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#Post#: 148694--------------------------------------------------
If i was in charge of this squad…
DIR By: West Stand Quin
Date: January 26, 2026, 4:56 pm
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Definitely/ probably leaving:
Lewies (Sharks)
Launch (retiring)
Turner (Newcastle RB)
Hyde (Ealing)
Not going to mention academy / young players.
If I was coming in as head coach / DOR I would be casting a
critical eye over established players and particularly those who
won’t be cheap but not performing.
Who I’d release (they are good players but I don’t consider
value for money) Some will be under contract so in the real
world they’re not leaving.
Chisholm - very good player, hasn’t been consistently fit for a
long time (his current long term absence aside it’s been ages
since a run of games.
Lawday - amazing servant to the club, good player who won’t let
you down but not 1st choice and so many young players in the
back row who represent better value
Walker - I’ve long been an advocate of him as think his set
piece is strong. Plus good leader. However anonymous in loose
play and you need much more from the modern hooker (disappointed
Turner hasn’t had the opportunity this year)
Els - lots of young props coming through
Kerrod - great he can play both sides (outstanding game in La
Rochelle) but again lots of young props coming through and he’s
not 1st choice when all fit)
Titi L - 1XV money and at best 3rd choice now
Max Green - was injury dispensation for Friday
J Evans - hard to justify international back up 10 who’s a good
player when Benson could do this job. Math Jones in academy is a
strong 10 prospect coming through
Northmore - great runner but now an international and not
justifying his (probably) reasonably high salary. Poor hands,
think there’s better value out there
David - great open field runner. However awful defender and weak
under high ball. Also not that quick
Isgro - supreme talent but after impressive opening few games
isn’t a consistent try scoring threat and prone to big mistakes.
Anderson - really don’t think he’s PREM level
Musk - if there’s academy players coming through I’d rather
academy than an older 3rd choice
Think this is where I’d clear out the squad because these
players aren’t providing value within the salary cap whether
they be high, mid or low earners
#Post#: 148698--------------------------------------------------
Re: If i was in charge of this squad…
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: January 27, 2026, 2:17 am
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Agree with all of those.
Northmore might unsettle a few but I think its the right call.
He's 28 now, almost 29 so unlikely to suddenly step up a gear,
and will be on a sizeable wedge - but the the output it's not
good enough and the money could be spent more wisely.
Isgro now he's had time to really show what he's about isn't the
right fit. You need solid dependable wingers to be sniffing
around the top, and he offers little after some initial promise.
I'd also add Cleaves in that category sadly.
#Post#: 148699--------------------------------------------------
Re: If i was in charge of this squad…
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: January 27, 2026, 3:04 am
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Shame about northmore, but after absolutely caning it in his
first couple of seasons with us he has dropped off a cliff. I
don't blame him for the disastrous outings at 12, but even at 13
he's been a long way off.
#Post#: 148700--------------------------------------------------
Re: If i was in charge of this squad…
DIR By: euroquin
Date: January 27, 2026, 3:09 am
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Isgro is a regular starter at the no. 6 ranked international
team. He's a good player. His inconsistent form for Quins
suggests a coaching problem...
#Post#: 148709--------------------------------------------------
Re: If i was in charge of this squad…
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: January 27, 2026, 4:34 am
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He's one of the few that I genuinely think has an attitude issue
which comes through with his seeming exaggeration of injuries,
which isn't great. And even before the current malaise, he was
turning the ball over a lot. He gets very high in the air but
drops it a huge amount and with ball in hand he is often guilty
of seeking contact and getting levelled.
And Argentina do have a bit of an attitude problem in general,
so I don't know if that's unique to us. They are a much better
side than they historically have been, but their mentality has
been awful at times in the last few years and they are fully
capable of imploding en masse, losing their heads, or just going
into one big collective sulk. Which is probably why a team that
is capable of beating SA & NZ is only ranked 6th. Fun to watch
though and outrageously talented.
#Post#: 148712--------------------------------------------------
Re: If i was in charge of this squad…
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: January 27, 2026, 5:01 am
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I'd like to see us sign some Fijians/Pacific islanders. Beasts
and would add the physicality we miss. You only need to look at
Bristol in particular to see how handy they can be.
#Post#: 148717--------------------------------------------------
Re: If i was in charge of this squad…
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: January 27, 2026, 6:42 am
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A lot depends on the contract lengths we are not going to be
buying people out of them, and the coaching team is in a death
spiral, so writing off some players may be premature.
Isgro and Northmore are both good players, the others I don’t
disagree with, Walker can at least throw in, which a number of
hookers seem to struggle with.
Changing the coaching setup is the most important thing at the
moment, and a proper inside centre, as that has been a huge
problem this year
The rest perhaps let the next DoR and head coach decide, on
retention and recruitment, fingers crossed that the powers that
be realise that not having a decent coaching setup since CoS
left needs rectifying.
#Post#: 148719--------------------------------------------------
Re: If i was in charge of this squad…
DIR By: AAjnr
Date: January 27, 2026, 7:11 am
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I agree with this all if one is taking the view of who needs to
be let go in the medium term, most ahead of 2026/27 and perhaps
just not including the others in planning for the future.
From then, we need to see more consistent top level play from
our current or new crop of hookers, SHs (I have faith in
Friday/Porter!), and then outside backs not named Beard and
Murley. Results having been so bad this year I hope the new DoR
gets as much leeway to change things as possible (inc. his
assistant coaches)
#Post#: 148720--------------------------------------------------
Re: If i was in charge of this squad…
DIR By: The Absolute Quintet
Date: January 27, 2026, 7:31 am
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Northmore is on a long poor run of form and low on confidence
probably because he was misused as the 12. I'd stick with him.
He's still our best creative 13 option. Good running lines and
ability to link up (when he doesn't drop it!).
Isgro showed some promise but agree with JG and would add that
he still attacks like the 7s player he was, as an individual,
searching for a line-break and then looks for contact when there
is no space. This doesn't work for him in 15s because he isn't
big and/or quick enough to break through tackles and he doesn't
have an offloading game when he's snaffled. Moreover and worse
for us, it's not how we need to play. Our attacking game is most
effective when the back three link up to create the line break.
No-one has a clue where Isgro is going when he's got the ball,
least of all him.
#Post#: 148724--------------------------------------------------
Re: If i was in charge of this squad…
DIR By: Quinky
Date: January 27, 2026, 8:31 am
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Back line:
Friday
Smith
Murley
Waghorn
Beard
Isgro
Green
Option if Bradley at 12
Cleaves at 14
Mostly home grown. Play them together, select consistently,
you'll have a superb backline
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