Squad 19/20

[Tichtheid]

We've already signed Murray Douglas to cover the short-fall at lock during the World Cup!

So we have, I completely forgot about him.

[joe soap]

Is anyone (prob RoyC!) able to do an updated squad list of who is out of contract in the summer? Im too thick/lazy to work it out and keep up with the releases.

he's still trying to convince himself about another budget cut.

I won't comment on the second sentence.

[STKS]

Well Magic Monday was pretty good fun, imagine they are wanting to create a bit more hype before Munster, probably to push us over the record, we reached 30K 10 days ago, need to find another 7,889 from somewhere.

Some leavers will probably be announced soon i imagine, Fowels, Kennedy, Hoyland, Brown, Ford. Maybe Hamilton or another back row, weegies seem to want Richie or Maggie but i don't see that happening. Fife possibly at risk too?

Kennedy and Hoyland are very popular in the squad and well liked, hope we don't loose too much as a club by letting them go, but you obviously can't use that as justification for letting them stay. Still, we've added some big characters this year - Schoeman and Barclay being.

Also, not to blow my own trumpet but...

I can envisage us doing something like Bristol did this year with a crazy day of announcements that shows up all over social media right before season tickets go on sale.

[royc]

Is anyone (prob RoyC!) able to do an updated squad list of who is out of contract in the summer? Im too thick/lazy to work it out and keep up with the releases.

he's still trying to convince himself about another budget cut.

I won't comment on the second sentence.

A failure to increase the budget in line with squad wage inflation is... err... a cut by any other name! We've had one for 3 years now IIRC.

However, Cockers is making the budget work hard, as per today's signings...

[Crichton Gunner]

Maybe scrum half announcement being held back for ST launch. If we don't qualify for next season's big cup we'll all be in need of some good news around that time.

[royc]

'Ere, Mr Cockers, I can't keep up with all these new signings!

It is brilliant that, for the second year in a row, the squad is just about done and dusted a month before end of season, what a change from many previous years! Cockers is a real steady hand at the tiller.

Very enthused by today's batch of signings and great in particular to have two speedy Gonzales fellows joining the back 3 - that's it, the box-kicking-led attack days have to be numbered! Hooray!

I make the current picture of the squad as follows:

[biffer]

The D still like to see additional full back cover.

[borderflanker]

Seemingly Cockers very irritated with Sheebas attitude and small niggly injuries hampering his ability to be involved , he`s not getting his contract renewed.

[Tichtheid]

Seemingly Cockers very irritated with Sheebas attitude and small niggly injuries hampering his ability to be involved , he`s not getting his contract renewed.

Sheeba?

[Wottie]

Sheeba?

Don’t know but I’m guessing that could be Hoyland?

[Cammo Gunner]

Sheeba?

Don’t know but I’m guessing that could be Hoyland?

Kennedy

[robdinsdale]

Sheeba?

Don’t know but I’m guessing that could be Hoyland?

Kennedy

Makes sense with his number of appearances.

Frustrating really, he has plenty of ability but he hasn't consistently shown it.

[disco]

I see royc has you covered on the squad composition for next season but if you fancy reading my thoughts on where things stand + the 2019/20 Depth Chart with just the confirmed players then click below:

https://wp.me/p68WtH-8bm

[TheSmidge]

I see royc has you covered on the squad composition for next season but if you fancy reading my thoughts on where things stand + the 2019/20 Depth Chart with just the confirmed players then click below:

https://wp.me/p68WtH-8bm

Good analysis Disco and pretty much in line with my thoughts. We expect that CHH and big Pietro will re-sign, and that at least one scrum-half will be brought in. Though in the latter respect, I could see Frostwick becoming the 4th choice next year so only 1 signing would be needed.

If that all happens as expected, I can see the biggest gap being cover at 15. With both new Fijedinburghers (well, we need a version of Fiji-weegies) being primarily signed as wingers, I struggle to see Hoyland getting renewed. Fife has not been as effective a fill-in at 15 as hoped, with Brown looking more assured in his recent appearance. But they are both wingers who can cover 15. I'm not convinced that either Hoyland or Brown will be resigned, so I reckon we are in the market for someone who is a 15 first of all, and can play wing if needed, not the other way around.

[biffer]

I see royc has you covered on the squad composition for next season but if you fancy reading my thoughts on where things stand + the 2019/20 Depth Chart with just the confirmed players then click below:

https://wp.me/p68WtH-8bm

Good analysis Disco and pretty much in line with my thoughts. We expect that CHH and big Pietro will re-sign, and that at least one scrum-half will be brought in. Though in the latter respect, I could see Frostwick becoming the 4th choice next year so only 1 signing would be needed.

If that all happens as expected, I can see the biggest gap being cover at 15. With both new Fijedinburghers (well, we need a version of Fiji-weegies) being primarily signed as wingers, I struggle to see Hoyland getting renewed. Fife has not been as effective a fill-in at 15 as hoped, with Brown looking more assured in his recent appearance. But they are both wingers who can cover 15. I'm not convinced that either Hoyland or Brown will be resigned, so I reckon we are in the market for someone who is a 15 first of all, and can play wing if needed, not the other way around.

I'd agree - good analysis but mostly omits the need for full back cover.