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Northampton Saints Thread

It's been said before but Pearson strikes me as more of a 6 (or even 8) than a 7 in the long run. Shouldn't have any issue getting him and Pollock in the same back row.
 
mkersyshull said:
Just looked on all.rugby (pinch of salt taken)
Pollock is listed as 100kg
Sam Cane 108kg
Ardie Savea 103kg
Not sure on their accuracy but probably not loads off, and at only 19 it shouldn't take too much extra to gain that weight.
The big question is with him and Pearson both being considered 'the next big thing' on the back row, how do we feet them both in?
Does one of them move to 6 or 8?
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I really wouldn't take too much notice over weights published. Just look at pictures of the three and you'll see the massive difference in mass between them all. I'd definitely move Pearson to 6 and pollock at 7 at some point but guess Pearson will be our first choice 7 this season.
 
I would like it if Pearson develops into an 8. From what I've seen his carrying is pretty good.
I do like a more rangey (lawes-esque) 6

Also missed Prowse at tighthead. That two 31 year old THs and two 23. As long as the youngsters are seen as adequate cover I think that's enough
With 2 pound LHs we need at least 2 others so would rather spend the cap there.
If possible get in an experienced head to try and train up the others
 
Am I missing anyone
Lockett stepping up to replace Moon
Pollock to replace Ludlam (is this too early and we should get someone in short term?)
Kemeny to replace Lawes

1. Iogen, Haffar
2.Langdon, S Matavesi, Cruise, Smith
3. (Hill) Davison, Millar-Mills, Nonleh, Prowse
4/5. Mayanavanua, Coles, Munga, Lockett
6. Scott-Young, Kemeny
7. Pearson, Pollock
8. Augustus, Graham

9. Mitchell, James, Braley
10. F Smith, Savala
12. Matavesi, Odendaal, Litchfield
13. Hutchinson , Freeman, Dingwall
11/14. O Sleightholme, Seabrook, Ramm
15. Furbank, Hendy
 
mkersyshull said:
Am I missing anyone
Lockett stepping up to replace Moon
Pollock to replace Ludlam (is this too early and we should get someone in short term?)
Kemeny to replace Lawes

1. Iogen, Haffar
2.Langdon, S Matavesi, Cruise, Smith
3. (Hill) Davison, Millar-Mills, Nonleh, Prowse
4/5. Mayanavanua, Coles, Munga, Lockett
6. Scott-Young, Kemeny
7. Pearson, Pollock
8. Augustus, Graham

9. Mitchell, James, Braley
10. F Smith, Savala
12. Matavesi, Odendaal, Litchfield
13. Hutchinson , Freeman, Dingwall
11/14. O Sleightholme, Seabrook, Ramm
15. Furbank, Hendy
Click to expand...
There is also George Patton at Loose head who's on loan with Bedford. But again he's a young player, we really could do with an old grizzled LH to help develop our young uns.

Also not sure how long Savala is here for, thought it was a season loan but wonder if we keep him as our back up FH. If Finn is with England more I wonder if we need to invest there a little bit more. And I think we need to add one more back row for the squad, someone that can cover two positions there.
 
Don't Skip Leg Day said:
There is also George Patton at Loose head who's on loan with Bedford. But again he's a young player, we really could do with an old grizzled LH to help develop our young uns.

Also not sure how long Savala is here for, thought it was a season loan but wonder if we keep him as our back up FH. If Finn is with England more I wonder if we need to invest there a little bit more. And I think we need to add one more back row for the squad, someone that can cover two positions there.
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If Patton is ready to be the 4th LH that would be great, then I agree with an experienced head.

If Savala is happy to be understudy I'd happily keep him longer (only 23 so has time to grow but also might want more game time)

Hopefully we can uncover another gem from a lower league (like we did Graham). I wouldn't mind a 7 (that can also play a bit of 8) to take some pressure off Pearson and Pollock who are both young
 
He looked good for the U20s
 
LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan) said:
If a U20 isn't good enough to be 4th choice then they prob need to drop a level
Click to expand...
Excessively harsh, especially for the front row.

Not every U20 is a future Prem regular; but U20 is WAY too early to be making that call.
In the front row, an U20 star should be 4th choice at best for their club (TBH, only an obvious star should be any further up the chain than 4th choice whilst playing U20). Many clubs will have 4 senior players in the specialist positions (front row & 9). An U20 might be behind 1-2 other academy kids in the same position, let alone 3-4 seniors.
 
Which Tyler said:
Excessively harsh, especially for the front row.

Not every U20 is a future Prem regular; but U20 is WAY too early to be making that call.
In the front row, an U20 star should be 4th choice at best for their club (TBH, only an obvious star should be any further up the chain than 4th choice whilst playing U20). Many clubs will have 4 senior players in the specialist positions (front row & 9). An U20 might be behind 1-2 other academy kids in the same position, let alone 3-4 seniors.
Click to expand...


