by New Gunner on Wed May 17, 2017 5:42 pm
Recap on ins / outs (assuming Bresler staying):
Leaving:
Alex Northam (W, NSQ)
Jack Cosgrove (LH)
Kyle Whyte (TH)
Michael Allen (C, NSQ)
Nasi Manu (BR, NSQ)
Nick Beavon (TH)
Sasa Tofilau (C, NSQ)
Will Helu (C, NSQ)
8 total, 4 backs 4 forwards, 5 NSQ, 2 could be considered 'academy graduate' types, 1 international (not Scotland).
Joining:
Ally Miller (BR)
Callum Hunter-Hill (L)
Darcy Graham (FB / W)
Duhan van der Merwe (W, NSQ)
Hugh Fraser (SH)
Mark Bennett (C)
Tom Galbraith (C, FB, SO)
7 total, 5 backs 2 forwards, 1 NSQ, 5 are academy graduates, 1 international (Scotland). Haven't included Murray McCallum as he's been around the team for most of the season, even though only on an academy deal (but signed pro for next season).
A clear pattern - signing young SQ U20s, mainly backs - very little tinkering with the forwards, Cockers clearly believes it isn't the raw material that's the problem there.
Squad of 43, tend to agree we will probably end up with 45, maybe 46. The main salaries we've freed up are Manu, Helu and Allen. To balance that, we've got Bennett and van der Merwe, plus I suspect large uplifts for Watson, Nel and a few others. So any further signings will underline increased investment in the team by the SRU. Assuming Robbie Freuan is one (he'll be in a big wedge) then I'm not sure there will be much left in the kitty - although maybe Cockers has pushed them to commit to more. We need a young / academy loosehead, and either a young stand-off or back three, depending whether RC sees Kinghorn as covering / converting to 10. Interesting that BK was at 10 for the U20s with Josh Henderson at 15 - an experiment?