Vive la revolution!

[Epaminondas Pules]

So, post the RWC; or Monday as it is otherwise known, what's the future?

There will inevitably be retirements from international rugby, maybe some pushed aside, and some new blood along the way.

Pretending Stunningly Boring bites the bullet and goes all shake n' vac, what's your squad look like?

Nobody over 30, 36 players + 3 apprentices. Who is in, who is out? And why have you picked Farrell as captain? Ah, the Ice Man has no age!

3 x LH
3 x Hooker
3 x TH
4 x Lock
6 x Backrow
3 x SH
3 x FH
4 x Centre
6 x Back three
+ 1 anywhere
3 x apprentice

[Epaminondas Pules]

LH:
Ellis Genge
Bevan Rodd
Fin Baxter

Hooker:
Sam Riley
Theo Dan
Jamie Blamire

TH:
Will Stuart
Joe Heyes
James Harper

Lock:
Maro Itoje - Captain
Ollie Chessum
George Martin
Hugh Tizzard

Backrow:
Tom Curry
Ben Curry
Jack Willis
Tom Willis
Ben Earl
Zac Mercer

SH:
Raffi Quirke
Alex Mitchell
JVP

FH:
Marcus Smith
Fin Smith
Orlando Bailey

Centre:
Joe Marchant
Ollie Lawrence
Seb Atkinson
Dan Kelly

Back Three:
Henry Arundell
Freddie Steward
Cadan Murley
OHC
Anthony Watson
Will Joseph (might not get away with that, but he has played wing..... )

+1:
Alfie Barbeary

Apprentices:
Ben Redshaw
Archie MacParland
Henry Pollock

I've probably forgotten a fuck tonne of players.

[p/d]

justice4freeman

[Banquo]

Freeman has to be somewhere?

[Puja]

Okay, this is a fun game. I've probably missed about a dozen obvious names though.

Front row:
Genge and Stuart get in, but with an admonition to pull their socks up. Frankly, there's not that many options. Rodd appears to be our loosehead future and Heyes our tighthead future just on sheer inertia, although I really want the latter to seriously kick on this season before I get too excited. I'm hoping Haffar and Afolabi get gametime enough to be pushing for the third spot on each side, or at least to bring them in as apprentices.

On hooker, Dan, Blamire, Blake.

Lock's not going to be too much of a change: Itoje, Chessum, Martin all meeting criteria before we start. 4th spot open for the likes of Tizzard, Chessum the Taller, Munga, et al to compete for.

Back row is easier as well. TCurry, Pearson, Ludlam, Earl, TWillis and one of likely Mercer, BCurry, or the unlikely longshot of Barbeary remaining fit. I'd probably give the extra squad place to a back row, tbh.

Scrum-half - If we assume JVP is out, then Mitchell, Quirke, and AN Other. Depends who starts the season well really.

Fly-half: MSmith, FSmith... CAtkinson, maybe? Cupboard's a bit bare behind the current three and Fin.

Centre: No Marchant for the moment, so we'll give SAtkinson/Kelly a try at 12 and Lawrence/WJoseph the reins at 13.

Back Three: Arundell and Steward at 15 (in that order, if we're starting afresh), which leaves Watson, Murley, OHC, and Freeman on the wing. Wouldn't be suprised to see Malins in the squad - I think he's drastically underrated on here and will be having a lot of fun at Brizzle.

Apprentices: Afolabi probably more likely to fit in here, as is Chessum the Taller. Ollie Hartley would benefit from time in camp as well and is someone with a big future ahead of him.


Puja

[Mellsblue]

So, post the RWC; or Monday as it is otherwise known, what's the future?

There will inevitably be retirements from international rugby, maybe some pushed aside, and some new blood along the way.

Pretending Stunningly Boring bites the bullet and goes all shake n' vac, what's your squad look like?

Nobody over 30, 36 players + 3 apprentices. Who is in, who is out? And why have you picked Farrell as captain? Ah, the Ice Man has no age!

