How is your club’s squad looking ahead of the restart?

[Gloskarlos]

Yep, I have no idea what the plan is at lock. Freddie Clarke can fit in if necessary, but that’s not the answer. We have no upcoming locks from the academy either as far as I know. Mr. Skivington has some quick targets to identify in my mind. I think we are also lacking a little strength in the Prop area, Seville and knight are quite ‘green’ even though they’ve been around a while, hoping this season makes them. I know very little of Stanley. Back row is reasonable but I would like to see one more in there, to cover Polledri internationally and injuries.

Quite happy with wing and full back positions. Centres ok as long as Trinder can stay fully fit.

[Gloskarlos]

Comparing the Glos squad with Saints tells quite a story, how they have managed to retain such a large squad is impressive.

[anders_limpar]

Saints seem to have, touch wood, handled the whole thing pretty well and certainly the players who have been interviewed have had nothing but praise. I think to be fair Saints were helped by having a big chunk of cap space available following the retirements of Hartley and Brussow and then not needed to spend big to replace Reinach, which meant they had wiggle room with everyone else.

[fivepointer]

Glos struggled a bit at lock before the season was suspended. I think Clarke had to fill in from time to time, and possibly Ackerman.
Freddie Thomas is an England age group player but he's a bit raw for the Premiership.
Surely they can recruit someone from the Championship to at least get them through the remainder of the current season?

Agree about Saints. That looks a very handy group of players.

[Scrumhead]

There’s a few decent players that have been released. If they can get over the Bath rivalry, someone like Levi Douglas is decent, local and available.

I saw someone suggest elsewhere that they could make a deal with Newcastle or one of the other Championship clubs to sign one or two of their locks on loan given they won’t be playing again until next season. Not a bad idea.

To be fair, I’d be happy with Quins re-signing Sam Stuart on loan as a 3rd choice 9. I’d also be happy take Scott Steele after his release from London Irish.

[FKAS]

Leicester is still a bit up in the air, with them stretching out all of their contract renewals so that they can present a glut of positive news stories to drown out the very public furore about Manu et al and the opinion pieces on Leicester being f*cked.

However, this is what I believe we have announced/heavily rumoured (academy people who could maybe step up in brackets):

1) Genge / Gigena / (Whitcombe)
2) Montoya / Mamukashvili / TYoungs / Kerr / Clare
3) Cole / Heyes / Leatigaga
4) Enever / Lavanini / (Martin)
5) Green / Wells / Lewis / (Manz)
6) Brink / Liebenberg / (Ilione)
7) Reffell / (Lavin)
8) Taufua(?) / Coghlan / (Smith)

9) Youngs / White / Simmons / (Van Poortvliet) / (Law)
10) Ford / Henry / McPhillips
11) Nadolo / Potter / Williams
12) Taute / Hardwick
13) Scott
14) Olowofela / Aspland-Robinson / (Browning)
15) Worth / (Steward)

To say that's looking thin would be drastically understating it. I've included the likes of Whitcombe, Martin, Manz, Ilione, Lavin, and Smith in the forward, but Smith is the oldest at 20 and it'd be a big ask for any of them to play a significant part in the season. The backs are a little better covered than they appear, with Olowofela covering 13-15 and Worth covering anywhere but 9, but we're still gonna be expecting a good shift out of Steward and Browning from the academy.

And, let's not ignore our usual gaping deficiency in the back row. We've not even got multiple spare locks that we could shove in there. Was it not worth offering Thompson a cut rate contract to hang on and mentor the kids?

Puja

Back row is just about covered at present, if Taufua goes then there's going to be some real worry. Desperately need another senior prop as well.

1) Genge / Gigena / (Whitcombe)
2) Mamukashvili / TYoungs / Kerr / Clare
3) Cole / Heyes / Leatigaga / (Dimen) / (Rowntree)
4) Enever / Lavanini / (Martin) / (Henderson)
5) Green / Wells / (Manz) / (Chessum)
6) Liebenberg / Lewis / (Ashworth)
7) Taufua / Reffell / (Gough) / (Lavin) / (K Smith)
8) Brink / Coghlan / (T Smith)

I wouldn't include Ilione as he's supposed to be studying for a medical degree in London next year so should be dual registered with a national league team. Lock isn't too bad with three of the development squad options selected as part of under 20 six nations squads. I suspect we might blood T Smith/Lavin/Gough in the end of the current season to see if they are ready to step up or see if we need to go shopping before next season.

