Naka 6.Harley 7.Fusaro 8.Strauss 9.Matawalu 10.Russell 11.DTH 12.Horne 13.Dunbar 14.Maitland 15.Hogg

This is more the side I'd like to see starting games, but Toonie will probably keep Naka and Matawalu on the bench as impact subs, and start Swinson and Pyrgos instead. Difficult leaving out Seymour the way he's playing at the moment, but that's a sign of the depth at Glasgow.

Glasgow will do well to match last season but if they can start the season well, playing the brand of attacking rugby that just blows teams away (which is why I want the two Fijians playing from the start), then they have the depth to sustain another good season.

Have both those sides finished recruitment now do you think FES...?

Ulster- couple of positions with very good depth where I really don't know who is going to win. There will be a big battle for places early on in the season, especially in the centres.

1. Callum Black/Ruaidhrí Murphy
2. Rory Best
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Iain Henderson/Dan Tuohy
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Robbie Diack
7. Chris Henry
8. Nick Williams
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Paddy Jackson
11. Tommy Bowe/Craig Gilroy
12. Stuart Olding/Luke Marshall
13. Jared Payne/Darren Cave
14. Andrew Trimble
15. Louis Ludik

Should be good enough to get Top 4, hopefully to get Top 2, in the Pro12- new-look forward pack might not quite cut it against Toulon and if we do get through our group of death I expect a tough away draw in the quarters so probably don't have a great chance of winning the Champions Cup. Hope we can win the Pro12.

Not too sure who the first XV will be this season with the Scarlets, there are some positions that are pretty much nailed down, but a few where it all depends on how they have got on in the close season, but I would guess at

Liam William
Kris Phillips / Harry Robinson
Regan King / Scott Williams
Scott Williams / Steve Shingler
Jordan Williams
Rhys Priestland
Gareth Davies

Phil John / Rob Evans
Ken Owens
Samson Lee
Jake Ball
George Earle
Rob McCusker
Jon Barclay
Chris Hala'ufia / Rory Pitman

Main question marks around whether Reggie will be up to being a starting player (and same for Phil John) or whether they will be saved as experience on the bench.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Have both those sides finished recruitment now do you think FES...?

Rumours are that Edinburgh will confirm Bresler and Fraser McKenzie today. After that I suspect we'll be done.

Not 100% sure about Glasgow. Euan Murray comes in to fill a big gap at tighthead prop, but they could probably use another tighthead prop as cover, depending on whether it's realitic that Mike Cusack will be an option this season. They are also a bit light on specialist centres, although if DTH is back fit then he becomes an option as does Sean Lamont.

FES Mckensie is confirmed as leaving us for Edinburgh.

I think for the big games Ulster will be

1. Callum Black
2. Rory Best
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Iain Henderson
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Robbie Diack
7. Chris Henry
8. Roger Wilson
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Paddy Jackson
11. Tommy Bowe
12. Luke Marshall
13. Jared Payne
14. Andrew Trimble
15. Louis Ludik

but would prefer

1. Callum Black
2. Rory Best
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Iain Henderson
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Robbie Diack
7. Chris Henry
8. Roger Wilson
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Paddy Jackson
11. Tommy Bowe
12. Stuart Olding
13. Darren Cave
14. Andrew Trimble
15. Jared Payne

Okay for my tigers XV for first game of the season (So excluding confirmed injuries and internationals)
 
 1) Ayerza
 2) Youngs/Ghiraldini
 3) Mulipola
 4) Slater
 5) Parling
 6) Croft
 7) Salvi
 8) Barbieri
 9) Youngs
10) Burns (Due to having played pre season games as Williams is banned)
11) Goneva
12) Allen
13) Manu
14) Morris
15) Tait

 But our main XV imo
 1) Ayerza
 2) Ghiraldini
 3) Cole
 4) Slater
 5) Parling
 6) Croft
 7) Salvi
 8) Barbieri
 9) Youngs
10) Williams
11) Goneva
12) Allen
13) Manu
14) Morris
15) Tait
With a impact bench of
16) Youngs
17) Rizzo
18) Mulipola
19) Kitchener
20) Mafi/Crane
21) Mele
22) Burns
23) Loamanu.Scully

 reckon that 23 could take on most teams in Europe and push them away.

