RugbyRebels

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 5:07 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:11 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 11:40 am
gawd these signings are a tad depressing. We could do with a 3 year accord between the clubs to all be developing young talent.

There needs to be a level of quality for them to develop in though. Playing against a few England internationals but mainly other youngsters and a scattering of journeymen won't really help develop players. Charlie Atkinson will need to put perform a former international flyhalf to get the 10 shirt, Anscombe isn't someone good enough to command the shirt but is experienced enough to be a mentor and provide competition.

and round and down we go in a gradual spiral. Where is the strategy? I wasnt singling out this one per se, to be clear.

Yeah I know, it's a difficult balance to find. You have to get enough game time for the young EQ guys to develop but also at the same time keep the Prem at a high enough level to make that game time meaningful. Just playing squads of young EQ players won't necessarily mean we have a load of high quality players just that the league games are meaningless and the young EQ guys will be mullered in Europe and won't benefit us internationally.

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 5:30 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 5:07 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 2:11 pm

There needs to be a level of quality for them to develop in though. Playing against a few England internationals but mainly other youngsters and a scattering of journeymen won't really help develop players. Charlie Atkinson will need to put perform a former international flyhalf to get the 10 shirt, Anscombe isn't someone good enough to command the shirt but is experienced enough to be a mentor and provide competition.

and round and down we go in a gradual spiral. Where is the strategy? I wasnt singling out this one per se, to be clear.

Yeah I know, it's a difficult balance to find. You have to get enough game time for the young EQ guys to develop but also at the same time keep the Prem at a high enough level to make that game time meaningful. Just playing squads of young EQ players won't necessarily mean we have a load of high quality players just that the league games are meaningless and the young EQ guys will be mullered in Europe and won't benefit us internationally.

but you dont have to go to the other extreme, just a strategy to develop your own players.

The Anscombe signing is a bit frustrating given that it’ll likely limit Charlie Atkinson’s game time. However, it is only a year long contract and as a mentor/someone to push him, Anscombe isn’t the worst option.

The signings I have more of an issue with are the journeymen. I often struggle to see how the B rate South Africans/Antipodeans are markedly better than what already exists here. With a decent bit of shopping around, there’s plenty of evidence to show that the Championship and even competitions like BUCS can be a very viable route for squad players in the Premiership and possibly beyond.

I want to see clubs limiting their imports to their first choice 23. Using a current example of Tigers’ rumoured signings - I’m fine with Perese, less so Eloff.

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:08 am

The signings I have more of an issue with are the journeymen.Using a current example of Tigers’ rumoured signings - I’m fine with Perese, less so Eloff.

That was my point, probably a bit harsh being 'triggered' by Anscombe, but at 32 he's a bit a of journeyman these days, having journeyed back from Japan.

Scrumhead wrote: ↑Sun Mar 03, 2024 10:08 am The Anscombe signing is a bit frustrating given that it’ll likely limit Charlie Atkinson’s game time. However, it is only a year long contract and as a mentor/someone to push him, Anscombe isn’t the worst option.

The signings I have more of an issue with are the journeymen. I often struggle to see how the B rate South Africans/Antipodeans are markedly better than what already exists here. With a decent bit of shopping around, there’s plenty of evidence to show that the Championship and even competitions like BUCS can be a very viable route for squad players in the Premiership and possibly beyond.

I want to see clubs limiting their imports to their first choice 23. Using a current example of Tigers’ rumoured signings - I’m fine with Perese, less so Eloff.

Eloff being only 24 and a ball carrying prop that can play both sides equally well makes him extremely useful at a time when Tigers could be providing three tightheads to international squads but also need LH cover.

All three tightheads are locals, Cole from Hinckley, Heyes from Newark (just over the border in Nottinghamshire) and Hurd from Ashby. At loosehead we have local boy Whitcombe and two more in the development squad but at 21 and 19 we need cover. As Eloff likely replaces van Wyk the EQ South African in the squad I don't see it making a material difference.

If the Tiger Cubs can't oust him over the next couple of seasons they are unlikely to threaten any sort of international recognition.

Perese I'm actually more sceptical about as we have EQ centres and two former England age grade centres in the development squad. Despite being a good player he's more likely to block development though as the more promising centre is a 12 possibly not to much.

nope, still finding it depressing.

Goddrick-Clarke
Goddrick-Clarke
Goddrick-Clarke

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 1:18 pm Goddrick-Clarke
Goddrick-Clarke
Goddrick-Clarke

Sod off, I'm hoping he's coming in as the starter at Tigers to replace Cronin (could please Banquo upping the EQ numbers in Tigers 23).