Backs look very short of a centre of Manu/Eastmond/Reid all go though Eastmond and Reid are little loss. One centre and one fullback should see us through.

Rumours our former development lock Cam Jordan is heading over to Gloucester.

[Raggs]

If there are mid week games, and therefore big turnover you'd think, it's surely a time when having a smaller squad is a huge risk, especially (and I know not everyhting is done yet), the likes of Glaws with barely anyone at lock. If you don't have proper locks, you'll struggle in the scrum.

[Scrumhead]

I mean really currently Falcons are the ones who are massively relegation favourites IMO.
Also TBF to Abendanon in his prime he was literally European player of the season, which is slightly better than good prem player you would think.

Tigers 15 is a odd position.
We have Freddie Steward coming up so there isn't the desire to really spend big on a player in their prime for 3 years who might block Steward.
BUT we also have things like mid week games etc coming up and we need depth.
and considering he was thinking of retiring due to not getting offers I don't think he will cost much at all.

13 for example is straight forward we need a starter to replace Manu, we have Kelly coming up but he's more a unknown than Steward.

Yeah. Falcons are not in a good position at all. I can’t see how they’re going to strengthen and their existing squad isn’t good enough for the Premiership.

Their players will also have been out of the game for well over 6mths by the time they play again and if the rest of the Premiership teams have a short turnaround between 19/20 and 20/21, they’ll be much sharper. Difficult to see a scenario where Falcons don’t go down.

[Puja]

I mean really currently Falcons are the ones who are massively relegation favourites IMO.
Also TBF to Abendanon in his prime he was literally European player of the season, which is slightly better than good prem player you would think.

Tigers 15 is a odd position.
We have Freddie Steward coming up so there isn't the desire to really spend big on a player in their prime for 3 years who might block Steward.
BUT we also have things like mid week games etc coming up and we need depth.
and considering he was thinking of retiring due to not getting offers I don't think he will cost much at all.

13 for example is straight forward we need a starter to replace Manu, we have Kelly coming up but he's more a unknown than Steward.

Yeah. Falcons are not in a good position at all. I can’t see how they’re going to strengthen and their existing squad isn’t good enough for the Premiership.

Their players will also have been out of the game for well over 6mths by the time they play again and if the rest of the Premiership teams have a short turnaround between 19/20 and 20/21, they’ll be much sharper. Difficult to see a scenario where Falcons don’t go down.

Especially since Leicester now have actual coaches and Worcester have signed up all their young talent - there's two of the possible competitors for the bottom spot who would be hoping to look upwards on the table rather than down.

Mind, it depends how badly Irish come out of the wage restructuring. If they keep a lot of their foreign legion, they should stay clear, but if rumours of a mass exodus are true, then the bottom of the Prem could be two bald men fighting over a comb.

Puja


Have split the thread on the basis that Leicester fans were taking it over entirely!

Mod

[Cameo]

I mean really currently Falcons are the ones who are massively relegation favourites IMO.
Also TBF to Abendanon in his prime he was literally European player of the season, which is slightly better than good prem player you would think.

Tigers 15 is a odd position.
We have Freddie Steward coming up so there isn't the desire to really spend big on a player in their prime for 3 years who might block Steward.
BUT we also have things like mid week games etc coming up and we need depth.
and considering he was thinking of retiring due to not getting offers I don't think he will cost much at all.

13 for example is straight forward we need a starter to replace Manu, we have Kelly coming up but he's more a unknown than Steward.

Yeah. Falcons are not in a good position at all. I can’t see how they’re going to strengthen and their existing squad isn’t good enough for the Premiership.

Their players will also have been out of the game for well over 6mths by the time they play again and if the rest of the Premiership teams have a short turnaround between 19/20 and 20/21, they’ll be much sharper. Difficult to see a scenario where Falcons don’t go down.

Is there a scenario where the 6 month break helps? Probably not if they have only had very limited training in that period but, if they can start training fully soon, you'd hope they can at least be pretty cohesive by the start of the season and be over any niggles.

[Scrumhead]

There’s a few decent players that have been released. If they can get over the Bath rivalry, someone like Levi Douglas is decent, local and available.

I saw someone suggest elsewhere that they could make a deal with Newcastle or one of the other Championship clubs to sign one or two of their locks on loan given they won’t be playing again until next season. Not a bad idea.

To be fair, I’d be happy with Quins re-signing Sam Stuart on loan as a 3rd choice 9. I’d also be happy take Scott Steele after his release from London Irish.