I very much doubt that Barbieri will start the first game ahead of Crane, while the chances of Tait not picking up an injury in the summer are tiny.

LondonTiger wrote:I very much doubt that Barbieri will start the first game ahead of Crane, while the chances of Tait not picking up an injury in the summer are tiny.

 I don't know about the Crane/ Barbieri. Crane is a true tiger plays his best rugby in the last 2 months of the season.

As I said going by confirmed injuries which are Cole, Camacho & Benjamin so far. but his track record for start of season isn't great.

It's difficult to give the Glaws XV with so many new additions, but on paper it looks like:
1. Wood
2. Hibbard
3. Afoa
4. Stooke
5. Galarza/Palmer/Hudson!
6. Kalamafoni/Savage
7. Kvesic
8. Morgan
9. Laidlaw/Robson
10. Hook
11. May
12. 36
13. Trinder
14. Sinbad/Sharples
15. Cook

HongKongCherry wrote:It's difficult to give the Glaws XV with so many new additions, but on paper it looks like:
1. Wood
2. Hibbard
3. Afoa
4. Stooke
5. Galarza/Palmer/Hudson!
6. Kalamafoni/Savage
7. Kvesic
8. Morgan
9. Laidlaw/Robson
10. Hook
11. May
12. 36
13. Trinder
14. Sinbad/Sharples
15. Cook

Pack already looks like an upgrade all ready HKC, with the additions of Afoa and Hibbard. Should give you a better physical presence, and hopefully give you some front ball to get that exciting backline moving!

Do you think Savage is seem as a long term 6 then? Not lock?

For Quins at the moment I think it will be -
Marler
Ward
K.Sinkler
Robson
C.Matthews
Wallace
Robshaw
Easter
Care
N.Evans
U.Monye
JTH
Casson
M.Yarde
M.Brown

Expect guys like - Grey, Buchanan, Collier, Lowe (if fit), to really be pushing for 1st choice.
Ross Chisholm, Chalie Walker, Jack Clifford etc.

Welly wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:I very much doubt that Barbieri will start the first game ahead of Crane, while the chances of Tait not picking up an injury in the summer are tiny.

 I don't know about the Crane/ Barbieri. Crane is a true tiger plays his best rugby in the last 2 months of the season.

As I said going by confirmed injuries which are Cole, Camacho & Benjamin so far. but his track record for start of season isn't great.

It takes something special in pre-season for Cockers to pick a new player, hence why I think that about Crane/Barbieri.

HKC,

Do you not forsee Jacob Rowan challenging Kvesic for that 7 spot? He's a cracking player!! A hell of a signing.

Leinster will have a lot of options in the backline (code for unsettled);

Healy (McGrath)
Cronin (Dundon)
Ross (Moore)
Toner (Denton) would like to see Marshall given an opportunity
Douglas (McCarthy) Douglas might be a late arrival nearer Christmas
O'Brien (McLaughlin)
Ruddock (Jennings) strength in the backrow but there are some promising kids coming through also
Heaslip (Murphy)

Reddan (McGrath) Boss more than likely will be backup but would prefer Luke
Gopperth (Madigan) probably will be other way around

Kirchener (Fitzgerald)
Darcy (Reid) this will only change if Darcy is positionally switched to outside
McFadden (Macken) this could be any of McFadden, Darcy, Macken, Fitzgerald, Madigan, Ringrose(?)
D Kearney (Fanning) McFadden is possibly the more likely reserve but would prefer him to get time at centre
R Kearney (Kelleher) probably would be Kirchener but would like Kelleher to get some time

To be honest, could be very far from the mark come the first game of the season.

