Pre Season

[watsonjm]

I was thinking about this earlier,

If my memory serves, we should have the most complete squad at pre season we've had in years? With only Cole away with the Lions and the England/Wales/South Sea Island tours over by the end of June we should have pretty much everyone (Extreme circumstances for the Young's brothers accepted) back and raring to go.

Am sure there will be a Visa issue somewhere along to the line but otherwise we should be good!

[Iain]

The England contingent will be rested further - I'm not sure I'd expect to see them feature in the pre-season games. But yes, far less disruption than usual.

[chewbacca]

Be handy if we could go into pre-season with our centres fit although there have been some suggestions that Manu is not going to be ready

[Roly]

Be handy if we could go into pre-season with our centres fit although there have been some suggestions that Manu is not going to be ready

I'd be surprised if he ever returned for any length of time and when/if he does, that he retains anything like his pre-groin injury form.

[Iain]

Manu is apparently touch and go for the start of the season.

Roly, Manu was getting towards pre-groin injury form before his knee went. As it's an unfortunate unrelated injury to his previous ones there is nothing to suggest he can't be back to where he was.

[Noddy555]

Very disappointed with the quality of the pre season opposition. I shan't be attending the Treviso match so my first match will probably be the Ospreys game, At least they have improved this season.

[sapajo]

Be handy if we could go into pre-season with our centres fit although there have been some suggestions that Manu is not going to be ready

According to MOC in the Rugby Paper stated that "Manu is nearing a return from injury and should complete a full preseason and then play in the friendlies at the end of August".

[KevinR]

If you look at the Matt Hampson promo photo last week, Manu was in training kit and boots.

[RagingBull]

From what i gather Manu should get a full pre-season under his belt this year.

But who knows.

[chewbacca]

According to MOC in the Rugby Paper stated that "Manu is nearing a return from injury and should complete a full preseason and then play in the friendlies at the end of August".

Good news indeed. I can't wait to see Ford, Toomua and Tuilagi together

[strawclearer]

If you look at the Matt Hampson promo photo last week, Manu was in training kit and boots.

I'm sitting in the back garden in swimming trunks with my feet in the grandkids' paddling pool sipping a G&T but it doesn't mean I'm ready to take on Michael Phelps!

[TigerCam]

Very disappointed with the quality of the pre season opposition. I shan't be attending the Treviso match so my first match will probably be the Ospreys game, At least they have improved this season.

Enlighten me Noddy555? Is the Treviso game away? If so when?

[TigerintheCatStand]

Manu is apparently touch and go for the start of the season.

Roly, Manu was getting towards pre-groin injury form before his knee went. As it's an unfortunate unrelated injury to his previous ones there is nothing to suggest he can't be back to where he was.

Alas Manu was nowhere near his pre-groin injury form and you'd be well placed to count more than a handful of broken tackles in his appearances last season. The jury is still out as to whether he will get back there. Fingers crossed he will.

[Roly]

Manu is apparently touch and go for the start of the season.

Roly, Manu was getting towards pre-groin injury form before his knee went. As it's an unfortunate unrelated injury to his previous ones there is nothing to suggest he can't be back to where he was.

Alas Manu was nowhere near his pre-groin injury form and you'd be well placed to count more than a handful of broken tackles in his appearances last season. The jury is still out as to whether he will get back there. Fingers crossed he will.

Thank goodness you said that, I thought I'd been watching a different player for a minute.

[Hot_Charlie]

If you look at the Matt Hampson promo photo last week, Manu was in training kit and boots.

I'm sitting in the back garden in swimming trunks with my feet in the grandkids' paddling pool sipping a G&T but it doesn't mean I'm ready to take on Michael Phelps!

During a training session it would be odd for a player to be in full training kit with boots on (and no "non contact bib" as apparently sported by Maxine Mermoz in the same photo) if they were taken a reasonably full part.

I did wonder if MOC was going to do a Cockers and casually name him at 23 on Saturday at 4pm.