The 2014/15 pre-season general news/discussion thread

[goodNumber10]

The sad thing is that Ospreys team isn't far off full strength...

Here's the depth chart:
1. Ryan Bevington/Duncan Jones/>>Nicky Smith (youngster)/Bunch of youngsters
2. Scott Baldwin/>>Sam Parry (youngster)/Matthew Dwyer (journeyman)/Meh
3. Aaron Jarvis/Dmitri Arhip/>>>>>Bunch of youngsters and journeymen
4. Lloyd Peers/James King?>>>Bunch of youngsters and journeymen
5. Alun Wyn Jones/>>>> Bunch of youngsters and journeymen

We really are scrapping the barrel now

In saying that there's no way that Ospreys are equal standing with Saracens anymore, maybe a couple of seasons ago but you guys have shot past us now. It's going to be a long season with our front five options now.

You also got pumped by Worcester last week as well... didn't even score a try, it's going to be a tough year for you.

 

[TheSaffycen]

From how it looks Spencer is going to be our number 2. He has alot going for him goal kicking, passing and he isn't a bad runner. Learning from De Kock and Wigglesworth isn't bad for a young scrum half, you can see Wigglesworth kicking game has influenced his style of play. I really like him, at age grade he was better than Robson so no reason why he shouldn't be England's number 9 for a few years too come.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

"Wrigglesworth"
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhg

 

[Geordie]

Saffycen,

Jaime George has struggled being behnd Brits and Smit, but i would love to see him nail that spot now. He has been potential for so long...and as you say a right big lump in the front row. Good players to learn off though.

Kruis looks a top player....he first came ti my attention in that Munster game when he played 6 and was just phenominal. I think he could challenge those you've listed. Him and Itoje could be your engine room in the next season or so and that would be an impressive powerful combo!

 

[Peat]

Barrington is a very good loosehead who's main ability is scrummaging, which is why i prefer him over Mako. George is an academy player with great set piece who will play for England in the next world cup possibly, Cowan-Dickie is more explosive than him but scrum time George is a big lump. Longbottom we just got from Western Force and i haven't seen play much, but did win some scrum penalties so not too shabby. Kruis is a brilliant lock with a bit of pace, might get caps for England in the future but he probably wont get past Lawes,Launchbury, Attwood,Slater but the depth we now have is pretty remarkable in the lock department.

I knew all of them but Longbottom - Kruis looks more likely to be international quality than George imo, but the quality levels in their respective departments means I'd agree on George getting further. I kinda wish Kruis had opted to play for Canada tbh, he deserves to play on the big stage, the tier 2 countries need players, and we don't really need players... he is very handy though, I'm slightly annoyed Sarries went out and got Jamilton as I thought it was the perfect time to show faith in Kruis and promote him in Borthwick's place. But there we go. I feel like that if Kruis gets a full season starting big games for Sarries, he'd put himself in the frame with those names, but there's no getting away from the fact that Lawes and Launch have established themselves. Does have a chance in that he's more of a 5 and Parling's getting on now though.

 

[TheSaffycen]

George at the beginning of last year was on fire and it really made Brits up his game too stay in the team. I was always annoyed at the Smit signing as it was only going too hinder George's chances of playing. But now I think he is a very rounded player who I would be happy to have starting if Brits is out, Spurling is also looking handy.
On Kruis he is brilliant, I think he will take over captaincy in the next few years, he Is very athletic and can play 4 or 6. Itoje is the step above and i think he will probably go to 6 as he said in the past he prefers the back row. Our academy is chucking out some great talent in the next couple of years our pack could be
1.Vunipola 2.George 3.Figallo 4.Kruis 5.Itoje 6.Wray 7.Fraser 8.Vunipola
apart from tighthead all english, and 5 academy players.

 

[Geordie]

Saffy,

Itjoe playing 6 is good for England as we're missing an absolute beast who is still mobile...and he could be that answer...if he comes through of course

1.Vunipola 2.George 3.Figallo 4.Kruis 5.Itoje 6.Wray 7.Fraser 8.Vunipola
apart from tighthead all english, and 5 academy players.

Well technically speaking..yes

 

[Peat]

Kruis was born here and raised here; shouldn't be bolded with the Vunipolas there.