3 x LH
3 x Hooker
3 x TH
4 x Lock
6 x Backrow
3 x SH
3 x FH
4 x Centre
6 x Back three
+ 1 anywhere
3 x apprentice

It finished for me 30mins into the Japan match…

[p/d]

Hoping Langdon can join LCD and Dan for the 2 berth.

[jngf]

If the RFU get off their high horse about picking overseas players, I would say there has to be a place for Sam Simmonds even if it’s at 12 or 13 ? Jack Willis and also Sam Underhill if fit - rather have all of them ahead of Pearson, B Curry or Mercer as things stand

Lawes ( with exception of replacing Itoje at lock for 6 Nations opener ), Farrell, Cole, Youngs, May, Billy all given their RFU gold plated retirement clocks … and add Sweeney to that list

[Banquo]

If the RFU get off their high horse about picking overseas players, I would say there has to be a place for Sam Simmonds even if it’s at 12 or 13 ? Jack Willis and also Sam Underhill if fit - rather have all of them ahead of Pearson, B Curry or Mercer as things stand

Lawes ( with exception of replacing Itoje at lock for 6 Nations opener ), Farrell, Cole, Youngs, May, Billy all given their RFU gold plated retirement clocks … and add Sweeney to that list

bot

[Oakboy]

I wonder if SB WILL go 'revolution' rather than 'evolution'. The question should be asked, "How valuable are OUR experienced players?"

My answer would be not very in most cases. In fact, some would be counter-productive.

[Puja]

I wonder if SB WILL go 'revolution' rather than 'evolution'. The question should be asked, "How valuable are OUR experienced players?"

My answer would be not very in most cases. In fact, some would be counter-productive.

There's a few that I'd keep. George has value around the squad, and Sinckler should get in on the principle of who the fuck else is there. It's not like the RWC squad is particularly old tbh or that we're talking about a mass exodus. Mostly the halfbacks.

Puja

[Epaminondas Pules]

justice4freeman

I fucking knew there was someone I missed!! Shit biscuits!

[Beasties]

Tom West at LH, given VRR will be too old now.

[Beasties]

justice4freeman

I fucking knew there was someone I missed!! Shit biscuits!

We missed a huge trick by not trying him at FB at all. Vying with Arundell for the FB slot will liberate our backline options after the WC’s over.

[Banquo]

I don't think B Curry is a write off just yet. How bout Chandler Cunningham-South

[Stom]

I don't think B Curry is a write off just yet. How bout Chandler Cunningham-South

Will he get into the Quins backrow?

What about Kenningham? I wouldn't completely write off Dombrandt yet.

[Oakboy]

Fisilau?

[fivepointer]

Joe Carpenter is one to look at. Still think Fraser Dingwall has a lot to offer, Ted Hill and Alex Coles likewise. Will Porter will do well at Quins and should be on the radar.
Hooker is a real issue. I thought Blamire had something but SB seemingly doesnt. Sam Riley has promise but hasnt really got going.
Could do with a few young props making headway. Phil Brantingham at Newcastle maybe, or Fin Baxter or James Harper.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Baxter has come on leaps and bounds in the tight. Big season for him this. Brantingham starting to make some headway. Was very good in the PRC.

[FKAS]

LH - Genge, Rodd, West - I mean that's looking pretty weak after Genge.
TH - Stuart, Heyes, Painter - again quite weak here, I suspect Sinckler will get some more caps yet.
Hooker - Blamire, Dan, Dolly - there's quite a few that could come in here but realistically George and LCD will win many more caps before these guys get a consistent look in.
Lock - Itoje, Martin, Chessum, JHill - again there's quite a few younger guys who could put their hands up and take Hill's spot we'll see where they are in terms of form.
Flanker - TCurry, Pearson, Earl, THill - need some bigger options and I think THill could do well in the Lawes role. Ludlam and maybe Lawes might pick a few more caps.
8 - Willis, Mercer
9 - Mitchell, (JVP), Warr, Quirke - with JVP injured and Mitchell's form erratic form we're somewhat crying out for a 9 to step up. Could well be one of the Sale lads.
10. Smith, Smith, Atkinson/Bailey/Haydon-Wood- after Smith and Smith there's a bit of a drop off to the next contenders. Sadly Farrell will want to carry on and Ford is only 30 so has year left as well.
Centre - Atkinson, Kelly, Lawrence, Joseph - not much in the way of choice here though Dingwall might get another look in as might Porter
Wing - Freeman, Murley, OHC, Watson - yes Anthony Watson is still only 29. Roebuck, Radwan, Thorley etc there's quite a few around and bar Watson none have a massive advantage on the rest.
Fullback - Steward, Arundell - obvious options though Carpenter is starting to look handy.

