by doedin on Mon Mar 13, 2017 12:54 pm
If true the signing of Nel would be fantastic news in yet an otherwise miserable season. We just need to make sure the likes of Nel, Dickinson and Bennet get over the injuries and are fit and ready for next season. Whilst this season has been a bit of a disaster we have seen a number of young guys get some invaluable experience under their belt whilst the senior guys have been injured. The likes of Bradbury, Ritchie, McCallum and Cosgrove have all stood up well and it could be argued have been let down by their more senior colleagues. However they are beginning to look tired and struggling mentally with the string of losses. Even allowing for a few leaving and a few new signings the basics of the pack look ok for next season, as long as we don't have the same run of injuries as we had this season! Perhaps a big ball carrier in the back row ... seems I say that every year!
However even with Bennet coming we still look thin on the ground and lacking talent in the backs. Our SHs collectively dont look good enough, we need a decent back up to Weir, perhaps a good young guy coming through, another centre or two and an experienced winger/FB. I am assuming we will see a few second string backs let go given their lack of game time and obvious lack of trust in them by Hodge, who will remain as backs coach.
Cockerill should get the pack working as a cohesive unit and become more than the sum of the parts, something that has been badly missing this year. He will also make sure we defend aggressively. However he has a bit of work to do in getting the squad sorted out and bringing in a few decent backs signings.