All will be well. One of the most impressive things this year was that, in every knock out game we won by over 2 scores, so there weren't any game in which the result was seriously in doubt into the last 10 minutes. The way we closed out games was the sign of a fantastic team.
Our spine will be nearly as good, and if we use Hampshire correctly, could be as good.
We just need a slight incremental improvement from our many developing props to be as strong in the forwards.
The 2010 model of Pat would leave a massive hole, but, as a winger he has probably gone as far as he can (if the World cup was any indication).
We will need a good place kicker. I have sufficient faith in Smith and Hampshire later on in the year, to be fairly relaxed that our coaches will sort this out.
Looking at the opposition, Saints may be marginally stronger, but they were so far back to start with I can't see them troubling. We can do to their big Samoan what good teams did to Feca. He's huge but he's no athlete.
Wire will be weaker unless they have some amazing signings up their sleeve. Myler will never be a playmaker, Ratchford is error prone and their hookers have too many miles on the clock. Nothing to fear there.
I think Leeds are the biggest threat, as their back line is very good, and they have some good young players. As many have noted, their spine has too many miles on the clock and they are over reliant on Peacock. I think overall they'll be no worse next year.
Can't wait!