1.Stankovich
2.T.R Thomas
3.Brok Harris
4.Rynard Landman/Coombs
5.Hill/Screech/Gough
6.Coombs/Talei/Powell
7.Cudd/Lewis Evans
8.Falateu
9.Rees
10.Tovey
11.Brew
12.Dixon
13.Leach
14.Prydie
15.Byrne/Amos

I'm not to sure what our 1st choice second row or back row will be but other than that probably strongest 15 to start season

As far as I'm aware the only confirmed Saints signing so far is Joel Hodgson from Falcons as a 9 (strange). Also no news yet that I know of who's leaving. What I think will be first choice is first in the list

1- Corbisierio/A.Waller/E.Waller/Hobbs-Awoyemi
2- Hartley/Heywood/McMillan/Williams
3- Ma'afu/Mercey/ Denman
4- Manoa/Day
5- Lawes/Craig/Verbakel*
6- Clark/Dowson
7- Wood/Nutley/Harrison
8- Dickinson
9- Dickson/Fotuali'i/A.Day/Hodgson
10- Myler/Holley/Dickson*
11- North/Collins
12- Burrell/Stephenson
13- G.Pisi/Wilson/Waldouck*
14- Elliot/K.Pisi
15- Foden/Autagavaia*

*Unsure of contract status for next season.

Happy with the first team but feel we need more depth in the second and back row. Would be nice to have a stronger TH to deputise/rotate with Ma'afu and a more established 10 to back up Myler and help with Hooley's development.

LT, Cockers was very complimentary of Barbieri when discussing the signings on the radio. I think Crane will need a very good pre season to maintain his place.

Tait missed the start of the last two seasons because of surgery. That's not the case this summer so he should be fit and raring to go (touch wood).

I think Cockers will back Williams to start even with his ban. He's a more reliable option and Cockers will want Burns to feel he has to earn the shirt and show consistency.

The Blues

1. Jenkins
2. Rees / Dacey
3. Mitchell
4. Hoeata / Dicomidis
5. Paulo
6. Cook / Turnbull
7. Warburton / Jenkins / Navidi / Watts-Jones
8. Vosowai / Jones
9. Lewis Jones / Knoyle / Williams
10. Patchell
11. Watkins
12. Allen
13. Hopefully Owen Williams if not Smith/Hewitt
14. Cuthbert
15. Fish

Lots of depth in the backrow, not so much at 10 or the other backline positions except 9.

formerly known as Sam wrote:LT, Cockers was very complimentary of Barbieri when discussing the signings on the radio. I think Crane will need a very good pre season to maintain his place.

Tait missed the start of the last two seasons because of surgery. That's not the case this summer so he should be fit and raring to go (touch wood).

I think Cockers will back Williams to start even with his ban. He's a more reliable option and Cockers will want Burns to feel he has to earn the shirt and show consistency.

It pains me to admit it but I think Barbieri could be very successful in that he will fit perfectly into how you Tigers like your backrow. The balance of him, Salvi and Croft potentially looks very good if they can stay injury free.

This debate was being had over on The Craic about what our (London Irish) best XV will be next season. There was some consternation from various people that I had left out players who performed well for us this season. For me we will be looking at something along the lines of

15. Tom Homer
14. Topsy Ojo
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Eamonn Sheridan
11. Andrew Fenby
10. Shane Geraghty
9. Tomas O'Leary

1. Tom Court
2. David Paice
3. Geoff Cross (Halani Aulika)
4. George Skivington
5. Sean Cox
6. Ofisa Treviranus/Dan Leo
7. Blair Cowan
8. Luke Narraway/Tom Guest

I would like to see Gerard Ellis and Tom Fowlie given enough game time to stake a genuine claims for the 2 and 13 jerseys respectively, as both have massive potential and could go on to have good international careers if managed properly.

Does Kieran Low not figure as an option for the London Irish XV?

Been impressed with Blair Cowan this summer, and you've got a good bloke in Geoff Cross at tighthead. Quite a technical scrummager and works his nuts off in the loose.

