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#Post#: 147430--------------------------------------------------
Re: Realistic transfer targets
DIR By: TomBuckQuin
Date: January 6, 2026, 11:37 am
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Not to rain on your parade but didn't Dewi Lake just sign for
Glaws?
#Post#: 147436--------------------------------------------------
Re: Realistic transfer targets
DIR By: The Kid
Date: January 6, 2026, 12:38 pm
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Yes he has, completely missed that about Lake. Would have been
perfect. I also had Warner Dearns down as the archetype for what
we need at lock but he's going back to NZ.
Hooker is one where the loss of Jibulu is keenly felt as he was
a perfect fit as an extra carrying option. The best ones all
offer something extra as a carrier or with extra mobility around
the park and / or as a jackal option (Marx and Marchand are like
second opensides) and we don't get any of that from any of our
options, although Turner is a good player.
I think our shopping list is something like:
- 2 x Tighthead locks (Dun + 1)
- Second legitimate international quality playmaker (Furbank)
- Starting Hooker (or rotational starter alongside turner)
- At least one, probably more senior ball carrying centres,
ideally one of who has wing / centre versatility if we want a
taller player for kick chase
- depth utility back who can cover 10 / 12 / 15.
#Post#: 147443--------------------------------------------------
Re: Realistic transfer targets
DIR By: KentQuin
Date: January 6, 2026, 3:46 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: The Kid link ---
>
> Playmaking is not talked about a lot but is the biggest change
the playing side has in front of it. Whilst the departure of
Esterhuizen is more maligned, the impact of not having Danny
Care at 9 is large if not larger and far more keenly felt. It
also directly affects how we use our centres.
>
> In the modern game you need two playmakers in a back line. At
Quins, this has been a 9 managing the game and 10 managing the
attack for 20 years from Gommers coming in to DC + Nev / Marcus.
It has consistently been this way basically since promotion back
to the prem. most top French sides also play like this. Think
Dupont / Ntamack and Lucu / Jalibert.
>
> For the first time in decades this isn't the case anymore, as
DC has gone and we haven't replaced him in kind (hard to do when
he is year to year, retires in March, and with only the top
French 9s such as Lucu, Le Garrec etc being comparable). This
has left us with one true out and out playmaker on the pitch in
Marcus, making us predictable and one dimensional.
>
> We have tried to get around this by playing benson and Jev at
12. However this comes at a direct cost of a more a ball
carrying 12. We could move Marcus to 15 and play benson there
but then our marquee player is out of position.
>
> Signing furbank to me implies we are making a change here and
committing to going to two playmakers at 10 and 15 rather than 9
and 10. In essence, Furbank replaces Care.
>
> The role of the 9 changes to focus on quickness of ball and
kicking to compete, with any two of Marcus, Furbank, Benson, and
Jarrod on the pitch at all times. This is a sensible decision as
it works with the depth players we have (and is "easier" for the
likes of Friday to adjust to) and what England are asking Marcus
to do as a hybrid 10 and 15 but is a huge change for the team to
manage in one season.
>
> This also opens up the option to play a ball carrier at 12, as
we won't be trying to house a second playmaker there just to
make things work at all. The person best suited to playing 12 in
this Quins team is not on the payroll currently, as we all know,
but having to play two tens at once removes this as an option
completely. It wouldn't surprise me if we brought in another
player who can play 10 and 15 for depth, especially if J Evans
leaves in summer.
>
> We won't find another Andre but am certain we can find a
player who can carry the ball, and the team forward if we
rebalance the play making elements in a way that makes everyone
more effective, rather than relying on one unique talent to make
it all work.
>
> I also think our approach to balancing the back five of the
pack is not compatible with how the backs are set up I think
this is what Laurie is referring to more than it is the front 5.
The scrum is the one thing on the men's playing side that still
works, so don't think front row - or at least prop - is seen as
an issue.
>
> For example, playing two sevens (kenners and WEV) is fun but
decadent. Neither is true gain line threat and this is
especially punitive when there are fewer big ball carriers in
the backs.
>
> This directly costs us another carrier in the pack meaning we
get a lot of turnover ball (and territory) but have no punch to
finish things. We could get away with this with Andre at 12 to
replace the carrying and dynamism of not playing a 6 but he was
a unique player and isn't replicable. A lot of our ills come
from a past reliance on our 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 to do something
magical rather than by design, and this is one of those things.
Not a sustainable approach.
>
> A better back 5 balance will be Dun, Petti, CCS, Kenningham,
Dombrandt with Wev, Treadwell, Carr and another large lock in
reserve. KT and Petti are not a pairing and should compete for
one shirt much like wev and kenners, so think we need one more
tight side lock at least. Launch and Lewies' race is run, so
some younger players here might be good. One of the Kpokus, or
Sodeke / Cuckson from the 20s perhaps?
>
> Of the players from Wales, Dewi Lake would be perfect at
Hooker (we can get far more out of this position than we
currently do) and Mason Grady as a crash centre / more physical
winger if the ospreys get killed off. Lake is a superb carrier
and would allow us to play two sevens on occasion. Grady is a
physical specimen whose offers the directness we lack, albeit
from 13. Both would upgrade us instantly.
>
--- End Quote ---
A good thought provoking post. I think playmaking has been
talked about less as it's the secondary issue, with the primary
issue being the gain line. I appreciate that a second playmaker
means the opposition defence has more to think about, but we've
been so short in terms of physicality and until that's fixed
it's going to be difficult to get our attacking game going,
whoever is in the backs and regardless of whether our second
playmaker is stationed at 12, 13 or 15.
Whichever way you cut it, due to recruitment and injuries we
simply don't have enough carriers in our matchday 15 or 23. It's
a team responsibility, and our summer recruitment needs to
prioritise this. We're definitely aligned on that, and Grady is
a good shout.
