Premiership 'Ones to Watch' XV 2017/18

[Mellsblue]

You know, Mark eerrrmmm......Mark what's his face.

[bitts]

Last few years I've been picking Mallinder and Earle as ones to watch. Which is a bit weird as now i don't think either will be long term Internationals despite both being in Eddie's Argentina squad.

Eddie's also took a lot of the fun out of this by picking loads of the ones to watch in various squads already.

I'd love to say Malins, but I just can't see him getting any game time. Really think he should move, it may be good for for forwards to be eased in but FHs need game time at ten to develop.

So I'm going to go with Simmons and Witty. Thought Simmons looked quality last year and should be aiming to make the 7 shirt his own. If not, I hope Kvesic finally becomes the 7 we wanted him to be.

In another generation I think we would be getting excited by Witty, but we have a surplus of talented second rows.

Calum Chick looks good, but he's along way off getting close to the England squad.

[Timbo]

In theory yes, but then Saracens signed Skelton and Day.

With Isiekwe leaves them 3 match day locks for when Itoje and Kruis aren't there...that was my thinking. Not wholly convinced that Day will be considered over Isiekwe either.

Except Sarries showed last year they'd rather play Rhodes at lock over him too, so even without Kruis or Itoje about he might not make the 23

He wasn't an England international then.

[Scrumhead]

Last few years I've been picking Mallinder and Earle as ones to watch. Which is a bit weird as now i don't think either will be long term Internationals despite both being in Eddie's Argentina squad.

Eddie's also took a lot of the fun out of this by picking loads of the ones to watch in various squads already.

I'd love to say Malins, but I just can't see him getting any game time. Really think he should move, it may be good for for forwards to be eased in but FHs need game time at ten to develop.

So I'm going to go with Simmons and Witty. Thought Simmons looked quality last year and should be aiming to make the 7 shirt his own. If not, I hope Kvesic finally becomes the 7 we wanted him to be.

In another generation I think we would be getting excited by Witty, but we have a surplus of talented second rows.

Calum Chick looks good, but he's along way off getting close to the England squad.

To be honest, the premise of the thread was not about players who I believe are close to the England squad. I know I mentioned that a few of them could get on to the England radar, but in the main, it was just supposed to be about young players I'm keen to see more of.

I agree with you about Witty though. He was actually in my 'ones to watch' last season.

[Which Tyler]

Can we all stop forgetting Mark Flanagan.

I for one, have never forgotten Mark Flanagan

[Puja]

Can we all stop forgetting Mark Flanagan.

I for one, have never forgotten Mark Flanagan

Whereas I have never forgotten to forget Mark Flanagan.

Puja

[Guwuffle]

With Isiekwe leaves them 3 match day locks for when Itoje and Kruis aren't there...that was my thinking. Not wholly convinced that Day will be considered over Isiekwe either.

Except Sarries showed last year they'd rather play Rhodes at lock over him too, so even without Kruis or Itoje about he might not make the 23

He wasn't an England international then.

He's also still only 19, he made his Premiership debut at a younger age than Itoje so I'd expect to see a bit of caution in how much time he gets.

Interesting question as to whether he ends up playing for the U20s again next year post involvement in the Senior squad.

[ilovelamp]

From a Glaws point of view we have two very talented scrum halves, in Vellacott and Randall, that I’m looking forward to seeing develop this year. Vellacott made an impact in every game he was involved in last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if the sweaties take a look at him for the senior side at some point this season.

Also keen to see how Rapava-Ruskin performs. He comes with a big reputation and we have never managed to adequately replace Nick Wood at loose-head since he retired.

[bitts]

From a Glaws point of view we have two very talented scrum halves, in Vellacott and Randall, that I’m looking forward to seeing develop this year. Vellacott made an impact in every game he was involved in last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if the sweaties take a look at him for the senior side at some point this season.

Also keen to see how Rapava-Ruskin performs. He comes with a big reputation and we have never managed to adequately replace Nick Wood at loose-head since he retired.

Isekwe has another year at U20? That's terrifying. Especially when you consider that the Currys do too.

I'd like to get excited by Randall, but Glos is a bit of a development killer as a club.

[Puja]

From a Glaws point of view we have two very talented scrum halves, in Vellacott and Randall, that I’m looking forward to seeing develop this year. Vellacott made an impact in every game he was involved in last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if the sweaties take a look at him for the senior side at some point this season.

Also keen to see how Rapava-Ruskin performs. He comes with a big reputation and we have never managed to adequately replace Nick Wood at loose-head since he retired.

Isekwe has another year at U20? That's terrifying. Especially when you consider that the Currys do too.

I'd like to get excited by Randall, but Glos is a bit of a development killer as a club.

