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#Post#: 40822--------------------------------------------------
Our squad for next season
DIR By: Fish Quin
Date: March 16, 2020, 5:25 am
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It looks like we’ll have no games to talk about for a while so I
thought it might be interesting to cast our thoughts forward to
next season.
As far as I can see Auterac, Sinckler and Robshaw are the
confirmed leavers so far. With Louw and Esterhuizen coming in
(and of course Ashton having already arrived). Are there any
other confirmed deals?
Here’s a breakdown of our squad and my thoughts.
Loosehead:
Current - Marler, Botta, Lambert,
I’m hoping Head is ready to step up to the first team squad as
4th choice. If Lambert is hanging up his boots he needs
replacing (anyone heard anything?), I would look for a top young
player to compete with Botta now and eventually replace Marler.
Hooker:
Current - Elia, Baldwin, Crumpton, Buchanan, Musk
I think this is one of our weaker areas and I would like to see
Buchanan and Crumpton both released (contract permitting) and a
quality signing brought in who can be 1st choice. The question
is, who is available? Musk stepping up to be 4th choice.
Tighthead:
Current - Louw, Collier, Kerrod, Swainston, Sasonne
This is an area I feel we lack strength in depth. I would look
to bring in a 2nd choice TH who can really compete with Louw and
release Swainston and Kerrod (contract permitting). We also have
a young lad coming through the academy who could be a bright
prospect for the future - Fin Baxter - anyone know anything?
2nd Row:
Current - Symons, Lewies, Cavubati, Young, Freeman, Tizard
We look stronger than in recent seasons. If someone top class is
available (like Nakarawa) we should go after them. Otherwise no
change.
Back row:
Current - Chisholm, Clifford, Dombrandt, Kunatani, Evans,
Lawday, Bothma, Lamb, White
I think we have great depth here and wouldn’t make any changes.
Bothma could be leaving? If he does I would replace him with a
cheap option, maybe an academy player but I don’t know who that
would be.
Scrum half:
Current - Care, Landajo, Saunders
Another problem area, Care and Landajo are both quite old and
Landajo hasn’t been great in my opinion. I think we need someone
now who can play backup to Care for a season and then replace
him long term.
Fly half:
Current - Smith, Lang, Herron
No changes.
Centre:
Current - Esterhuizen, Marchant, Tapuai, Saili, Lasike,
Campagnaro, Northmore
We look very strong here when everyone is fit. I’m hoping we can
free up some cap by releasing Saili and Tapuai.
Wing:
Current - Ashton, Earle, Ibitoye, Murley, Goneva, Ismael,
Another area of strength. Again, I would free up some cap space
by releasing Goneva and Ismael if possible (hopefully one year
contracts?)
Fullback:
Current - Brown, Morris, Chisholm, Lynagh
We are well stocked here in my opinion. Could Lynagh come good
over the next few seasons and be the long term replacement for
Brown?
What positions do you think we are weak or strong in?
Who would you like to see us sign (position or specific player)?
Which of our academy guys do you think can make the step up this
year or in the near future?
#Post#: 40825--------------------------------------------------
Re: Our squad for next season
DIR By: The Absolute Quintet
Date: March 16, 2020, 6:30 am
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LH - Lambo will surely retire - don't know about Head but we
need another LH
Hooker - Rob B will also retire me thinks, keep Crumpton or
replace, like Musk. Gray to stay?
TH - Kerrod has done well recently - keep. Swainston - release
2nd row - agree
Back row - Bothma's time is up. Must keep Semi, big impact when
allowed to play, which has not been enough
SH - new signing paramount as DC will run out of gas anytime
soon and Niall only a back up option
FH - agree but Lang more of a utility player, I prefer him at 12
or 13 to 10. Ideally a new 10 but we could survive without
Centre - Saili to be released for Esterhuizen. Agree Taps will
also go. I think we are one 12 and one 13 short, especially
given our history of breakages
Wing - think we are exposed here. Niki to go. Travis so so
disappointing and do we know for sure that Ashton is signed for
next? Gabs, mercurial. Murley good all round player but not
enough of a threat against the better teams in the bigger games.
Need to add quality here
FB - agree
Crucial areas to buy - LH, SH, 1 or 2 centres and a wing.
#Post#: 40826--------------------------------------------------
Re: Our squad for next season
DIR By: Fish Quin
Date: March 16, 2020, 6:35 am
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I had totally forgotten about Gray! How long is signed for? I
would let him go if we can.
I can see why you would want more centres given our current
predicament but with Lang and maybe even Herron able to cover
there, I think 2 would be excessive. We will have Marchant back
as well. I wouldn’t mind one squad filler though.
Edit: what about Penney? Is he just for this season?
#Post#: 40827--------------------------------------------------
Re: Our squad for next season
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: March 16, 2020, 6:39 am
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Penny returns to Falcons when they are promoted, I believe..
#Post#: 40828--------------------------------------------------
Re: Our squad for next season
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: March 16, 2020, 6:42 am
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Ashton's deal is through to the end of next season.
#Post#: 40829--------------------------------------------------
Re: Our squad for next season
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: March 16, 2020, 6:56 am
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I'd keep Crumpton if possible. He's been our best option when
fit. Suspect Buchanan will retire. Would happily keep Gray.
Kerrod I think has been decent and happily keep him.