There were rumours of interest from Exeter as well.

FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 2:08 pm

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 1:18 pm Goddrick-Clarke
Goddrick-Clarke
Goddrick-Clarke

Sod off, I'm hoping he's coming in as the starter at Tigers to replace Cronin (could please Banquo upping the EQ numbers in Tigers 23).

There were rumours of interest from Exeter as well.

its not just EQ tho....Mike Brown ffs

Jake Polledri calls it quits: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68468416

You always felt it was coming, but a shame for the poor sod after all the work he put in to come back.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:41 pm Jake Polledri calls it quits: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68468416

You always felt it was coming, but a shame for the poor sod after all the work he put in to come back.

Puj

such a shame, really good player

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:48 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:41 pm Jake Polledri calls it quits: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68468416

You always felt it was coming, but a shame for the poor sod after all the work he put in to come back.

Puj

such a shame, really good player

Big shame but at least he has something to fallback on:
https://www.justpressedcider.co.uk/

Yeah, not surprising news but horrible for him that had to drag out over however many seasons.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 5:12 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:48 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:41 pm Jake Polledri calls it quits: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68468416

You always felt it was coming, but a shame for the poor sod after all the work he put in to come back.

Puj

such a shame, really good player

Big shame but at least he has something to fallback on:
https://www.justpressedcider.co.uk/

Good lad

Which Tyler wrote: ↑Mon Mar 04, 2024 1:18 pm Goddrick-Clarke
Goddrick-Clarke
Goddrick-Clarke

... Riding through the glen?

Brantingham to Saracens next season confirmed.

With Carre also rumoured to be going to Sarries plus West, Adams-Hale and Mawi already there, I wonder if they might play Brantingham at 3. He’s played both sides plenty in youth teams.

Not sure what status is with Mako, Mawi and Adams-Hale though.

I think Mawi has one more year. Mako not sure. Adams-Hale I think is out of contract. There's some rumours that West only signed a one year deal.

Carre from Cardiff back to Sarries. Could rule him out of international contention if he doesn't pick up five more caps before he makes the switch.

FKAS wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:21 pm Carre from Cardiff back to Sarries. Could rule him out of international contention if he doesn't pick up five more caps before he makes the switch.

Gatland doesn't rate him anyway, so shrewd pickup from Sarries.

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:32 am With Carre also rumoured to be going to Sarries plus West, Adams-Hale and Mawi already there, I wonder if they might play Brantingham at 3.

I bloody hope not - we've already got Opoku-Fordjour, Fasogbon, and Sela coming through on the tighthead, so we need to keep some of our young talent on the loose.

Puja

On the upside for us Puja, we might see Tom West back at Tigers.

Quins to sign Titi Lamositele as a replacement for Will Collier who's off to Castres.

Puja wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:43 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:21 pm Carre from Cardiff back to Sarries. Could rule him out of international contention if he doesn't pick up five more caps before he makes the switch.

Gatland doesn't rate him anyway, so shrewd pickup from Sarries.

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:32 am With Carre also rumoured to be going to Sarries plus West, Adams-Hale and Mawi already there, I wonder if they might play Brantingham at 3.

I bloody hope not - we've already got Opoku-Fordjour, Fasogbon, and Sela coming through on the tighthead, so we need to keep some of our young talent on the loose.

Puja

We have Rodd, Baxter and Haffer at loosehead.

Plus Carre who will qualify for England next year I believe…

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 7:19 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:43 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:21 pm Carre from Cardiff back to Sarries. Could rule him out of international contention if he doesn't pick up five more caps before he makes the switch.

Gatland doesn't rate him anyway, so shrewd pickup from Sarries.

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2024 9:32 am With Carre also rumoured to be going to Sarries plus West, Adams-Hale and Mawi already there, I wonder if they might play Brantingham at 3.

I bloody hope not - we've already got Opoku-Fordjour, Fasogbon, and Sela coming through on the tighthead, so we need to keep some of our young talent on the loose.

Puja

We have Rodd, Baxter and Haffer at loosehead.

Plus Carre who will qualify for England next year I believe…

True on the first three, albeit Brantingham looks the most promising of those players. We are going to have a decent selection of props in a few years, if all of them develop as we hope.

Yep, lots of good scrummaging, mobile, quality props. Plus there'd also be Carre.

Puja