Starting XV next season

[baz1664]

Really want to see Mike Williams in at 6 or 8, his aggression and in your face way of playing is something tigers need, O'Connor at 7 is a given with what looks like Will Evans as a back up, Tom Youngs slots back in at Hooker and with McGuigan and Bateman as back up I am concerned that Harry Thacker may be left out in the cold, a decision on his best position really needs to be made, I think a 7 with the option of a back up Hooker role could be the way to go, abit of an utility forward.

[mightymouse]

The great thing about Genge is that finally we have a genuine loose head that can give Marcos a break instead of being flogged for 80 mins every game

[Roly]

Half backs aren't difficult to pick. Ben Youngs at scrum and then Burns or Williams at fly half. Sam Harrison is a very good player but Youngs is world class.

Oh dear lord.... Youngs is not world class.

[RagingBull]

Half backs aren't difficult to pick. Ben Youngs at scrum and then Burns or Williams at fly half. Sam Harrison is a very good player but Youngs is world class.

Oh dear lord.... Youngs is not world class.

Current form yes no where near World Class

But he has and could again be world class.

[Roly]

Half backs aren't difficult to pick. Ben Youngs at scrum and then Burns or Williams at fly half. Sam Harrison is a very good player but Youngs is world class.

Oh dear lord.... Youngs is not world class.

Current form yes no where near World Class

But he has and could again be world class.

I'd like to believe you, I really would....

[amazing tiger]

Everyone only remembers ben youngs bad games. He is a world class player and we are lucky enough to have him.

[Roly]

Everyone only remembers ben youngs bad games. He is a world class player and we are lucky enough to have him.

Yes.... I think we're in danger here of using the term 'world class' as loosely as some have accused those of using the word 'hero'.

[strawclearer]

Of course it's fun to pick a starting XV and bench but I'm not sure that properly reflects the concept of 'rotation'.

The 'old approach' was a 1st XV supported by a 2nd XV but maybe 'rotation' means, in effect, two 1st XV's where selection is determined by the current form of individuals; how certain players 'relate' to each other in games; the opposition's style/strengths & weaknesses; the conditions etc.

With an increasing number of matches; a (hopefully) increasing number of players required for international honours; and the inevitable injuries, this new 'rotation' is more likely to result in a '1st XV' taking the field each week rather than a motley collection of 'first-teamers plus reserves'.

With that in mind, what's the 'Best Available XXX' for next season?

1. Ayerza / Genge
2. Youngs / McGuigan
3. Cole / Mulipola
4. Slater / Fitzgerald
5. Barrow / Kitchener
6. Williams / Croft
7. O'Connor / Evans
8. Hamilton / McCaffrey
9. Youngs / Harrison
10. Burns / Williams
11. Betham / Brady
12. Toomua / Smith
13. Tuilagi / Catchpole
14. Pietersen / Thompstone
15. Veainu / Tait

..or maybe that really is simply a 1st XV / 2nd XV!

[RagingBull]

1. Ayerza / Genge
2. Youngs / McGuigan
3. Cole / Mulipola
4. Slater / Fitzgerald
5. Barrow / Kitchener
6. Williams / Croft
7. O'Connor / Evans
8. Hamilton / McCaffrey
9. Youngs / Harrison
10. Burns / Williams
11. Betham / Brady
12. Toomua / Smith
13. Tuilagi / Catchpole
14. Pietersen / Thompstone
15. Veainu / Tait

..or maybe that really is simply a 1st XV / 2nd XV!

Prob better way of looking at it.

Back row still looks unbalanced and i wonder if Croft and Fonua will both be off next season when contracts is over.

Whilst I wouldn't like to see Croft leave I do wonder if he fits our new style back row:
To me something like
6) Williams, Hamilton
7) O'Connor, Evans
8) Morgan/Beaumont, McCaffrey
looks far more balanced in view of 2017/18 season.

But I wouldn't complained if Croft stays and fits around the cap.

[strawclearer]

1. Ayerza / Genge
2. Youngs / McGuigan
3. Cole / Mulipola
4. Slater / Fitzgerald
5. Barrow / Kitchener
6. Williams / Croft
7. O'Connor / Evans
8. Hamilton / McCaffrey
9. Youngs / Harrison
10. Burns / Williams
11. Betham / Brady
12. Toomua / Smith
13. Tuilagi / Catchpole
14. Pietersen / Thompstone
15. Veainu / Tait

..or maybe that really is simply a 1st XV / 2nd XV!

Prob better way of looking at it.

Back row still looks unbalanced and i wonder if Croft and Fonua will both be off next season when contracts is over.

Whilst I wouldn't like to see Croft leave I do wonder if he fits our new style back row:
To me something like
6) Williams, Hamilton
7) O'Connor, Evans
8) Morgan/Beaumont, McCaffrey
looks far more balanced in view of 2017/18 season.

But I wouldn't complained if Croft stays and fits around the cap.

Yes - if you add a quality No.8 such as Morgan or Beaumont, the back row looks a whole lot better. TBH, I'm just as concerned with 12/13 and 15...

[RagingBull]

15 you can have
Veainu, Tait, JPP, Betham playing there.

I am assuming Worth will be brought up as well.

IMO need 1 more back 3 player in the backs.

Midfield if we where to get another back 3 player then Betham would prob be more likely to be free to play 13 if needs be same with JPP
12) Toomua, Smith, Roberts, Bryant,
13) Manu, Betham/JPP, Catchpole, Worth

Forwards we need:
Number 8 (Doubtful now and more quality 8's on the market potentially next season)
Beaumont
Morgan
Read (After lions is out of contract ATM, doubt he will be playing in 2019 RWC TBH).
Shame AB have noticed Quire as he is a beast as well.
So on.

Would say another lock as well maybe look for another Mafi type project,If not an academy project.

[strawclearer]

Forwards we need:
Number 8 (Doubtful now and more quality 8's on the market potentially next season)
Beaumont
Morgan
Read (After lions is out of contract ATM, doubt he will be playing in 2019 RWC TBH).
Shame AB have noticed Quire as he is a beast as well.
So on.

Would say another lock as well maybe look for another Mafi type project,If not an academy project.

The Lions Tour starts exactly one year from today! Read will probably lead them (injuries permitting) and he'll be 33 at the next RWC. I'd be surprised if he felt he wouldn't make that. (IIRC McCaw was 34 when he stopped?)

I assume you mean Liam Squire? (I know his brother Malevoi!)

Now Beaumont would be very interesting - as would Morgan. Both another year left on current contracts? Thinking outside the box (not that I know the inside or the outside or even where this box is) - has Barrow (6'7" / 19+ stone) ever played 8?

[wormus]

I assume you mean Liam Squire? (I know his brother Malevoi!)
[/quote]

Yes but his brother Malevoi is playing in the valleys @ Ospreys so you may renew you friendship at pre-season.

[Bowden Tiger]

I don't think we should underestimate Tom Croft. He has just completed a near injury free season, and will come back next season even fitter. I would have him in my 23 as he adds something different, special even, and has some years left if he keeps injury free!

[strawclearer]

I don't think we should underestimate Tom Croft. He has just completed a near injury free season, and will come back next season even fitter. I would have him in my 23 as he adds something different, special even, and has some years left if he keeps injury free!

Agreed. He's only 30 and he's spent a good proportion of the last 3 years with the physio. Probably got a couple of good years left if he stays injury-free. I think 'rotation' works best when you have 2 players genuinely competing for the starting shirt - like Croft and Williams.