Yeah, I really don't expect to see Iziekwe play much at all for Sarries this year and am not too disappointed about the fact. Day is a one season signing anyway and better to give him a chance to breathe and develop properly, rather than rush him in an area where we're already very well stocked.

Puja

[ilovelamp]

From a Glaws point of view we have two very talented scrum halves, in Vellacott and Randall, that I’m looking forward to seeing develop this year. Vellacott made an impact in every game he was involved in last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if the sweaties take a look at him for the senior side at some point this season.

Also keen to see how Rapava-Ruskin performs. He comes with a big reputation and we have never managed to adequately replace Nick Wood at loose-head since he retired.

I'd like to get excited by Randall, but Glos is a bit of a development killer as a club.

Que? In recent years we’ve had the likes of Sharples, May, Trinder, Moriarty, Ludlow, Robson come through the academy.

Prior to that we had Allen, Morgan, Sinbad, Vickery, Woodman, Tuohy, Greening (to name a few) all coming through. In my mind we’ve always been a club that’s not been afraid to promote our academy.

[Mellsblue]

From a Glaws point of view we have two very talented scrum halves, in Vellacott and Randall, that I’m looking forward to seeing develop this year. Vellacott made an impact in every game he was involved in last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if the sweaties take a look at him for the senior side at some point this season.

Also keen to see how Rapava-Ruskin performs. He comes with a big reputation and we have never managed to adequately replace Nick Wood at loose-head since he retired.

I'd like to get excited by Randall, but Glos is a bit of a development killer as a club.

Que? In recent years we’ve had the likes of Sharples, May, Trinder, Moriarty, Ludlow, Robson come through the academy.

Prior to that we had Allen, Morgan, Sinbad, Vickery, Woodman, Tuohy, Greening (to name a few) all coming through. In my mind we’ve always been a club that’s not been afraid to promote our academy.

Not many push on to be England regulars, though.

[Puja]

From a Glaws point of view we have two very talented scrum halves, in Vellacott and Randall, that I’m looking forward to seeing develop this year. Vellacott made an impact in every game he was involved in last year and I wouldn’t be surprised if the sweaties take a look at him for the senior side at some point this season.

Also keen to see how Rapava-Ruskin performs. He comes with a big reputation and we have never managed to adequately replace Nick Wood at loose-head since he retired.

I'd like to get excited by Randall, but Glos is a bit of a development killer as a club.

Que? In recent years we’ve had the likes of Sharples, May, Trinder, Moriarty, Ludlow, Robson come through the academy.

Recent years is stretching it for some of those. Sharples came through in 2007, May in 2009, Trinder in 2007. I'll give you Moriarty and Ludlow, but Robson left you because you never played him, so he's hardly a good example.

And yes, I'm aware of the irony of a Leicester fan making this post.

Puja

[ilovelamp]

I'd like to get excited by Randall, but Glos is a bit of a development killer as a club.

Que? In recent years we’ve had the likes of Sharples, May, Trinder, Moriarty, Ludlow, Robson come through the academy.

Recent years is stretching it for some of those. Sharples came through in 2007, May in 2009, Trinder in 2007. I'll give you Moriarty and Ludlow, but Robson left you because you never played him, so he's hardly a good example.

And yes, I'm aware of the irony of a Leicester fan making this post.

Puja

Robson was getting plenty of game time. He went because we made a last minute decision to sign Laidlaw when Jimmy Cowan left and Robson had thought he would be our starting 9 the next season. Laidlaws goalkicking in that first season made it difficult for Robson to oust him so rather than stay and fight for a spot he left.

Robson up to leaving us had made 87 apearances in 4 years (40 of which were starts). In his last season alone he played 24 times, scoring 8 tries! Hardly a guy who never played!

[Banquo]

Que? In recent years we’ve had the likes of Sharples, May, Trinder, Moriarty, Ludlow, Robson come through the academy.

Recent years is stretching it for some of those. Sharples came through in 2007, May in 2009, Trinder in 2007. I'll give you Moriarty and Ludlow, but Robson left you because you never played him, so he's hardly a good example.

And yes, I'm aware of the irony of a Leicester fan making this post.

Puja

Robson was getting plenty of game time. He went because we made a last minute decision to sign Laidlaw when Jimmy Cowan left and Robson had thought he would be our starting 9 the next season. Laidlaws goalkicking in that first season made it difficult for Robson to oust him so rather than stay and fight for a spot he left.

Robson up to leaving us had made 87 apearances in 4 years (40 of which were starts). In his last season alone he played 24 times, scoring 8 tries! Hardly a guy who never played!