I don't agree with LD's assessment that the scrum is working and
prop isn't a priority. Sure, it's not a complete mess compared
to other areas, but in a few seasons its gone from being the
best in the league and an absolute weapon to mediocre. Tighthead
epitomes the decline in squad quality. The current crop don't
hold a candle to Sinckler, Louw and Collier (excluding Delgado
from this).
#Post#: 147444--------------------------------------------------
Re: Realistic transfer targets
DIR By: AAjnr
Date: January 6, 2026, 4:24 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: The Kid link ---
>
> I think our shopping list is something like:
>
> - 2 x Tighthead locks (Dun + 1)
> - Second legitimate international quality playmaker (Furbank)
> - Starting Hooker (or rotational starter alongside turner)
> - At least one, probably more senior ball carrying centres,
ideally one of who has wing / centre versatility if we want a
taller player for kick chase
> - depth utility back who can cover 10 / 12 / 15.
>
--- End Quote ---
Of this, I think sensible, shopping list, is there anyone from
the academy who might be ready to fill one of the roles in a few
years or a wider squad player who could be given trial minutes?
(E.g. could Slevin assist with the last role?)
#Post#: 147445--------------------------------------------------
Re: Realistic transfer targets
DIR By: SouthamQuin
Date: January 6, 2026, 4:31 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: The Kid link ---
>
> Yes he has, completely missed that about Lake. Would have been
perfect. I also had Warner Dearns down as the archetype for what
we need at lock but he's going back to NZ.
>
> Hooker is one where the loss of Jibulu is keenly felt as he
was a perfect fit as an extra carrying option. The best ones all
offer something extra as a carrier or with extra mobility around
the park and / or as a jackal option (Marx and Marchand are like
second opensides) and we don't get any of that from any of our
options, although Turner is a good player.
>
> I think our shopping list is something like:
>
> - 2 x Tighthead locks (Dun + 1)
> - Second legitimate international quality playmaker (Furbank)
> - Starting Hooker (or rotational starter alongside turner)
> - At least one, probably more senior ball carrying centres,
ideally one of who has wing / centre versatility if we want a
taller player for kick chase
> - depth utility back who can cover 10 / 12 / 15.
>
--- End Quote ---
This is a pretty spot on assessment for me, only addition would
be like Kentquin to disagree with LD about the scrum. Delgado
has made a promising if raw start, williams an able stop gap but
towards the end of his career and lamositele has well, fallen a
little flat. Bath have a glut even with du toit leaving, sela
probably an unlikely target but Archie Griffin would be handy. I
seem to remember Sinckler not having fond feelings for quins
when he left so I'd be surprised if a return was possible.
From other posts, Grady is an excellent suggestion, and if
Ospreys are soon to be no more then Owen Watkin would also be
worth a look.
For a tighthead lock, I wonder how long Tizard has at Sarries,
and if there was a way to tempt him back. Eliot Williams being
involved in the first team at 18 could be because of
promise/lack of options or a combination of both.
Hooker and 12 are the real head scratchers.
Depth utility back may be covered by slevin/bellamy?
#Post#: 147446--------------------------------------------------
Re: Realistic transfer targets
DIR By: dawson9
Date: January 6, 2026, 5:13 pm
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Bellamy has been absolutely class for scottish this season.
Mainly at 15 but a few games at 10 - hes a livewire with ball in
hand and running from deep. Has impressed me far more than
slevin ever did for us.
#Post#: 147447--------------------------------------------------
Re: Realistic transfer targets
DIR By: connaughtquin
Date: January 6, 2026, 11:43 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Quote from The Kid
Launch and Lewies' race is run, so some younger players here
might be good. One of the Kpokus, or Sodeke / Cuckson from the
20s perhaps?
HTML https://www.rugbypass.com/news/alex-sanderson-breaks-silence-on-junior-kpoku-move-with-one-setback/
#Post#: 147458--------------------------------------------------
Re: Realistic transfer targets
DIR By: Archquin
Date: January 7, 2026, 6:49 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: dawson9 link ---
>
> Bellamy has been absolutely class for scottish this season.
Mainly at 15 but a few games at 10 - hes a livewire with ball in
hand and running from deep. Has impressed me far more than
slevin ever did for us.
>
--- End Quote ---
Totally agree - Bellamy is a maverick and can make things
happen out of nowhere - hopefully one to step up to the
matchday squad sometime soon although Scottish will miss him....
#Post#: 147589--------------------------------------------------
Re: Realistic transfer targets
DIR By: Quinston Churchill
Date: January 9, 2026, 10:39 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I just read an article with Vern Cotter expressing an interest
in coaching in the Premiership.
His contract with the Blues finishes this summer and apparently
‘a couple’ of Premiership clubs have been in touch with him.
I hope we are one of them as that’s an appointment I could get
behind. OK, he’s 64, but he’s a highly experienced, elite coach
and has an interesting mix of being a no-nonsense character
whilst also coaching teams that play attacking rugby. That could
be a very good hire.
#Post#: 147590--------------------------------------------------
Re: Realistic transfer targets
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: January 9, 2026, 10:49 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Quinston Churchill link ---
>
> I just read an article with Vern Cotter expressing an interest
in coaching in the Premiership.
>
> His contract with the Blues finishes this summer and
apparently ‘a couple’ of Premiership clubs have been in touch
with him.
>
> I hope we are one of them as that’s an appointment I could get
behind. OK, he’s 64, but he’s a highly experienced, elite coach
and has an interesting mix of being a no-nonsense character
whilst also coaching teams that play attacking rugby. That could
be a very good hire.
>
--- End Quote ---
He could be a very good pick. I think he's a fairly straight
forward no-nonsense type and does seem to get the best out of
the players he has at his disposal.
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