Sean Cox is a loose cannon though. Involves himself in every skirmish and likes a yellow card.

Lieran appears to be a favourite of Brian Smith fES, so I would not be at all surprised to see him at 6.  I think we have more depth in the back row and we will see more rotation this season.  For me he lacks a bit in the carrying department, but is mobile and athletic and gets around and makes his tackles.  He's also a good lineout option.  I suspect there may be some horses for courses selections for us this season.

I'm really pleased getting Geoff Cross, we now have good depth at tighthead, with last seasons 1st and 2nd choice players now effectively 3rd and 4th choice.

He certainly looks to be what we need B91212. Pack options looks nice this season;

1. Ayerza, Rizzo, Bristow, Sia
2. Youngs, Ghilrildini, Briggs,Thacker
3. Cole, Mulipola, Balmain, Pasquali
4. Slater, Deacon, de Chaves
5. Kitchener, Parling, Price
6. Croft, Mafi, Gibson
7. Salvi, Matera, Owen
8. Barbieri, Crane, Pearce

Great spread of abilities and ages. Lot more physicality available to us than last year as well.

Are those players in order or preference Sam? Surely Parling makes the Leicester 1st XV?

bluestonevedder wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:It's difficult to give the Glaws XV with so many new additions, but on paper it looks like:
1. Wood
2. Hibbard
3. Afoa
4. Stooke
5. Galarza/Palmer/Hudson!
6. Kalamafoni/Savage
7. Kvesic
8. Morgan
9. Laidlaw/Robson
10. Hook
11. May
12. 36
13. Trinder
14. Sinbad/Sharples
15. Cook

Pack already looks like an upgrade all ready HKC, with the additions of Afoa and Hibbard. Should give you a better physical presence, and hopefully give you some front ball to get that exciting backline moving!

Do you think Savage is seem as a long term 6 then? Not lock?

He played more at 6 in the 2012/13 season and I think we missed his presence there last season when he mainly played at lock. I still think he has a future at lock, but the signings of Palmer and Galarza mean he's probably seen as a back row player.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Are those players in order or preference Sam? Surely Parling makes the Leicester 1st XV?

Whilst he was injured last season there was a definite feeling at WR that Kitch would be the man this year. However Parling came back from the injury really well - and was stunningly good in NZ. A lot of the Kiwis I met over there reckoned he was the only England player they would have in their squad (though they were complimentary about Robshaw and Manu - but stating the former was no McCaw and the latter too similar to Nonu to work for them).

So yes I reckon Parling and Slater will be tigers second row of choice.

Dunno that one was a tough call. On one hand Parling makes a lot of tackles and is a line out master but on the other Kitchener offers so much more physicality and ball in hand. Kitchener is a pretty Damn good line out option in his own right. I'd be happy with either to be honest.

Ozzy3213 wrote:This debate was being had over on The Craic about what our (London Irish) best XV will be next season.  There was some consternation from various people that I had left out players who performed well for us this season.  For me we will be looking at something along the lines of

15. Tom Homer
14. Topsy Ojo
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Eamonn Sheridan
11. Andrew Fenby
10. Shane Geraghty
9. Tomas O'Leary

1. Tom Court
2. David Paice
3. Geoff Cross (Halani Aulika)
4. George Skivington
5. Sean Cox
6. Ofisa Treviranus/Dan Leo
7. Blair Cowan
8. Luke Narraway/Tom Guest

I would like to see Gerard Ellis and Tom Fowlie given enough game time to stake a genuine claims for the 2 and 13 jerseys respectively, as both have massive potential and could go on to have good international careers if managed properly.

I agree almost entirely with this selection. If Aulika returns at his best though I think he will be ahead of Cross. As pointed out further on, Low is a favourite of Smith and Delaney and BS has always liked his big 6s/3rd second row types so I wonder if that 6 shirt will be more of a contest between Low and Leo in a lot of games. As you say, hopefully we will be able to employ more of a horses for courses selection, which is great considering where we have been over the past few years.