I still think we're a bit light at 2nd row. Quality drops off
pretty quickly.
Can't see Bothma hanging around, and suspect White could be off
too as he never seems to be in contention.
Need a 9 coming through.
I'd like to keep Tapuai.
Could do with a 15 coming through to replace Mike long term
#Post#: 40836--------------------------------------------------
Re: Our squad for next season
DIR By: honkytonk
Date: March 16, 2020, 8:56 am
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My take
LH
Marler, Botta
Out Lambert, Auterac
In Linked with Jordan Els from Ealing. Im not sure Head is
still playing LH, seems to be playing HK much more recently.
Could do with another young LH to come in
HK
Ellia, Baldwin, Musk Riley (Academy)
Out Buchana, Crumpton, Gray.
Linked with Matt Cornish from Ealing. Happy with that.
TH
Collier, Louw, Kerrod. I like Kerrod, looks a good young player
Out Swainston, Sinckler, Sassone (Not sure Sassone will stay,
just a hunch i have)
In Craig Trenier from Ealing
LOCK
Lewies, Symons, Cavabatu, Lamb, Young, Tizard, Hammond (Both
Hammond and Tizard have been playing together from Eng U20s.
Look a good combination. Hammond more athletic, Tizard more the
"Muscle")
Out Freeman
In ** see below
BR
Dombrandt, Chisholm, Lawday, Evans, Clifford, White (sure he has
another year). Kenningham, James. Im a big fan of Kenningahm.
Him and Musk were the two that caught my eye for the A team.
Out Robshaw, Semi, Bothma
In ** I think this is where we might see a big name come in.
Someone who is comfortable playing LK or BR.
FH
Lang, Smith, Herron. All good there
SH
Care, Landajo, Saunders. Cant really see any change here. Care
and Landajo are both big earners I expect, not sure another big
name will come in until one of those goes. Could well both end
up leaving at the same time (end of next season)
Out
Wheeldon, Munro.
In Possible we may look to bring in another youngster, maybe
from the Champ
Centre
Taps, Estherhuizen. Marchant, Lasike, Northmore, Anyanwu, Barlow
(although he is also a winger). Campagnero (Doubt we will see
him much though) Lang can also do the bizz here. Pretty well
stocked here. Could possibly let Taps go but I think he is a
good player
Out
Sailli, Penney.
Wing
Gabs, Earle (hopefully, although I do wonder), Ashton, Murley,
Barlow
Out Goneva and Ismael (although I suspect Ismael may have
another year)
In None unless Earle leaves.
FB
Brown, Chisholm, Morris, Lynagh, Ashton can also play here.
Not sure we will see much change here. Cant see a big name
coming in until Brown goes.
#Post#: 40837--------------------------------------------------
Re: Our squad for next season
DIR By: Fish Quin
Date: March 16, 2020, 9:09 am
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Honkytonk, a very interesting take. I remember us being linked
to that Ealing trio earlier in the season but nothing since. Do
you think the moves are still on?
If it were to play out like that, the outgoings would surely
outweigh the incomings in terms of salary. Obviously some
current players will get wage hikes but I would imagine there
would be cap to play with. Do you think there would be scope for
another big signing? And if so, what position(s) do you think it
would be best spent on?
#Post#: 40839--------------------------------------------------
Re: Our squad for next season
DIR By: honkytonk
Date: March 16, 2020, 9:25 am
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No idea in terms of inside info if those moves are still on, but
I have seen it mentioned in a couple of places. If they are
not, I would expect similar type players though. Both the props
(along with Louw) seem to have good reputations as scrummagers,
which I am happy about.
In terms of cap space, I would guess we would have a decent bit
left but where to spend is tricky. LH, SH and FB are 3
positions that I think the current first choice (Marler, Care
and Brown) are sorted, the quality after is so so (although LH I
would be happy to have Marler, Botta, Els and a promising
youngster). Problem is, I dont see a big name player coming in
to sit behind Brown and Care, and salary wise, are Care and
Brown too big earners not to be starting (if that makes sense).
HK I am happy with, Ellia and Musk have been excellent, Cornish,
if he comes would be a welcome addition. I would not want
another big name coming in and limiting their game time (Elli
and Musk have thrived because of their game time). Baldwin is
the issue as I would guess he is another big earner but not
currently earning his corn.
If I was to say where would another big name be best spent on, I
would like a top class 9, just not sure that will happen while
Care is around.
#Post#: 40850--------------------------------------------------
Re: Our squad for next season
DIR By: Quinky
Date: March 16, 2020, 1:02 pm
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For me, a scrum half would be welcome. If we have space under
the salary cap, do all we can to keep Semi. We could offload a
hooker or two, as they surely can't all break next season?
Centres are well stocked. Sailli will go I think, and maybe Taps
- great player, but we can't have loads of centres (we're not
Sarries). Taps isn't getting much game time and we need to be
giving game time to the younger guys to develop.
Bothma will go, I think, and probably Ismael. In terms of game
time, they're not getting many minutes (none in Bothma's case).
Unlike some, I'm happy with Murley. Deceptively strong and reads
the game well, always looking for work, and seems to be a
nuisance to the oppo with ball in hand.
Possibly lock is an area to shore up, but I'd hate to think that
we were looking to sign players for the sake of it, if they
don't bring something to the squad or if they won't get game
time.
Biggest imperative for me - KEEP SEMI!!!
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