Sarries have taken their time promoting George (and Kruis); nothing against George, he's a decent player who could be very useful for England... but I am yet to look at him on a big stage and think "Wow, he has something outstanding to take to international level", while I've had that feeling with Kruis. That said, as you say, he is well rounded - big, mobile, technically competent - and he could go all the way. Certainly made the most of his chances last season its true.

While we're eulogising Sarries youngsters, its very encouraging to see good Tompkins involved already.

 

[welshglory]

I just watched Gloucester's game against Yorkshire Carnegie on the Gloucester youtube channel. Hook seemed to have a big impact when he came off the bench, hopefully it's a sign of things to come.

 

[Geordie]

Kruis was born here and raised here; shouldn't be bolded with the Vunipolas there

Ah didnt realise, ill take him off.

 

[goodNumber10]

I just watched Gloucester's game against Yorkshire Carnegie on the Gloucester youtube channel. Hook seemed to have a big impact when he came off the bench, hopefully it's a sign of things to come.

If it doesn't preload, jump to 5:27 and watch Hooks involvement in that whole sequence...

[video=youtube_share;33ofEqhlUg8]http://youtu.be/33ofEqhlUg8?t=5m27s[/video]

 

[TheSaffycen]

Some really incredible rugby. Still defence looks poor but it is only pre season and their maul looks very weak in attack and defence. Laidlaw and Hook will add a great kicking game and should be a really classy pairing, and should have a decent front row this year. On a side note the back row for Yorkshire looked really impressive.

 

[Geordie]

Leeds always have good teams the problem is they just get picked apart every summer.

Jakob Rowan the 7 who glos signed this summer was Leeds Captain for the last few seasons and is a real class act. If Kvesic doesnt sort his game out...he could very well find himself replaced by Rowan.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Jakob Rowan the 7 who glos signed this summer was Leeds Captain for the last few seasons and is a real class act. If Kvesic doesnt sort his game out...he could very well find himself replaced by Rowan.

Kvesic doesn't need to "sort his game out" the rest of the team do.

Burns and Twelvestrees have been doing a lot of stuff like that for the past couple of years, but only once or twice last season... the rest was dross.

 

[goodNumber10]

we really need to have a monthly no Kvesic Discussion day,

 

[ratsapprentice]

we really need to have a monthly no Kvesic Discussion day,

We will do until people go back and look at what he actually contributed last season!

 

[Geordie]

Ok im put in my place...i will review his season more cloasely...and watch him with interest this season.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Kvesic doesn't need to "sort his game out" the rest of the team do.

Burns and Twelvestrees have been doing a lot of stuff like that for the past couple of years, but only once or twice last season... the rest was dross.

Indeed he should be able too work off a great tight 5 this year, same for Morgan who was really over taken by Evans last year.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Morgan is to fat imo to be a starter..............

 

[TheSaffycen]

Comparing the packs next year (being a prop i'm boring like this) This is probably the first year when we(Saracens) might be able to take on the French !
Tigers 1.Ayerza 2.Youngs 3.Cole 4.Parling/Slater 5.Thorn 6.Croft 7.Salvi 8.Barbieri
16.Ghiraldini 17.Mulipola 18.Rizzo 19.Slater/Parling 20.Matera
There is no real weakness and the depth of the Tigers is incredible

Saracens 1.Vunipola 2.Brits 3.Figallo 4.Hargreaves 5.Kruis 6.Brown 7.Burger 8.Vunipola
16.George 17.Barrington 18.Longbottom 19.Hamilton 20.Fraser
Again a really strong pack and very good depth

Saints 1.Corbisiero 2.Hartley 3.Ma'Afu 4.Lawes 5.Manoa 6.Clark 7.Wood 8.Dickinson
16.Haywood 17.Waller 18.Mercey 19.Day 20.Dowson
Northampton's back row is hard working but not really world class, Clark is poor and Dickinson is a good carrier but not much else.

Glos 1.Wood 2.Hibbard 3.Afoa 4.Galarza 5.Stooke 6.Kalamafoni 7.Kvesic 8.Morgan
16.Dawidiuk 17.Not Sure 18.Puafisi 19.Savage 20.Evans
Front row depth is really bad, locks is good and back row isn't bad.

Bath 1.James 2.Webber 3.Wilson 4.Attwood 5.Garvey 6.Fearns 7.Louw 8.Houston/Burgess
16.Batty 17.Catt 18.Thomas 19.Hooper 20.Fa'Osiliva
Really i just went for a bigger pack but jesus christ it's around 950kgs !!