I didn’t know anything about a genuine link here, but apparently Quins have actually signed Scott Steele so maybe Paul Gustard reads my posts with interest? Decent 3rd choice IMO and will probably get a fair bit of game time.

[Galfon]

Sale's back-line suddenly looks healthier after Manu agreeing a move up here.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53388978
No doubt his bro. Andy put a good word in about the area after his stint some years back (and bars to avoid. )

[Puja]

I really do hate Steve Diamond. Just yesterday, he was insisting that Sale had had no contact with Manu, there was no truth to the rumours, of course we'd be interested in world class talent, but we've made no approach at all. Today, "Manu will be a fantastic commercial and playing addition to our squad." This isn't the first time either - I remember him doing the same with Solomona and I think Yarde.

I would have no problem with him refusing to comment or saying, "We get linked with lots of players," or some other refusal to answer, but the blatant lying really bothers me.

Puja

[Digby]

Of all the reasons to dislike Steve Diamond...

[Warrior85]

Worcester are looking OK. We have a decent match day 23 but struggle with depth. Its the first time in a long time, if ever, that all of our promising younger players have extended contracts. We've also not had a mass exodus of our best players. Mills is the only player to leave who would be considered a starter but his form disappeared half way through last season.

Loose head - Waller, Kai Owen, Black
Hooker - Moulds, Annett, Miller and Cutting
Tight Head - Schonert, Carey, Palframan, Morris

Locks - Kitcheners G and A, Bresler, Batley, Scott and Clegg

6 and 7 - Hill, Lewis, Kvesic, Mama, Cox, Montgomery

8 - Du Preez, Van Velze, Dodds

Scrum Half - Hougaard, Heaney, Kitto, Simpson
Fly Half - Weir, Searle and Shilcock

Centre - Lawrence, Venter, Beck, Butler, Van Breda

Wing - Fidow, Humphreys, Howe, Nick David

Full back - Pennell, Nanai, Heward

There has also been an overhaul of the coaching set up with a while new team under Solly

[Puja]

Worcester are looking OK. We have a decent match day 23 but struggle with depth. Its the first time in a long time, if ever, that all of our promising younger players have extended contracts. We've also not had a mass exodus of our best players. Mills is the only player to leave who would be considered a starter but his form disappeared half way through last season.

Loose head - Waller, Kai Owen, Black
Hooker - Moulds, Annett, Miller and Cutting
Tight Head - Schonert, Carey, Palframan, Morris

Locks - Kitcheners G and A, Bresler, Batley, Scott and Clegg

6 and 7 - Hill, Lewis, Kvesic, Mama, Cox, Montgomery

8 - Du Preez, Van Velze, Dodds

Scrum Half - Hougaard, Heaney, Kitto, Simpson
Fly Half - Weir, Searle and Shilcock

Centre - Lawrence, Venter, Beck, Butler, Van Breda

Wing - Fidow, Humphreys, Howe, Nick David

Full back - Pennell, Nanai, Heward

There has also been an overhaul of the coaching set up with a while new team under Solly

Worcester have got a very strong looking squad for next season. I rate EWaller very highly indeed, and you've got a good spine of a team in Schonert, Hill, Lewis, Kvesic, Hougaard, Lawrence, and Pennell. Like you said, it is going to be about keeping that first XV fit . Do you have another crop of promising youngsters on the way to follow the Hill/Shillcock/Lawrence class?

Puja

[Warrior85]

Worcester have got a very strong looking squad for next season. I rate EWaller very highly indeed, and you've got a good spine of a team in Schonert, Hill, Lewis, Kvesic, Hougaard, Lawrence, and Pennell. Like you said, it is going to be about keeping that first XV fit . Do you have another crop of promising youngsters on the way to follow the Hill/Shillcock/Lawrence class?

Puja

Not sure if we've got anyone quite on the level of Hill or Lawrence as they are potentially the best players to ever come out of Warriors. There is definitely some talent coming through though.

Kai Owen and Nick David have just earned pro deals. Owen looks a really good prospect at loose head and really held his own against one of the Frank's brothers earlier in the year. Nick David is a rapid winger who made an impression when we had injuries this year and looked ready ro score tries in the Prem.

Bit further down the age grades Mason Tonks in the back row looks a real player. He's a unit already and has some decent pace for a forward, in the mould of a Ben Earl or Sam Simmonds.

Noah Heward got fans excited in a cameo earlier in the season. A real rapid full back.

