Players that have piqued my interest ...

[Scrumhead]

There’s a few players that have caught my eye in the last few weeks that I don’t know a great deal about. I’d be curious to get some board wisdom:

Lewis Ludlow

I liked the look of Ludlow in his cameos last season but Ackermann looks like he’s really bringing the best out of him. He looks more of a workhorse 6 than a 7 to me, but seems to be a good all-rounder and it’s definitely fair to say he’s one of the form back rowers in the AP right now.

Jake Polledri

I didn’t see Polledri play for Hartpury but his stats were really eye catching and I can see why Gloucester felt he was capable of making the step up. He’s physical and combative as well as having a good turn of pace and cut a lovely line for his try this weekend. I believe he qualifies for Italy through his dad but is he tied to them or not?

Sam Skinner

He’s been around a while but seems to have been overshadowed by Simmonds, Armand etc. I’ve been impressed whenever I have watched either at 6 or in the second row. Is he just a squad player doing an above average job or someone to keep more of an eye on?

Tom Hudson

He’s only a couple of games in but given the dearth of good EQ fullbacks, he looks like he could be one to watch. He looks solid in defence/under a high ball and good in attack from what I’ve seen.

Jack Singleton

I (along with a good few people on this board) was irritated when Singleton was called-up to the Argentina tour. After watching him in the U20s, I thought his lineout throwing was poor and his ability in the loose was nothing to write home about. This season, I’ve been really impressed. He’s playing with real maturity and seems to have improved almost every aspect of his game.

Will Rowlands

He’s probably had more game time this season as a result of injuries, but I’ve been really impressed by him when I’ve seen Wasps play. As a huge, imposing lock with a good engine, I think he could get better and better.

What is the general consensus on these guys? Anyone who has piqued your interest?

[Mellsblue]

I haven’t seen much of them. I think Ludlow a decent Prem player. Skinner looked very good on Saturday and is certainly a huge step on Jonny Hill, aka the blond Charlie Mathews. I’ve liked Rowlands for a while but at his age he needs to be cementing a first team place ASAP.

[twitchy]

Just reading up on polledri and although he played for italy u20's it looks like he wants to play for england.

[Gloskarlos]

Polledri and Ludlow have both been fantastic, two MotM for Jake, Ludlow tops all tackle charts and has an immense engine.

2nd in the table for glos is beyond all expectations, many of us now daring to believe top 6 is achievable with a slim outside chance of playoffs (I don't see the latter myself). Impressed by Ackerman, we have a very solid defence but can mix it up in attack, fitness is better than ever and attitude is that of Gloucester sides in the late 90's, pride is back.

There's also a full XV of injured players to come back, most at the start of the season would be considered starters.....

Happy days are back

[fivepointer]

All good players who have shown promise. Definitely worth keeping an eye on all of them.

Skinner is an interesting one. Converted back rower, who has good hands, a bit of pace and now some added bulk. Delighted Polledri has had a chance and taken it. Players can go from NL1 to the Premiership.

Only seen Jonah Holmes twice now but I like what i see of him. Ben Vellacot looks incredibly sharp whenever i've seen him.

[Scrumhead]

I haven’t seen much of them. I think Ludlow a decent Prem player. Skinner looked very good on Saturday and is certainly a huge step on Jonny Hill, aka the blond Charlie Mathews. I’ve liked Rowlands for a while but at his age he needs to be cementing a first team place ASAP.

A bit harsh on Hill. I think he’s had a very good season so far.

Dare I say it, so has Charlie Matthews. Speaking as a Quins season ticket holder, he’s not my favourite player but he’s been genuinely quite good recently.

Rowlands is a slightly unusual case. I don’t recall the specifics, but I seem to remember he completed a degree at Oxford or Cambridge before committing to a pro rugby career. I think he’s probably leapfrogged Symons now.

[Raggs]

Rowlands was in the Wasps academy whilst completing his degree/masters, think this season or last was his first as a full professional, he's definitely showing a lot of promise.

[Mellsblue]

Didn’t realise that re Rowlands. Kudos to the man. When I win the euro millions and plough a load of wonga in to Bedford, all the players will have a degree or some form of post playing qualification by their mid-twenties.

