As transfer windows go for saints, it's woeful, but as a squad management project, it's actually pretty good. None of the depatures except Lawes are nailed on first choice. The Wallers are 2nd and 4th choice behind Iyogun and Haffar. Hill is arguably 3rd choice after Davidson and Millar Mills, and Ed Prowse is already getting minutes as his replacement. Cruse at the moment is the 4th choice behind Langdon, Matavesi, and Robbie Smith. Alex Moon, i think, is a starter, but it's close between him and Mayanavanua to play next to Coles, and Chunya munga and Tom Lockett are already squad players capable of filling his shoes. Savala was 3rd choice behind Fin Smith and Furbank, and was in competition with Joel Matavesi for the emergency replacement shirt anyway. Gabe Hamer-Webb was only signed because the entire backline was called up to the six nations squad. I'd rather give the minutes to glister and garside. The elephant in the room is obviously Courtney Lawes and Lewis Ludlam. How do you replace the Goat and your Captain? Well, the first thing to point out is that the current back row situation is extremely strong. At 6, Angus Scott Young (who some have compared to the playing style of michael hooper), will have to attempt to fill the courtney Lawes shaped chasm, both in his tackling and line out option. Kemeny, the incoming can play at 6,7, and 8. Tom pearson can also play across the back row, as can Sam Graham, who has been a monster this season. Juarno augsustas has been peak B. Vunipola esq this year as the main heavy carrier, but beyond him, there isn't a great first carry option. What saints are losing in Ludlum and Lawes are some of the intangible qualities that are so key in a sport like rugby. They're the 2 end of the spectrum for leaders. Lawes is all focus and quality and lead by example. Ludlum is blood and thunder and primal. There's a leadership group at Saints, which includes Alex Coles, Furbank, and Fin Smith. These guys will ve key if saints are to get anywhere near their standard this season. There is a very exciting young player who has got a lot of attention at u20 for england in the back row, and that is Henry Pollock.
Saints Pollock will replace Ludlum. Kemeny for Lawes. Wright for Cruses. Lockett for Moon. Iyogen and Haffar for the Waller Brothers, but we'll need another loosehead. Hill will need replacing at tighthead. Savala has been impressive and Hamer-Webb was only signed for one game.
could only have been improved by showing the actual lists at the end of each team. Something for August. its nice to see this kind of depth of analysis, Sarries come out of this looking strong which will of course cause the standard comments but I'm not sure any of the incoming match the costs of the outgoing.
I think they hope that Savala will stay as the second 10 and that Pollock can breakthrough this season to cover another back rower - as for lock, it’s pretty thin!!