How many 4th choice hookers in the league that isn't a U20 or hasn't been within the last 2 years like maybe Exeter?

Props I can agree with but Hooker is different
Even at Tigers you have FTT or Vanes at 4th choice
 
LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan) said:
How many 4th choice hookers in the league that isn't a U20 or hasn't been within the last 2 years like maybe Exeter?

Props I can agree with but Hooker is different
Even at Tigers you have FTT or Vanes at 4th choice
Click to expand...
Pretty big caveat there.

I can't answer the actual question for other clubs, but Bath's 4th and 5th choice hookers are 22 and 21.
When Stewart was 19 (benching for the U20s) he was 7th-ish choice
Also note - I didn't say that U20 can't be 4th choice, I said that "if they're not, then they're not good enough" is excessively harsh; so different point even without the caveat.

Also interesting that you allow for props, but not for hookers - are hookers less specialised than props? or is it that they take less force through their spine and pelvis during scrummaging? or something else I'm not thinking of?
 
mkersyshull said:
So Cruse going as well. That's 4 front rowers, quite a change there next season
www.northamptonsaints.co.uk

News // Tom Cruse calls time on professional rugby career

The 35-year-old hooker will close out a nine-season career in the Gallagher Premiership at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
www.northamptonsaints.co.uk www.northamptonsaints.co.uk

Is Craig Wright (Eng U20) ready to step up as 4th choice?
Click to expand...

It'll be Mission: Impossible to replace him, although I'm sure Saints will have A Few Good Men to choose from provided they don't have their Eyes Wide Shut - they won't want any Mavericks.

Sorry, but someone had to.
 
Confirmed leavers then:

Alex Waller
Ethan Waller
Tom Cruise
Paul Hill
Alex Moon
Courtney Lawes
Lewis Ludlum

That's a core of experienced players there but I do think that those front row players all need upgrades who are a bit bigger and nastier. Lawes and Ludders will almost be impossible to replace.

Big changes at the saints and only Lawes replacement announced so far (although expect Lockett to replace Moon).
 
Which Tyler said:
Pretty big caveat there.

I can't answer the actual question for other clubs, but Bath's 4th and 5th choice hookers are 22 and 21.
When Stewart was 19 (benching for the U20s) he was 7th-ish choice
Also note - I didn't say that U20 can't be 4th choice, I said that "if they're not, then they're not good enough" is excessively harsh; so different point even without the caveat.

Also interesting that you allow for props, but not for hookers - are hookers less specialised than props? or is it that they take less force through their spine and pelvis during scrummaging? or something else I'm not thinking of?
Click to expand...

What was he last season though?

It might be harsh but he's 21 next season not 19

Less force through the spine and pelvis, reason why a lot more slight built hookers and hookers that thrive at a earlier age than props imo
 
Vieux Talonneur said:
Barring injury crises how much rugby do guys at that level actually play? Are they the 'professional trainers' we sometimes hear about?
Click to expand...
That's a good question.
Academy players and recent graduates look to play in the Championship or at BUCS if they are real young. But it looks like Exeter and Bath roll 4+ deep at prop with veterans.
 
die_mole said:
That's a good question.
Academy players and recent graduates look to play in the Championship or at BUCS if they are real young. But it looks like Exeter and Bath roll 4+ deep at prop with veterans.
Click to expand...
And herein lies an issue with rugby in England.
Too many squad players costing money and also restricting their development.
Hopefully, the strict cap of 35 + 12 will mean more academy players will move onto Championship and strengthen those teams for an overall better product, hence getting more TV money and better chance of creating proper promotion and relegation.
 
higgik said:
Hopefully, the strict cap of 35 + 12 will mean more academy players will move onto Championship and strengthen those teams for an overall better product, hence getting more TV money and better chance of creating proper promotion and relegation.
Click to expand...
and then never come back?

You're more likely to see players drop out and never return, and senior players brought in from abroad, tbh - at the moment academy players go out on loan to champ/nat league sides but still train with the main squad so can step up
Look at Asher stepping up when we had injuries to Schonert and Harper - would he even still be at Sale if we had such strict numbers seeing as we had two senior tightheads and Harper as the transitional one between senior/academy
 
TRF_Olyy said:
and then never come back?

You're more likely to see players drop out and never return, and senior players brought in from abroad, tbh - at the moment academy players go out on loan to champ/nat league sides but still train with the main squad so can step up
Look at Asher stepping up when we had injuries to Schonert and Harper - would he even still be at Sale if we had such strict numbers seeing as we had two senior tightheads and Harper as the transitional one between senior/academy
Click to expand...
Pretty much this
 

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