Team when our internationals are away

[Smurphswillgetya]

1. Stanko
2. Chuter
3. Brookes
4. Slater
5. R Andrew
6. Newby
7. Salvi
8. Crane
9. Harrison
10. Bowden
11. Benjamin
12. Forsyth
13. Matt Smith
14. Tait
15. Murphy

Subs:
??

With our Elite Squad, Saxons players and Castro, Ayerza, Mafi and Mulipola possibly missing as well would the above team be good enough to keep us in the hunt. A few injuries thrown in as well and we will have to dig deep. I hope people give a bit of leeway to the players and coaches during the season.

[BJ.]

I hope people give a bit of leeway to the players and coaches during the season.

You never know. I suppose there has to be a first time for everything.

[Isambard]

I don't care who is picked for the team so long as they play for the shirt and play for the full 80 minutes with the determination of winning and of scoring as many points as possible.

[tigerburnie]

Wonder when Rob Hawkins will be training again,we could certainly do with him fully fit.
Isn't Benjamin in the squad? Nial Morris has to figure somewhere too.

[Jay C]

Benjamin is in the Saxons so Niall Morris/Bubbles on the wing.

However, are the Saxons playing during the autumn internationals ?

If not, then you can add Deacs, Kitch, T Youngs, Benjamin & Ford into the mix.
Thompstone, de Carpentier, Mickey Young, Ben Woods and Rob Hawkins should be in the Tigers squad too.
Plus Allen will get released back to the club...

All in all, we can still put out a competitive 23 during the AIs.
6N will be tougher when Saxons play too (& we have to play Saffas & Quins) - long way off though !

Also agree we need some luck on the injury front....

[Nailsworthstiger]

You know what they say... success breeds success, so if we have a good start to the new season, then by the time the internationals come round, confidence will be high and we will be a match for anyone.

And with the season fixture list out now, we have a great chance to stamp our authority from the off.

[GT1]

Looks like we will be with out this international for longer than anticipated!
http://www.espnscrum.com/premiership-20 ... 66680.html

[BJ.]

Oh gollox!

[jgriffin]

Yes and look at the Tait quote - suddenly the pre-season has become the end of September. What are the odds of our worst prognostications becoming true - the announcement of his retirement then.

[sunbeamer]

With Ben Youngs out injured for some time,we have Sam Harrison and Mickey Young at scrum half but no cover in the event of injury.....that is unless I have overlooked somebody?

[CitizenSmiff]

From previous experience 'doing very well' does seem to be Cockers-speak for 'out for an entire season with a horrible injury'. It's going to be painful during the internationals this year to be sure, but we managed to weather a world cup last year and make it to the final.

[WhitecapTiger]

With Ben Youngs out injured for some time,we have Sam Harrison and Mickey Young at scrum half but no cover in the event of injury.....that is unless I have overlooked somebody?

I think Scott Steele is still with us (?) he got a bit (limited) game time last season, would he be ready to step up?

[sunbeamer]

With Ben Youngs out injured for some time,we have Sam Harrison and Mickey Young at scrum half but no cover in the event of injury.....that is unless I have overlooked somebody?

I think Scott Steele is still with us (?) he got a bit (limited) game time last season, would he be ready to step up?

Thanks Whitecaptiger - not inconceivable then that Scott Steele will be called into action....

[Dr H Flashman MBE]

Yes and look at the Tait quote - suddenly the pre-season has become the end of September. What are the odds of our worst prognostications becoming true - the announcement of his retirement then.

If Tait comes back then it will be like a new signing. Glad we are not rushing him back, that would do no good and he would end up injured again. I think Crane, likewise will be like a new player. We always get depleted during the 6n and AI's so its nothing that we are not prepared for. Its the injuries that you cant legislate for.

[jgriffin]

I guess I am suspicious, as we have had so many false dawns with Tait.