[Tigersman]

Joe Carpenter is one to look at. Still think Fraser Dingwall has a lot to offer, Ted Hill and Alex Coles likewise. Will Porter will do well at Quins and should be on the radar.
Hooker is a real issue. I thought Blamire had something but SB seemingly doesnt. Sam Riley has promise but hasnt really got going.
Could do with a few young props making headway. Phil Brantingham at Newcastle maybe, or Fin Baxter or James Harper.

Dan Frost for me will thrive at Exeter if he can remain fit. Capon will also think prove to be a very good hooker just feel he could do with moving.

[Mikey Brown]

It’s funny how desperate we are to look at a fresh start even though we’re still in the World Cup. I think it says a lot.

Not many additions to anyone else’s picks, but it’ll be exciting to have a bit of a reset.

We’re in an interesting place judgement-wise with some of the fringe World Cup players. I don’t think anybody would say Arundell was a better fullback than Carpenter last season, for instance, but now is a time worth investing in the players with potential if not necessarily a body of work.

Joey Jo Jo Junior is going to be quality.

Absolutely can’t wait to see the back of Billy Bunipola.

[Scrumhead]

A few others to throw in the mix.

LH: Beno Obano (surprised no-one’s mentioned him?), Manny Iyogun
TH: Patrick Shickerling (I’m not a fan of residency poaches, but needs must and he’s eligible next month)

CE: Max Ojomoh
WG: Louis Lynagh

Lynagh is a bit of a leftfield shout, but he’s been out so long I think most people have forgotten all about him. If he can stay fit, I think he could put himself in the mix.

[SixAndAHalf]

Another interesting question among this is who gets a central contract - sounds like there will be about 20 but it will be fixed for a world cup cycle. I have asterisked those I would have.

Here is my squad (ignoring the under 30 rule!) - I think it's will be evolution not revolution which I think is correct as I despise devaluing the six nations:

LH: Genge*, VRR, [Rodd or Marler]
Hooker: Cowan-Dickie*, George, Dan
TH: Sinckler*, Stuart, [Heyes]
Lock: Itoje*, Chessum*, Martin, [JHill]
Flanker: TCurry*, Earl*, Pearson, THill, Barbeary (JWillis not available)
Number 8: Mercer*, TWillis

Scrum Half: Quirke, Warr, Mitchell (assumes JvP* injured)
Fly Half: Ford*, [FSmith]
Centre: Lawrence*, Kelly, Atkinson, Slade (Marchant not available)
Wing: Arundell*, Watson*, Freeman*, Murley
Full back: MSmith*, Steward*, Carpenter

Square brackets for a few names I'm chucking in without much conviction.

Retired / moved on: Cole, Mako, Lawes, Billy, Ben&Danny, Farrell (unfortunately he will be captain and 10), Daly, May

[Puja]

A few others to throw in the mix.

LH: Beno Obano (surprised no-one’s mentioned him?), Manny Iyogun
TH: Patrick Shickerling (I’m not a fan of residency poaches, but needs must and he’s eligible next month)

CE: Max Ojomoh
WG: Louis Lynagh

Lynagh is a bit of a leftfield shout, but he’s been out so long I think most people have forgotten all about him. If he can stay fit, I think he could put himself in the mix.

Those are good shouts all. I had thought to mention Schickerling when I started typing and then forgot about him. I'm not much for residency picks either, but at least with 5 years of history in the country, he's been living here for a fifth of his life - it's less tenuous than it used to be.

Surprised Obano's so young, tbh. Had thought he was 30+

Puja