BS also said he hoped Noakes would have the same impact as Evans (I did cringe a bit at that one) has had at Quins so I imagine he will be fighting very hard with Shane for the 10 shirt.

Also, propdavid - you forgot Tikoirotuma who I think will be a big star of the Prem for you next season either at 13 or on the wing.

SirBurger wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:This debate was being had over on The Craic about what our (London Irish) best XV will be next season.  There was some consternation from various people that I had left out players who performed well for us this season.  For me we will be looking at something along the lines of

15. Tom Homer
14. Topsy Ojo
13. Eoin Griffin
12. Eamonn Sheridan
11. Andrew Fenby
10. Shane Geraghty
9. Tomas O'Leary

1. Tom Court
2. David Paice
3. Geoff Cross (Halani Aulika)
4. George Skivington
5. Sean Cox
6. Ofisa Treviranus/Dan Leo
7. Blair Cowan
8. Luke Narraway/Tom Guest

I would like to see Gerard Ellis and Tom Fowlie given enough game time to stake a genuine claims for the 2 and 13 jerseys respectively, as both have massive potential and could go on to have good international careers if managed properly.

I agree almost entirely with this selection. If Aulika returns at his best though I think he will be ahead of Cross. As pointed out further on, Low is a favourite of Smith and Delaney and BS has always liked his big 6s/3rd second row types so I wonder if that 6 shirt will be more of a contest between Low and Leo in a lot of games. As you say, hopefully we will be able to employ more of a horses for courses selection, which is great considering where we have been over the past few years.

BS also said he hoped Noakes would have the same impact as Evans (I did cringe a bit at that one) has had at Quins so I imagine he will be fighting very hard with Shane for the 10 shirt.

I just feel that technically Cross is better at the prop basics, and if he can give us that set piece platform early in games we stand a better chance.  If we can get that and then bring Halani off the bench in the final quarter he could have a massive impact for us.  Noakes is an interesting one.  i like the look of him, but I suspect that Shane will start the season at 10 (barring injury).  He finished last season strongly, and hopefully he will start next season in similar fashion.  The good thing is that for the first time in about 5 years, we have genuine discussions in most positions about who should start, which means we are in a much better place depth wise.

HongKongCherry wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:It's difficult to give the Glaws XV with so many new additions, but on paper it looks like:
1. Wood
2. Hibbard
3. Afoa
4. Stooke
5. Galarza/Palmer/Hudson!
6. Kalamafoni/Savage
7. Kvesic
8. Morgan
9. Laidlaw/Robson
10. Hook
11. May
12. 36
13. Trinder
14. Sinbad/Sharples
15. Cook

Pack already looks like an upgrade all ready HKC, with the additions of Afoa and Hibbard. Should give you a better physical presence, and hopefully give you some front ball to get that exciting backline moving!

Do you think Savage is seem as a long term 6 then? Not lock?

He played more at 6 in the 2012/13 season and I think we missed his presence there last season when he mainly played at lock. I still think he has a future at lock, but the signings of Palmer and Galarza mean he's probably seen as a back row player.

He's got the attributes to play both positions I guess, so maybe he'll make the transition back into the second row later in his career. I'm a big fan.

Gloucester seem to rate him too, what with giving him the captaincy in 2013/14. I wonder if he'll be given it again?

Ozzy3213 wrote:
I just feel that technically Cross is better at the prop basics, and if he can give us that set piece platform early in games we stand a better chance.  If we can get that and then bring Halani off the bench in the final quarter he could have a massive impact for us.  Noakes is an interesting one.  i like the look of him, but I suspect that Shane will start the season at 10 (barring injury).  He finished last season strongly, and hopefully he will start next season in similar fashion.  The good thing is that for the first time in about 5 years, we have genuine discussions in most positions about who should start, which means we are in a much better place depth wise.

