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#Post#: 157909--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gray Returns, Ferguson Departs & Jones Commits
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: October 1, 2026, 1:12 am
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I like Joe Gray. Seem to remember he could actually throw
straight? I don't know what resources he had to work with at the
Exiles so cannot really pass judgement.
As for Adam Jones (who I have packed down with btw) Quinky is
right. He was on an open ended contract and I note that there is
no mention of the Contract Renewal Term.
Smacks of trying to cover up losing Ferguson by issueing a non
news story.
As for both Gray and Jones, is it that you can't make a silk
purse from a sows ear or killing the golden goose? (Other animal
related metaphors are available).
#Post#: 157911--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gray Returns, Ferguson Departs & Jones Commits
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: October 1, 2026, 1:40 am
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We had a lot of props reliably doing worse with us than they did
with other clubs or national sides
#Post#: 157913--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gray Returns, Ferguson Departs & Jones Commits
DIR By: A222Quin
Date: October 1, 2026, 1:57 am
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Yes, all quite underwhelming really and the timing is pretty
awful.
#Post#: 157917--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gray Returns, Ferguson Departs & Jones Commits
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: October 1, 2026, 3:17 am
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I imagine Joe was a fairly cheap and easy option with his
location, plus the media spin will be he's "One of us who knows
the DNA of the club"...
Considering our set piece is comfortably in the bottom third for
its effectiveness, we will soon see if he's any good.
#Post#: 157918--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gray Returns, Ferguson Departs & Jones Commits
DIR By: A222Quin
Date: October 1, 2026, 3:21 am
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Unless I'm missing something, Joe won't be doing any set piece
coaching?
#Post#: 157920--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gray Returns, Ferguson Departs & Jones Commits
DIR By: FromSurrey
Date: October 1, 2026, 3:25 am
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Jones cannot make a silk purse from a sows ear
The props we have are simple never going to dominate in the
scrum
#Post#: 157921--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gray Returns, Ferguson Departs & Jones Commits
DIR By: A222Quin
Date: October 1, 2026, 3:35 am
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--- Quote from: FromSurrey link ---
>
> Jones cannot make a silk purse from a sows ear
> The props we have are simple never going to dominate in the
scrum
>
--- End Quote ---
Yes, our recruitment in that area has been more miss than hit.
If (big if) he has any influence in who comes in then that's
partially on him as well.
#Post#: 157922--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gray Returns, Ferguson Departs & Jones Commits
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: October 1, 2026, 3:37 am
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--- Quote from: A222Quin link ---
>
> Unless I'm missing something, Joe won't be doing any set piece
coaching?
>
--- End Quote ---
More in the broader sense of developing players as that's what
my understanding a transition coach is. Its a fairly key role
bridging the gap from academy to senior rugby, and being an ex
hooker i'd like to think he's going to take a bigger role in the
development of Staples which will be important as our line out
is fairly poor (Granted a line out is not just the hookers
involved) plus his input at scrumtime.
#Post#: 157924--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gray Returns, Ferguson Departs & Jones Commits
DIR By: FrostAndFire
Date: October 1, 2026, 4:44 am
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--- Quote from: Rugbycat link ---
>
> Argentina haven’t really had a dominant scrum for a number of
years
>
--- End Quote ---
Yeah, but we're also not needing people who can dominate at
international level. We need props who can hold their own in the
Prem. Argentina internationals *should* be able to do that. So
should Titi and Williams, who are both former internationals.
That so many of them aren't is a concern. Either we're terrible
at identifying good props to recruit, or we're not making the
most of them when they're here. I'm not saying Bomb is to blame.
I have no idea how much say he has on recruitment. But it does
suggest his reputation for being a brilliant scrum coach may not
be fully justified.
#Post#: 157926--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gray Returns, Ferguson Departs & Jones Commits
DIR By: Quinky
Date: October 1, 2026, 4:58 am
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--- Quote from: FrostAndFire link ---
>
> Yeah, but we're also not needing people who can dominate at
international level. We need props who can hold their own in the
Prem. Argentina internationals *should* be able to do that. So
should Titi and Williams, who are both former internationals.
That so many of them aren't is a concern. Either we're terrible
at identifying good props to recruit, or we're not making the
most of them when they're here. I'm not saying Bomb is to blame.
I have no idea how much say he has on recruitment. But it does
suggest his reputation for being a brilliant scrum coach may not
be fully justified.
>
--- End Quote ---
I asked a former international prop about how much of their
prowess is down to technique, power etc. The response was that
it makes a difference if you have a 20 stone lock, and a hefty
flanker behind you. We seem to have prioritised athleticism
since the days when Olly Kohn was in the engine room.
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