Squad 22/23

[Friday Knight Lights]

Brown looked like a good 6/8 when he played for Edinburgh, as said already im not sure he is big enough for the second row.

A good update on injuries from Mike Blair this morning, promising on Mata and Ritchie in particualr but also Venter and Immelman. De Bruin sounds like the one struggling a bit, which is in a position where we are already a bit light on quality. Hopefully Williams will get a bit more game time and continue to improve.

Interesting that Robbie Deans is also specifically name checked by Blair as well in that video, particularly given that De Bruin is the one that is furthest away from a return. Suggests we may see him feature in one of the pre-season games, at least to see if he’s anywhere near being able to make a small contribution this year. Still very young for a prop, especially a tighthead!

I think he mentioned Deans as he was asked about the academy. It doesn't sound like he's actually training with the team yet and Blair mentioned all 3 new academy lads in the answer (McConnell and Douglas).

[Croft_No.6]

How long is Bofelli's contract......

[Tichtheid]

How long is Bofelli's contract......

I assume it's up this coming season, we will need to dig deep to keep him.

He was absolutely top drawer today and the most important part of the Pumas' win against New Zealand.

The thing that impressed me most about Boff was not his play in the park for us, it was in the videos from the changing rooms after the games and how much he enjoyed the wins and how he really is a part of the squad, his emotions were intense and real.


On another note, I see we've signed 23 year old fly half Bruce Houston on a partnership with The Nails.
He's made one appearance for Ulster.

IIRC, Nathan Chamberlain was considered to be ahead of Ross Thompson for Scotland U20s

[doedin]

How long is Bofelli's contract......

Not long enough! He is quality through and through. I imagine there was a few French eyes watching that game yesterday unfortunately.

[JDCSR]

How long is Bofelli's contract......

I assume it's up this coming season, we will need to dig deep to keep him.

He was absolutely top drawer today and the most important part of the Pumas' win against New Zealand.

The thing that impressed me most about Boff was not his play in the park for us, it was in the videos from the changing rooms after the games and how much he enjoyed the wins and how he really is a part of the squad, his emotions were intense and real.


On another note, I see we've signed 23 year old fly half Bruce Houston on a partnership with The Nails.
He's made one appearance for Ulster.

IIRC, Nathan Chamberlain was considered to be ahead of Ross Thompson for Scotland U20s

Wasn't Chamberlain just a year older and therefore further ahead in his development.

[Tichtheid]

How long is Bofelli's contract......

I assume it's up this coming season, we will need to dig deep to keep him.

He was absolutely top drawer today and the most important part of the Pumas' win against New Zealand.

The thing that impressed me most about Boff was not his play in the park for us, it was in the videos from the changing rooms after the games and how much he enjoyed the wins and how he really is a part of the squad, his emotions were intense and real.


On another note, I see we've signed 23 year old fly half Bruce Houston on a partnership with The Nails.
He's made one appearance for Ulster.

IIRC, Nathan Chamberlain was considered to be ahead of Ross Thompson for Scotland U20s

Wasn't Chamberlain just a year older and therefore further ahead in his development.

It’s the other way around, Chamberlain’s a year younger than Thompson

[JDCSR]

It’s the other way around, Chamberlain’s a year younger than Thompson

Oh gosh right you are, apologies.

[dolf_lundgren]

Mike Blair stating that Duhan, Suzz and Muzza are all coming home.*








*May not have actually said this, did say he would work hard to stretch budget to get them is Worcester go belly up.

[Croft_No.6]

DVDM Linked with Racing 92 it seems

[liveinhope]

I imagine racing could more readily give Duhan a contract along the lines of his current salary (widely publicised when he moved at c. 325k pa I think!). Much happier for Racing to take the load on that rather than Edinburgh/SRU budgets!
Clearly the Worcester situation needs to be sorted within the next 48/72 hours as my understanding is the players become free agents if they don't receive their August salaries by Wednesday.

[doedin]

I imagine racing could more readily give Duhan a contract along the lines of his current salary (widely publicised when he moved at c. 325k pa I think!). Much happier for Racing to take the load on that rather than Edinburgh/SRU budgets!
Clearly the Worcester situation needs to be sorted within the next 48/72 hours as my understanding is the players become free agents if they don't receive their August salaries by Wednesday.

Yep this is my understanding too. However I suspect any new owners will rather this happens and they take the point deduction and look to reduce the player wage bill. They will then step in asap and retain the players they need and can afford and use this season to re establish the club and squad on basis they will not be relegated anyway. I also understand that all other club staff other than players, coaches, physio etc have already been made redundant. New investors want to reduce running costs to bare minimum so they can start again. It is highly likely that big earners such as VdM and Suzza will not be retained.

[dolf_lundgren]

The new owners want the club put into administration before putting in an offer, I assume so they can do a deal with creditors rather than take on the full debt. But will almost certainly lead to relegation.

[Friday Knight Lights]

Duhan, Boff, Graham, Goosen is almost too good.

[robdinsdale]

The new owners want the club put into administration before putting in an offer, I assume so they can do a deal with creditors rather than take on the full debt. But will almost certainly lead to relegation.

I thought there wasn't any relegation these days from the Premiership?

[dolf_lundgren]

Hmm, cant remember if it was just for last season, but you may well be right.

in which case it does make more sense, write off the season and start again with no debt.

Apparently they are also looking to merge with Wasps, not sure of the benefits, when LS and Richmond "merged" with LI, it just meant 2 of them disappeared and the other saw little benefit.