You may be right, although I think that because of his try scoring prowess people under-estimate just how good a scrummager he was for us last season. Not to mention the fact that he makes a huge difference to our driving game and is also fantastic at winning turnovers. Having said that, Cross looked very good against Argentina and impressed me in the loose more than I thought he would. It should be a great battle for that shirt :good luck: .

GeordieFalcon wrote:HKC,

Do you not forsee Jacob Rowan challenging Kvesic for that 7 spot? He's a cracking player!! A hell of a signing.

I sincerely hope so! I'm a big fan of Rowan's and was forever teasing snowmonkey we'd nab him and it only took 5 years! With Hazell retiring we needed another viable option at 7 and he more than covers that base.  I expect Kvesic to be the starting 7, but can imagine he'll be pushed all the way.

bluestonevedder wrote:

He's got the attributes to play both positions I guess, so maybe he'll make the transition back into the second row later in his career. I'm a big fan.

Gloucester seem to rate him too, what with giving him the captaincy in 2013/14. I wonder if he'll be given it again?

Savage's work ethic is fantastic for such a young player and he is clearly well liked amongst the squad.  Nevertheless, I doubt he'll get the captaincy next season.  I think it was probably too much too soon and he needs to nail down a place first.  36 did very well in his absence and I expect him to be given the captaincy, but I have no doubt Savage will in time become our captain.

Leinster

1. Cian Healy
2. Séan Cronin
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Kane Douglas
6. Rhys Ruddock
7. Séan O'Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Eoin Reddan
10. Jimmy Gopperth/Ian Madigan (looks like Gopperth has the jersey for now but hopefully Madigan kicks on next season)
11. Dave Kearney/Luke Fitzgerald/Zane Kirchner (depending on fitness,form etc.. it's a very open position)
12. Gordon D'Arcy/Noel Reid
13. Brendan Macken/Gordon D'Arcy
14. Fergus McFadden
15. Rob Kearney

The centres are a strange one,I wouldn't be surprised to see D'Arcy finish his career at 13 as the other options don't convince while we have guys who can do a decent job at 12.

A stab at a Bath team:

Clearly there is a big question mark over Burgess and how he fits into the squad, but apart from his arrival and Bendy's departure, I expect the match day squad to be pretty similar to last year, i.e:

1.James
2.Webber
3.Wilson
4.Attwood
5.Hooper/Garvey (if Burgess is at 6)
6.Garvey/Burgess
7.Louw
8.Houston/Fearns
9.Young/Stringer
10.Ford
11.Agulla/Banners/Watson
12.Devoto/Eastmond/Burgess (again who knows?!)
13.JJ
14.Roko
15.Arscott/Watson

If Burgess does end up at 6, that could be a huge 4-8 for Bath. It could be a make or break season for Eastmond in many ways, Devoto is coming up fast on the inside and offers a far more traditional 10/12 type of option.

Edit: I forgot about Arscott, his arrival will probably mean Watson will be on the wing for the most part.

Bathman_in_London wrote:A stab at a Bath team:

Clearly there is a big question mark over Burgess and how he fits into the squad, but apart from his arrival and Bendy's departure, I expect the match day squad to be pretty similar to last year, i.e:

1.James
2.Webber
3.Wilson
4.Attwood
5.Hooper/Garvey (if Burgess is at 6)
6.Garvey/Burgess
7.Louw
8.Houston/Fearns
9.Young/Stringer
10.Ford
11.Agulla/Banners
12.Devoto/Eastmond/Burgess (again who knows?!)
13.JJ
14.Roko
15.Watson

If Burgess does end up at 6, that could be a huge 4-8 for Bath. It could be a make or break season for Eastmond in many ways, Devoto is coming up fast on the inside and offers a far more traditional 10/12 type of option.

With or without Burgess, that is a monstrous pack. Adding Burgess onto the flank pushes it into the 'ridiculous' bracket.