I'd also point out that 5/6 years ago, people on here were saying what a poor 9 Robson was when playing for England U20's- so glaws did something right. Personally, I think he should have got a shot at England when he was in decent form for Wasps (accepting that it dipped).

[bitts]

Que? In recent years we’ve had the likes of Sharples, May, Trinder, Moriarty, Ludlow, Robson come through the academy.

Recent years is stretching it for some of those. Sharples came through in 2007, May in 2009, Trinder in 2007. I'll give you Moriarty and Ludlow, but Robson left you because you never played him, so he's hardly a good example.

And yes, I'm aware of the irony of a Leicester fan making this post.

Puja

Robson was getting plenty of game time. He went because we made a last minute decision to sign Laidlaw when Jimmy Cowan left and Robson had thought he would be our starting 9 the next season. Laidlaws goalkicking in that first season made it difficult for Robson to oust him so rather than stay and fight for a spot he left.

Robson up to leaving us had made 87 appearances in 4 years (40 of which were starts). In his last season alone he played 24 times, scoring 8 tries! Hardly a guy who never played!

I'll admit my point may not have been well researched or well thought through. But there's nothing I like more than defending an indefensible position, so here goes:

From what I recall, most of Robson's starts were in non-prem matches. Also, it's not like you didn't have other kickers and he was putting in better performances than Laidlaw. So it was pretty clear he wasn't going to be number 1 regardless of performances. As Puja said, the recent years thing kind of discount's the Sharples generation.

I also had Kvesic in mind, who's career seems to have gone backwards every season since he joined. The blame for that may not well lie with Glos.

Now I think of it, you may be able to add B Burns to Moriarty and Ludlow.

Okay, I'll admit: I was probably wrong to have a dig!

[Scrumhead]

To be fair, I'd say Gloucester have a reasonable record of giving opportunities to young players in recent times.

They've done a decent job of bringing through the likes of Freddie and Billy Burns and despite the end result, they've at least attempted to sign younger players and develop them - i.e. Kvesic or Twelvetrees (at the point of signing).

The issue seems to be with the next step. Players at Gloucester seem to achieve a certain level of performance and then plateau or drop back. No idea why that is though?

[Tigersman]

The big one to watch for me is
13 - Manu Tuilagi - Hearing reports he is lean and looking really well, really hope that this will be his second breakthrough season, played his best rugby for MOC and hopefully with Youngs, Ford and Toomua they can get the best out of him again.

[Puja]

The big one to watch for me is
13 - Manu Tuilagi - Hearing reports he is lean and looking really well, really hope that this will be his second breakthrough season, played his best rugby for MOC and hopefully with Youngs, Ford and Toomua they can get the best out of him again.

Lean is good. He always looks better lean than as a behemoth. The proof of the pudding will be in him actually stitching together four consecutive matches without gaining a new and exciting injury.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

The big one to watch for me is
13 - Manu Tuilagi - Hearing reports he is lean and looking really well, really hope that this will be his second breakthrough season, played his best rugby for MOC and hopefully with Youngs, Ford and Toomua they can get the best out of him again.

Lean is good. He always looks better lean than as a behemoth. The proof of the pudding will be in him actually stitching together four consecutive matches without gaining a new and exciting injury.

Puja

Have I just gone 12 months back in time?

[twitchy]

His last injury was a genuine bit of bad luck un related to his previous injury. His record looks bad on paper but he can come back (I'm touching my wooden desk).

[Puja]

The big one to watch for me is
13 - Manu Tuilagi - Hearing reports he is lean and looking really well, really hope that this will be his second breakthrough season, played his best rugby for MOC and hopefully with Youngs, Ford and Toomua they can get the best out of him again.

Lean is good. He always looks better lean than as a behemoth. The proof of the pudding will be in him actually stitching together four consecutive matches without gaining a new and exciting injury.

Puja

Have I just gone 12 months back in time?

Touché! Actually, on second thoughts, please don't touché - you might break him.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

I'm not sure how much to read in to Hepburn's fitness from him modelling the new Exeter home kit, but if he is fit, he's definitely one to watch.

I thought he was excellent on the Saxons tour in SA and it was a massive shame he got seriously injured last season. We're lucky to have lots of good looseheads, but I'd regard him as one with genuine test potential.

[TheNomad]

We're spilling over at loosehead these days

Tighthead is a bit more difficult but a combo of Cole and Sinkler (certainly the best two) followed up by potentials like Williams, Hill etc. seems OK for now. Would like one more to be coming through but you can't really complain about our front row for now

[Raggs]

As a Wasps supporter, I really hope that Cooper-Woolley gets a decent run free of injury, I think he could be a good option in the future. Decent scrummager, big tackler and not awful carrier.