Northampton Saints 2017 - 2018

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Haywood is probably the best second choice hooker in the Premiership now Brits has left Saracens.

Surely whichever of Polota-Nau and Youngs doesn't start at Tigers is better.

 

[BPM]

Yeah - that's fair. Still, Haywood is a very good player to be a second choice. More than good enough to be first choice in several other Premiership teams I'd say.

 

[mkersyshull]

Saints list Emery as a SH; whilst Peters isn't on their list of players.

The only time I've seen Emery play is when he came on at 15 in the Anglo Welsh
Thought Peters was still about but must have been released. Here's an updated list (the only one I wasn't sure about was what Wallace's main position is, if anyone knows just say and I'll update it

1. Waller, Van Wyk, Davis, Trinder, Onojaife
2. Hartley, Haywood, Marshall, Fish, Ma'asi (Gray)
3. JFR, Franks, Hill, Painter
4/5. Lawes, Barrow, Ribbans, Api, Craig, Moon, Coles
6. Gibson, Wood, Ryan
7. Harrison, Brüssow, Ludlum, Wallace
8. Haskell, Eadie (Harrison)
9. Reinach, Mitchell, Davies, Emery, Tupai
10. Bigger, Grayson (Francis)
12. Francis, Symons, Strachan
13. Burrell, Hutchinson, Dingwell, Tuitivake
11/14. Pisi, Collins, Naiyaravoro, Kellaway, Sleightholme
15. Mallinder, Tulala, Furback, Worley

 

[Which Tyler]

I'll do my update in a couple of days - just want to see if there are any more announcements this weekend (eg Mercer to Leicester).
I've got Wallace at 8; but I can't remember if that's because I was told it, of for balance

 

[mkersyshull]

We seem to have a lot of scrum halves. But with some digging you find Emery plays 15 and Tupai is considered a utility back. At what point do these players need to be sticking to positions? We don't really want another Mallinder where is can take numerous seasons to get there

 

[Jonathan Gray]

Gonna be a long hard slog for saints this season I think I know i am saying this after 2 games but it seems to me the squad is lacking

 

[mkersyshull]

Just watching the saints extended highlights, I think when the systems click we'll do okay. It was nearly there yesterday. Top 6 I think is a reasonable goal. I do think we are weak at 13, Burrell has not started well. Who are our option there?

 

[BPM]

Dingwall is a very promising option at 13 but there isn't much depth there AFAIK.

 

[Which Tyler]

Follower the Exeter model, and put Mallinder there?

Yeah, I know he's going ok at FB. And looking better there than FH or IC (much like Slade).
He'd need to fix his defence though... Unlike his need at FB of course, where defence is optional... Ermmm...

 

[mkersyshull]

Not sure Mallinder has the pace for 13 to be honest

 

[mkersyshull]

Could Kellaway be a long term option at 13?
I've not seen much of him so this is completely based on size. He is 2 inches shorter than Rob Horne but 5kg (11 pounds) heavier

 

[mkersyshull]

Next years squad announced (not sure if I've got position exactly right, especially props). Any correction let me know

1. Waller, Van Wyk, Davis, Trinder, Iyogun
2. Hartley, Haywood, Marshall, Fish, Ma'asi
3. Franks, Hill, Painter,Franks, Garside, Hughes
4/5. Lawes, Ribbans, Api, Moon, Coles, Bean
6. Gibson, Wood,Ryan
7. Brüssow, Ludlum, Newman
8. Eadie, Harrison, Onojaife, Uru

9. Reinach, Mitchell, Taylor, Tupai
10. Bigger, Grayson, Freeman
12. Francis, Symons, Strachan, Bird-Tulloch
13. Hutchinson, Dingwell, Proctor
11/14. Collins, Naiyaravoro, Sleightholme, Gillespie, Olowofela
15. Mallinder, Tulala, Furback

Out: Burrell, Worley, JFR, Barrow, Kellaway, Tuitivake, Davies, Pisi, Craig, Emery, Haskell, Wallace

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Next years squad announced (not sure if I've got position exactly right, especially props). Any correction let me know

1. Waller, Van Wyk, Davis, Trinder, Iyogun
2. Hartley, Haywood, Marshall, Fish, Ma'asi
3. Franks, Hill, Painter,Franks, Garside, Hughes
4/5. Lawes, Ribbans, Api, Moon, Coles, Bean
6. Gibson, Wood,Ryan
7. Brüssow, Ludlum, Newman
8. Eadie, Harrison, Onojaife, Uru

9. Reinach, Mitchell, Taylor, Tupai
10. Bigger, Grayson, Freeman
12. Francis, Symons, Strachan, Bird-Tulloch
13. Hutchinson, Dingwell, Proctor
11/14. Collins, Naiyaravoro, Sleightholme, Gillespie, Olowofela
15. Mallinder, Tulala, Furback

Out: Burrell, Worley, JFR, Barrow, Kellaway, Tuitivake, Davies, Pisi, Craig, Emery, Haskell, Wallace

Looks right to me. I'm not sure if we may see Franks at loose head though and a Franks alright head but we shall see. We look like a top 4 team but not enough for the final though.

 

[BPM]

TBH, I'm surprised Saints haven't made more signings.

Proctor should be a good acquisition but there are some serious question marks on Hartley and Brussow's fitness.

On the other hand, Haywood and Mallinder will be like new signings if they can come back to fitness and form.

 

[mkersyshull]

TBH, I'm surprised Saints haven't made more signings.

Proctor should be a good acquisition but there are some serious question marks on Hartley and Brussow's fitness.

On the other hand, Haywood and Mallinder will be like new signings if they can come back to fitness and form.

As will Symons. A lot of youngsters coming in, just need to make sure we have that leadership in the big games

 

[sCriv]

TBH, I'm surprised Saints haven't made more signings.

Proctor should be a good acquisition but there are some serious question marks on Hartley and Brussow's fitness.

On the other hand, Haywood and Mallinder will be like new signings if they can come back to fitness and form.

Me too. We've promoted lots of promising academy players (The likes of Mitchell, Dingwall, Painter, etc) which is great, but I'd like to see a bit more ambition by bringing in a few seniors.
Proctor should be a good signing, and having both Franks brothers potentially in the scrum will be great - but I don't think it is going to be enough to improve upon this season, especially when you look at clubs around us who are spending big.

Haywood I'll welcome back with open arms, but I've never been a particular fan of Mallinder.

 

[BPM]

I think Mallinder will be a good player. It's a shame he's had so long out when he could have been developing nicely.