6. Burgess
7. Louw
8. Fearns

...would be a barnstorming backrow!

bluestonevedder wrote:

Bathman_in_London wrote:A stab at a Bath team:

Clearly there is a big question mark over Burgess and how he fits into the squad, but apart from his arrival and Bendy's departure, I expect the match day squad to be pretty similar to last year, i.e:

1.James
2.Webber
3.Wilson
4.Attwood
5.Hooper/Garvey (if Burgess is at 6)
6.Garvey/Burgess
7.Louw
8.Houston/Fearns
9.Young/Stringer
10.Ford
11.Agulla/Banners
12.Devoto/Eastmond/Burgess (again who knows?!)
13.JJ
14.Roko
15.Watson

If Burgess does end up at 6, that could be a huge 4-8 for Bath. It could be a make or break season for Eastmond in many ways, Devoto is coming up fast on the inside and offers a far more traditional 10/12 type of option.

With or without Burgess, that is a monstrous pack. Adding Burgess onto the flank pushes it into the 'ridiculous' bracket.

6. Burgess
7. Louw
8. Fearns

...would be a barnstorming backrow!

Add Shiells to share gametime with a now mid-30s James on the loosehead side and that's a hell of a lot of quality in that pack.

Speaking of the ladyparts of the east and the great dodgers of the soap in the west, I would like to see the following (it's not what the coaches will do, though):
 
A. Edinburgh:
 
1. Berghan 2. Ford 3. Nel 4. Gilchrist 5. Bresler 6. Coman 7. Du Preez 8. Denton
 
9. Hart 10. Heathcote 11. Visser 12. Scott 13. Fife 14. Farndale 15. Tonks
 
B. Glasgow:
 
1. Grant 2. Hall 3. Cusack 4. Gray 5. Nakarawa 6. Harley 7. Fusaro 8. Strauss
 
9. Matawalu 10. Russell 11. DTH 12. Dunbar 13. Bennett 14. Maitland 15. Hogg
 
Edinburgh should be much improved over last season. They still need to confirm that Bresler is signed, but that should be a done deal. I hear from good sources that Berghan is going to be a very good signing.
 
Glasgow need Cusack back quite badly. Either that, or they need to sign someone just as good in the summer and there aren't many of those around. As FES says, it's mad that we have to leave players as good as Seymour, Horne, Weir, Murchie and Pyrgos (all full caps) out of a starting line up. And this is before Carlin '10.18' Isles gets his first game time this season.

Bathman_in_London wrote:A stab at a Bath team:

Clearly there is a big question mark over Burgess and how he fits into the squad, but apart from his arrival and Bendy's departure, I expect the match day squad to be pretty similar to last year, i.e:

1.James
2.Webber
3.Wilson
4.Attwood
5.Hooper/Garvey (if Burgess is at 6)
6.Garvey/Burgess
7.Louw
8.Houston/Fearns
9.Young/Stringer
10.Ford
11.Agulla/Banners/Watson
12.Devoto/Eastmond/Burgess (again who knows?!)
13.JJ
14.Roko
15.Arscott/Watson

If Burgess does end up at 6, that could be a huge 4-8 for Bath. It could be a make or break season for Eastmond in many ways, Devoto is coming up fast on the inside and offers a far more traditional 10/12 type of option.

Edit: I forgot about Arscott, his arrival will probably mean Watson will be on the wing for the most part.

That looks a rubbish side   

I really don't like seeing strong Bath sides, but I have to say you arguably have the biggest pack in the Jeff now and that alone will win the bulk of games for you. It pains me to say it, but I fully expect you to finish in the top 4 next season.

HongKongCherry wrote:

Bathman_in_London wrote:A stab at a Bath team:

Clearly there is a big question mark over Burgess and how he fits into the squad, but apart from his arrival and Bendy's departure, I expect the match day squad to be pretty similar to last year, i.e:

1.James
2.Webber
3.Wilson
4.Attwood
5.Hooper/Garvey (if Burgess is at 6)
6.Garvey/Burgess
7.Louw
8.Houston/Fearns
9.Young/Stringer
10.Ford
11.Agulla/Banners/Watson
12.Devoto/Eastmond/Burgess (again who knows?!)
13.JJ
14.Roko
15.Arscott/Watson

If Burgess does end up at 6, that could be a huge 4-8 for Bath. It could be a make or break season for Eastmond in many ways, Devoto is coming up fast on the inside and offers a far more traditional 10/12 type of option.

