I think therein lies the point. You fill the squad with superstars and they all go missing during Oct/Nov during AI’s and Feb/Mar during 6N. That doesn’t impact your Champions Cup games, but can be to the detriment of league form. There is a balance to be found between top tier players when can give you the edge in big games, mixed with those not quite on the international stage who can deliver all season long.RagingBull wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 12:43 pm But do big signings win the league?
Or does the overall squad quality win it?
Our likely best pack is Cronin, Montoya, Cole, Wells, Chessum, Liebenberg, Reffell, Wiese. Strong pack, but during AI’s we could/would lose as many as 5 of that pack, suddenly takes a different shape, especially when you think we could also lose Heyes and Henderson who would be next in line to take starting shirts. Dolly & Martin likewise have been in the mix.
That’s the price of success, it brings recognition for your players, great for them, not so much for the management trying to maintain momentum during international periods. That’s shown the benefit of having Cronin instead of Genge, also having Cole and Ford around consistently when they were out of favour with Jones. Liebenberg is a big asset for the same reason, he is every bit as good as any 6 in our league, but because he’s not on the Boks radar, it’s good for us. Exeter lost their way once their players all started getting international recognition. Sarries managed it for a while, but it would appear through underhand methods. Since coming back up, their squad looks very differently balanced, gone are the days of 4 internationals in Itoje, Kruis, Skelton and Isiekwe all battling for 2 second row slots, now it’s Itoje, Isiekwe, and two younger players in Hunter-Hill and Tizard. They’ve had to cut some big name finished article players in favour of players with potential.
Which brings us back to the additions made yesterday, no World Class players there, some very very astute additions, smart operators in areas of need that will give us the depth to really push for momentum all year round.
Hatherall looks a big abrasive back row player able to offer that dynamic game that we miss with Wiese away, much like Cracknell has shown of late. Shillcock classy operator from fullback who can also cover 10 very nicely, much like Hegarty did to good effect. Bassett is proven, works hard, good technical skills, and good gas to be a consistent try scorer. Don’t imagine any are on big wages, but add nicely to our pool.