[Tigersman]

There’s a few players that have caught my eye in the last few weeks that I don’t know a great deal about. I’d be curious to get some board wisdom:

Lewis Ludlow

I liked the look of Ludlow in his cameos last season but Ackermann looks like he’s really bringing the best out of him. He looks more of a workhorse 6 than a 7 to me, but seems to be a good all-rounder and it’s definitely fair to say he’s one of the form back rowers in the AP right now.

Jake Polledri

I didn’t see Polledri play for Hartpury but his stats were really eye catching and I can see why Gloucester felt he was capable of making the step up. He’s physical and combative as well as having a good turn of pace and cut a lovely line for his try this weekend. I believe he qualifies for Italy through his dad but is he tied to them or not?

Sam Skinner

He’s been around a while but seems to have been overshadowed by Simmonds, Armand etc. I’ve been impressed whenever I have watched either at 6 or in the second row. Is he just a squad player doing an above average job or someone to keep more of an eye on?

Tom Hudson

He’s only a couple of games in but given the dearth of good EQ fullbacks, he looks like he could be one to watch. He looks solid in defence/under a high ball and good in attack from what I’ve seen.

Jack Singleton

I (along with a good few people on this board) was irritated when Singleton was called-up to the Argentina tour. After watching him in the U20s, I thought his lineout throwing was poor and his ability in the loose was nothing to write home about. This season, I’ve been really impressed. He’s playing with real maturity and seems to have improved almost every aspect of his game.

Will Rowlands

He’s probably had more game time this season as a result of injuries, but I’ve been really impressed by him when I’ve seen Wasps play. As a huge, imposing lock with a good engine, I think he could get better and better.

What is the general consensus on these guys? Anyone who has piqued your interest?

Agree with all of these. Remarkable story for Hudson was retired not that long ago due to an injury that kept him out for 4 years at Tigers academy, but a treatment in Malaysia whilst helping out at Tigers partner club Kuala Lumpur Tigers Gave him a second chance and he has taken it big time.

The two glous flanks have certainly been impressive wonder how they will work with Kriel likely to be coming in.

[Puja]

Jack Singleton

I (along with a good few people on this board) was irritated when Singleton was called-up to the Argentina tour. After watching him in the U20s, I thought his lineout throwing was poor and his ability in the loose was nothing to write home about. This season, I’ve been really impressed. He’s playing with real maturity and seems to have improved almost every aspect of his game.

Definitely agreed on Singleton. I watched him vs the Barbarians and it was painful how badly he was out of his depth. Adding that to the fact that he rode pine for 160 minutes in the summer despite Hartley looking knackered and he had a fairly rude awakening to the top level. Since then, however, he's absolutely flourished. I can only think that the summer hurt him and showed him how far there was to go, so he rolled up his sleeves and went at it in pre-season.

I would genuinely have him as third hooker for England right now, which is testament to his workrate.

Puja

[Digby]

3rd hooker? Okay one might right now have him ahead of the injured Taylor, but ahead of LCD, George,Tom Youngs, Dunn, and the fat lazy bastard Jones picks?

[TheNomad]

What about James Short? He's a really good player now

[Digby]

What about James Short? He's a really good player now

Like Woodburn he's got to push past Nowell, Roko, Wade to even have a chance of getting at the shirts currently with Daly and May, and if Brown continues at 15 they've got to get past Watson too. So Short looks a nice enough club player without perhaps offering more, and we've younger lads like Earle and Cockanasiga coming through now as well so it's not getting easier for Short

[TheNomad]

Tricky to argue that. He's 28 as well, which I hadn't realised

[Mellsblue]

What about James Short? He's a really good player now

Like Woodburn he's got to push past Nowell, Roko, Wade to even have a chance of getting at the shirts currently with Daly and May, and if Brown continues at 15 they've got to get past Watson too. So Short looks a nice enough club player without perhaps offering more, and we've younger lads like Earle and Cockanasiga coming through now as well so it's not getting easier for Short

So, in short, are you saying you think he’ll struggle to make the EPS?