Edit: I forgot about Arscott, his arrival will probably mean Watson will be on the wing for the most part.

That looks a rubbish side   

I really don't like seeing strong Bath sides, but I have to say you arguably have the biggest pack in the Jeff now and that alone will win the bulk of games for you.  It pains me to say it, but I fully expect you to finish in the top 4 next season.

With a pack that size, it might even be a one-sided affair if the WC derby escalates into fisty-cuffs!

After the fire works of last season I don't think anybody will want to miss the West Country Derby next season. Considering the teams likely to be on show it should be one hell of a game.

But hopefully the proper team wins this time!

I'd like the same intensity as the last game, just a bit more controlled! Hopefully it's not a game that coincides with an international match.

bluestonevedder wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:

Bathman_in_London wrote:A stab at a Bath team:

Clearly there is a big question mark over Burgess and how he fits into the squad, but apart from his arrival and Bendy's departure, I expect the match day squad to be pretty similar to last year, i.e:

1.James
2.Webber
3.Wilson
4.Attwood
5.Hooper/Garvey (if Burgess is at 6)
6.Garvey/Burgess
7.Louw
8.Houston/Fearns
9.Young/Stringer
10.Ford
11.Agulla/Banners/Watson
12.Devoto/Eastmond/Burgess (again who knows?!)
13.JJ
14.Roko
15.Arscott/Watson

If Burgess does end up at 6, that could be a huge 4-8 for Bath. It could be a make or break season for Eastmond in many ways, Devoto is coming up fast on the inside and offers a far more traditional 10/12 type of option.

Edit: I forgot about Arscott, his arrival will probably mean Watson will be on the wing for the most part.

That looks a rubbish side  :roll: 

I really don't like seeing strong Bath sides, but I have to say you arguably have the biggest pack in the Jeff now and that alone will win the bulk of games for you.  It pains me to say it, but I fully expect you to finish in the top 4 next season.

With a pack that size, it might even be a one-sided affair if the WC derby escalates into fisty-cuffs!

I doubt that will happen, the last one was pretty quiet and well behaved......

To be honest HKC, you might have the upper hand this season, the Bath team will be the same plus a (very large) rookie, whereas the Glaws team looks a lot stronger.

There's probably less chance of handbags now your two angry scrum halves have gone too!

propdavid_london wrote:For Quins at the moment I think it will be -
Marler
Ward Gray
K.Sinkler
Robson
C.Matthews
Wallace
Robshaw
Easter
Care
N.Evans
U.Monye
JTH
Casson Hopper Tikirutuma
M.Yarde
M.Brown

Expect guys like - Grey, Buchanan, Collier, Lowe (if fit), to really be pushing for 1st choice.  
Ross Chisholm, Chalie Walker, Jack Clifford etc.

Damn that team looks weak in some positions!

Not sure about 13, think Hopper will start there for us if fit (?) Also unless his lineout has come on over preseason I think Gray will take back the starting shirt from Ward (wrongly to my mind). Also it'll be interesting to see what happens with Monye and Williams, CoS has shown a lot of faith towards them and I'm not sure if he'll just drop them, but at the same time I don't think either should be starting and I'd take Williams over Monye if I had to pick one.

Edit forgot Tikirutuama, I can't see him starting but think he could end up being our best 13 option if he brings his power game.

I really like Walker think not this season coming up but the season after will be his break out season.

 Shame Tigers let him go due to schools.

To be fair to him last season, before injury, Walker had looked class for us. One missed tackle on North aside he held up really well. Shame wing is the one area that we do have a lot of depth, but I still hope to see him get a fair few games in the Prem at least.