Finally, it could be worth keeping an eye on Jack Forsyth (back-row) and Finn Smith (fly half) both getting England 18s experience. The fans in the know think these guys could be the next big things

[Scrumhead]

Worcester are looking OK. We have a decent match day 23 but struggle with depth. Its the first time in a long time, if ever, that all of our promising younger players have extended contracts. We've also not had a mass exodus of our best players. Mills is the only player to leave who would be considered a starter but his form disappeared half way through last season.

Loose head - Waller, Kai Owen, Black
Hooker - Moulds, Annett, Miller and Cutting
Tight Head - Schonert, Carey, Palframan, Morris

Locks - Kitcheners G and A, Bresler, Batley, Scott and Clegg

6 and 7 - Hill, Lewis, Kvesic, Mama, Cox, Montgomery

8 - Du Preez, Van Velze, Dodds

Scrum Half - Hougaard, Heaney, Kitto, Simpson
Fly Half - Weir, Searle and Shilcock

Centre - Lawrence, Venter, Beck, Butler, Van Breda

Wing - Fidow, Humphreys, Howe, Nick David

Full back - Pennell, Nanai, Heward

There has also been an overhaul of the coaching set up with a while new team under Solly

I agree with Puja. This is one of the better Warriors squads I’ve seen TBH.

It’s a shame you lost Heem and Adams in quick session. Humphreys and Howe are underrated and fairly effective, just not on the same level. If you’d still got a winger of their standard, it would make a big difference.

[fivepointer]

Hope to see Kai Owen get some game time.

Wuss squad isnt packed with world beaters but does have a very solid look to it. Some good youngsters for sure.

[Warrior85]

I think Kai Owen should get plenty of time now. I think he was finishing a degree up until now. I think he should definitely be 2nd choice ahead of Callum Black.

Losing Bryce Heem was massive for us. Such a top bloke and incredible player. Whenever we used to get stuck playing sideways and backwards (which was often) he used to get us going forward on his own. We've got high hopes with Fidow if he can work on his defensive positioning.

Solly and the new owners are really trying to build a foundation through our academy rather than bringing journey men as we have done in the past.

[Scrumhead]

And fair play to them for it ... I liked what I saw of Will Butler when he played for the U20s, but I haven’t seen much of him since. Hopefully he can get more game time as he looked to me like a handy, playmaking 12.

I know Billy Searle is not a Worcester academy product but I think he’s a good young 10 whose injuries mean he’s kind of flown under the radar. I think he’s a very astute signing who will do well for you.

[Warrior85]

And fair play to them for it ... I liked what I saw of Will Butler when he played for the U20s, but I haven’t seen much of him since. Hopefully he can get more game time as he looked to me like a handy, playmaking 12.

I know Billy Searle is not a Worcester academy product but I think he’s a good young 10 whose injuries mean he’s kind of flown under the radar. I think he’s a very astute signing who will do well for you.

I really like Will Butler but he cannot stay fit at all. He's had a couple of long term injuries now and is falling down the pecking order. He captained our A-side a couple of seasons ago and did really well. Needed to bulk up a little bit as he's on the small size for a centre.

Only seen Searle play once and that was against us this season and he looked a good ball player. Should hopefully give us another dimension to Weir.

[Puja]

And fair play to them for it ... I liked what I saw of Will Butler when he played for the U20s, but I haven’t seen much of him since. Hopefully he can get more game time as he looked to me like a handy, playmaking 12.

I know Billy Searle is not a Worcester academy product but I think he’s a good young 10 whose injuries mean he’s kind of flown under the radar. I think he’s a very astute signing who will do well for you.

I really like Will Butler but he cannot stay fit at all. He's had a couple of long term injuries now and is falling down the pecking order. He captained our A-side a couple of seasons ago and did really well. Needed to bulk up a little bit as he's on the small size for a centre.

Only seen Searle play once and that was against us this season and he looked a good ball player. Should hopefully give us another dimension to Weir.

If you'll take my opinion, Searle is a better player than Weir all around. Highly underrated - he'd never trouble an international team, but he's the kind of solid all-around player that your lot have a knack for coaxing really good form out of. He's a sharp acquisition.

Mind, I like the look of Shillcock for your lot as well. Do you see him as a 10 going forwards or Pennell's heir?

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Shillcock seems to have been about to break through for about 5 years now. I don’t know how Pennel is still going.

[Scrumhead]

Shillcock is another who has been hampered by injuries. From what I’ve seen, I think he looks more like a fullback than a fly half.

In other news Eastmond is being linked with a short term contract at Quins to cover for injuries/absentees (I don’t know when Esterhuizen is due to arrive).