[Stom]

What about Lang? Hadn't seen much of him, and as I'm not getting to watch much this season either I don't know what he's really like. But seemed to do a good job at 12, and now at 10...

[Scrumhead]

3rd hooker? Okay one might right now have him ahead of the injured Taylor, but ahead of LCD, George,Tom Youngs, Dunn, and the fat lazy bastard Jones picks?

I don’t think Singleton is 3rd choice, but as I said in the OP, he’s improved massively in a short space of time.

If everyone was fit, I’d have him at about 6th choice (behind George, Hartley, LCD, Taylor and Dunn). However, if I were picking s Saxons squad now, he’d definitely be heading the queue.

Re. Short, I think it’s fair to say he’s already an established player. It’s good to have him back, but I don’t think we’re going to find out anything new.

Lang is worth keeping an eye on, but he’s only a couple of games in, so it’s harder to judge right now.

[Puja]

3rd hooker? Okay one might right now have him ahead of the injured Taylor, but ahead of LCD, George,Tom Youngs, Dunn, and the fat lazy bastard Jones picks?

LCD's a special case, because he's been out so long and he needs to get back up to speed, but I'd have Singleton ahead of Youngs and Dunn. Great basics, good in the loose, decent turn of pace - what's not to like? Not sure I really get the Dunn love affair anyway.

What about Lang? Hadn't seen much of him, and as I'm not getting to watch much this season either I don't know what he's really like. But seemed to do a good job at 12, and now at 10...

I thought he was Scottish - am I confused?

Puja

[Digby]

What about James Short? He's a really good player now

Like Woodburn he's got to push past Nowell, Roko, Wade to even have a chance of getting at the shirts currently with Daly and May, and if Brown continues at 15 they've got to get past Watson too. So Short looks a nice enough club player without perhaps offering more, and we've younger lads like Earle and Cockanasiga coming through now as well so it's not getting easier for Short

So, in short, are you saying you think he’ll struggle to make the EPS?

My brevity knows no bounds

[Scrumhead]

3rd hooker? Okay one might right now have him ahead of the injured Taylor, but ahead of LCD, George,Tom Youngs, Dunn, and the fat lazy bastard Jones picks?

LCD's a special case, because he's been out so long and he needs to get back up to speed, but I'd have Singleton ahead of Youngs and Dunn. Great basics, good in the loose, decent turn of pace - what's not to like? Not sure I really get the Dunn love affair anyway.

What about Lang? Hadn't seen much of him, and as I'm not getting to watch much this season either I don't know what he's really like. But seemed to do a good job at 12, and now at 10...

I thought he was Scottish - am I confused?

Puja

AFAIK Lang is English born but Scottish qualified. I don’t think he is currently tied to the Scots? (a little like Vellacott).

[Scrumhead]

Did a quick Google search.

Essentially I was right - born in Ashford, Middlesex. He’s Scots qualified and played for them at U18 level which wouldn’t disqualify him from England if he’s ever good enough.

https://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/h ... ames-lang/

[TheNomad]

Incidentally, I liked the look of Jonah Holmes, though he's obviously a long, long way back

[p/d]

What about James Short? He's a really good player now

Like Woodburn he's got to push past Nowell, Roko, Wade to even have a chance of getting at the shirts currently with Daly and May, and if Brown continues at 15 they've got to get past Watson too. So Short looks a nice enough club player without perhaps offering more, and we've younger lads like Earle and Cockanasiga coming through now as well so it's not getting easier for Short

Form wise reckon Woodburn currently a step above that lot (Daly aside)

Lad is on fire!!!

[Tigersman]

I bet Mr O'Shea will be trying to cap Polledri this six nations IMO.

[Digby]

What about James Short? He's a really good player now

Like Woodburn he's got to push past Nowell, Roko, Wade to even have a chance of getting at the shirts currently with Daly and May, and if Brown continues at 15 they've got to get past Watson too. So Short looks a nice enough club player without perhaps offering more, and we've younger lads like Earle and Cockanasiga coming through now as well so it's not getting easier for Short

Form wise reckon Woodburn currently a step above that lot (Daly aside)

Lad is on fire!!!

More chance of joining a Kings of Leon tribute band than the England side for the 6N