Problem Positions

[Cameo]

I think we now probably have at least one decent playerin every position even if some could improve. Depth however is a real worry in some at the top level. I like the u20s but where do we think we really need a find.

Front row - good first choice and some potential. Really need Fagerson, McInally/Brown and Sutherland/Allan to develop so we are confident with them starting. At the moment we are one injury from a crisis

Second row - same especially with Gilchrist out but I really like Cummins and I suspect he will come through quite quickly.

Back row - Got a lot of decent players but a lack of standouts especially ball carriers although Cornell dp will (unfortunately) help. I think Ritchie might take a while and not sure on any of the other u20s

Scrum half - hard to say. I think Pyrgos is getting better and better but SHC still has some developing to do. Price and Horne will hopefully come through.

Fly Half - only one option im happy with starting but at least two u20s with lots of potential. Need them to be getting game time and possibly allow Horne more time at ten.

Centre - very happy

Back Three - a big worry for me. I really like the first choice but Maitland aside Im not convinced by the backup or the youngsters coming through. I like Jones but hel never be more than average at international level. The youngsters have yet to convince though one of Hoyland, Farndale or the u20s might step up. Kinghorn might also be a full back option fairly soon.

Where do we think the real issues are and where will sort itself out?

[Donny osmond]

Basically agree. We're essentially 1 injury away from crisis in most areas except centre. Not sure we're ever going to have strength in depth in any meaningful sense.

Biggest concern for me is back row. If we're relying on project players to step up we're in deep trouble. If our best back row in 12 months is Hardie, Strauss and CDP some pretty serious questions need asked.

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[ARM]

We need another Test level winger.

Seymour is Test quality. But not much outside of that. Maitland is inconsistent and has never quite lived up to original billing. The Irish targeted Visser remorselessly in the air and he failed badly.

We were always going to struggle badly in ball-carrying without Johhny G. I think the dual openside can work against certain teams but CdP/ Ashe etc need to come through as 6/8 options where hopefully Denton can stop being a perma crock and Strauss has shown some signs that he might be able to step up. Wilson is never going to cut it against higher ranked sides.

Weir is never going to make Test 10. Brave as you like but he doesn't have the distribution or arrogance to lead the line.

Plus we need to get on better juice.

[Matt Ha]

I think Jones, or even Hoyland, could prosper in the current team. When Jones played before it was for a team that struggled to find cohesion in attack: something, for all its other faults, the new team can't be faulted on.

[Big D]

We are always going to have problems given the fact we only have 2 pro teams - particularly developing back up front rows.

We badly need Pyrgos and SH-C to start performing to at least put pressure on Laidlaw.

I wouldn't be too keen on a back row with two pure project players in it, but when you have other nations openly allocating spots on their pro teams for project players then until the WR step in we play by the same rules.

As it stands I doubt we will see both Strauss, Barclay and Cowan at the next world cup together. They will be 33 that year.
We do have:
6/8 - Denton is only 26, CdP 24, Ashe 22, the U20 boys, Harley 25, Wilson 26,
Hardie 27, Watson 24,

I'd also expect, sadly, that in about a years time the press will start talking about Manu as a potential option.

We need to find big ball carriers in the pack.

[Matt Ha]

How old is du Preez?

[Big D]

How old is du Preez?

24. 25 this week according to Wiki.

[Matt Ha]

He's pretty good with ball in hand and can actually pass.

[General Zod]

Reverse cowboy and there's no really problem position as such, it's more strength in depth.

[Mikey Brown]

Reverse cowboy

Are you saying what it seems like you're saying?

[Mikey Brown]

I started a thread before the 6 nations I think, I can't find it now, on where we could really do with developing. Its frustrating to see all the same issues now. Largely the starting front 5 is great but cover is nowhere near, who plays 6/8, quality cover at halfback and ideally another top quality back 3 player or too.

It's annoying that we haven't really found solutions to any of that. Flicked between Denton/Wilson/Strauss to no end, gave SHC/Jackson near negligible game time and saw that, once again, Lamont is sadly a bit over the hill.

Some promising moments from front row replacements but nothing substantial to go on there.

[Chunks Baws]

Nel and Dicko shouldn't tour imo. They've played a shit load of minutes this season for club and country. The tour is then an ideal place to bring on the younger guys and get them some good game time. I'd leave Ford behind too, none of our reserve front rows have had enough international minutes and they need it.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Nel and Dicko shouldn't tour imo. They've played a shit load of minutes this season for club and country. The tour is then an ideal place to bring on the younger guys and get them some good game time. I'd leave Ford behind too, none of our reserve front rows have had enough international minutes and they need it.

I agree - along with a few other players. Time for Cotter to show he can cut the mustard as a squad selector too.

[Big D]

I disagree. It's only a two game tour. And there will be a chance to rest between the last Edinburgh game (07/05) and the tour. And then after it.

Good chance to get sight of Japan before the world cup and they will notionally have more ranking points (home team get +3) so a good chance to steal ranking points too.

By all means have some newer faces in the starting line up but we must win the two games on tour. We need to get into the habit of winning.

You'd learn more about Rambo by playing him with Nel and Dicko, or more about Sutherland by playing him with Nel and Ford.

I'd also rather Fagerson went with the 20s.