2018-19 squad

[Baz]

WINGERS............4

CENTRES............5

FORWARDS........26!

A balanced squad?

[kpj tiger]

WINGERS............4

CENTRES............5

FORWARDS........26!

A balanced squad?

I'd say its fairly balanced due to the quality development backs coming through, I'd also say people used to complain when we prioritised backs over forwards

[ellis9]

WINGERS............4

CENTRES............5

FORWARDS........26!

A balanced squad?

Are scrum halves, fly halves and full backs not classed as backs anymore?

[Hot_Charlie]

WINGERS............4

CENTRES............5

FORWARDS........26!

A balanced squad?

Yep. You need a squad of approaching 50 players to compete in all our competitions. Seeing as forwards make over half the XV, and front rowers make up over 1/4 of a match day 23, it figures that the squad is forward heavy.

[Rugbyflanker]

5 centres?! Toomua,Tuilagi,Mackem,Eastmond,Tait,Smith off the top of my head,Worth and Hardwick too

[voice of the crumbie]

5 centres?! Toomua,Tuilagi,Mackem,Eastmond,Tait,Smith off the top of my head,Worth and Hardwick too

You forgot Thacker.

[WhitecapTiger]

5 centres?! Toomua,Tuilagi,Mackem,Eastmond,Tait,Smith off the top of my head,Worth and Hardwick too

You forgot Thacker.

And Gareth Owen

Mind you, Toomua is officially listed on the squad page as a Fly Half and Worth as a Full Back - preferred positions but clearly do/can play as centres.

Would also be fairer to compare total backs against total forwards rather than 4 (backs) positions against 8 (forwards) positions.

It would also be fairer to allow for a greater attrition rate, IMO, in the forwards - particularly the front row. Ma'afu is counted in squad but is clearly an injury dispensation for Genge who remains included in the numbers of forwards.

Fred Tuilagi is included in the list for forwards but will he get much Prem time? (not a 'should he' argument catalyst).

Aspland-Robinson (winger) in development squad brings the wingers up to 5. Veainu is listed as Full Back but I believe he prefers wing, certainly capable of playing there.

2 scrum halves listed in senior squad but clearly 2 in the development squad who will be seeing some time. Add Olowofela (Centre) and Hardwick (Fly Half but also Centre) from the development squad.

Suddenly it's a count of roughly 20 backs and 24 forwards (less one of Genge/Ma'afu and Tuilagi) with realistic game time in the Premiership prospects. There are other possibles that may float in and out of contention.

This is not including many of the forwards in the development squad who I don't think will see much senior game time - just my opinion.

Not really so imbalanced after all IMO, but then figures / stats can be used to support / denounce any argument / viewpoint.

*This doesn't include McMillan (Hooker) just revealed - even then, 20/25 split.... not an issue in my book.

I'm sure others can pick holes in this too.....

[voice of the crumbie]

5 centres?! Toomua,Tuilagi,Mackem,Eastmond,Tait,Smith off the top of my head,Worth and Hardwick too

You forgot Thacker.

And Gareth Owen

Mind you, Toomua is officially listed on the squad page as a Fly Half and Worth as a Full Back - preferred positions but clearly do/can play as centres.

Hasn't Olowefela also played 13?

[Hot_Charlie]

You forgot Thacker.

And Gareth Owen

Mind you, Toomua is officially listed on the squad page as a Fly Half and Worth as a Full Back - preferred positions but clearly do/can play as centres.

Hasn't Olowefela also played 13?

Yes. You've summed up the flaws in the original statistical analysis quite nicely.

[WhitecapTiger]

You forgot Thacker.

And Gareth Owen

Mind you, Toomua is officially listed on the squad page as a Fly Half and Worth as a Full Back - preferred positions but clearly do/can play as centres.

Hasn't Olowefela also played 13?

He's listed as a Centre on the Development squad page.

[Baz]

Of course they're classed as backs! No one is talking about "backs". I have long been concerned about the lack of attacking centres. If any of our better centres is injured, it has a devastating effect on our attacking capabilities. My comment was based upon the club's own designation of the positions of the players concerned (counting Gareth Owen as a centre!). Tait et al act as centres only when circumstances (usually bad) demand. Would anyone pretend that, under those circumstances, we have a penetrating attack?

[WhitecapTiger]

Of course they're classed as backs! No one is talking about "backs". I have long been concerned about the lack of attacking centres. If any of our better centres is injured, it has a devastating effect on our attacking capabilities. My comment was based upon the club's own designation of the positions of the players concerned (counting Gareth Owen as a centre!). Tait et al act as centres only when circumstances (usually bad) demand. Would anyone pretend that, under those circumstances, we have a penetrating attack?

Then why not say all that in your OP? Rather than just chucking some numbers down that don't really outline your concerns or your argument.

[Mark62]

That depends whether you call, Ford, Toomua, May, Tuilagi, Holmes, Eastman, Owen, Olowefea, Veianu, attacking players.

If the forwards give them enough front foot ball they will rip any team apart.

Old rugby saying, Forwards decide who wins matches, backs decide by how many.

[AngusMcCoatup]

That depends whether you call, Ford, Toomua, May, Tuilagi, Holmes, Eastman, Owen, Olowefea, Veianu, attacking players.

If the forwards give them enough front foot ball they will rip any team apart.

Old rugby saying, Forwards decide who wins matches, backs decide by how many.

Sorry but to me some of the Referees decide the result - the players by how many!
Remember Newcastle @ home and others!!

[Mark62]

That depends whether you call, Ford, Toomua, May, Tuilagi, Holmes, Eastman, Owen, Olowefea, Veianu, attacking players.

If the forwards give them enough front foot ball they will rip any team apart.

Old rugby saying, Forwards decide who wins matches, backs decide by how many.

Sorry but to me some of the Referees decide the result - the players by how many!
Remember Newcastle @ home and others!!

Only people responsible for that result were the players, take the ref out of the equation by not making errors and giving away stupid pens