It also states that we have signed Matt James, and seeing as he is in the training squad photos from yesterday, it makes you wonder when the club is going to announce it formally...
looking at other threads, it seems 90% of last years squad has gone,i.e.
Griffin,Johnson G ,Korkidas, Byaymire, Murphy, Hickey, Gledhil, George, Rinaldi, Lee, Dean, Tadulala, Vievers, Henderson, King, Smith J, Tongia?(17) incoming Fox, Cockayne, Collis, Mellars, John, Smith T, Wilkes, Amor, Raleigh, Ellis, Washbrook, Lautiti, Southern,Masseleot,Kirmond(15) plus retained- Morton, Penny, Hyde, Walshaw,Moore, Wildie, Davey, Morrison, Higgins, Mariano, Johnson P, Haworth,Tony(13) etc from 2011 17 out 15 in approx plus 13 retained. Also Jordan James and other rumours! Amazing new squad.
We have always had a revolving door but this must be the biggest ever turnover for us, unless you know different. Incoming players have much more class and experience. Can't wait.
Prop Wilkes, Amor, Higgins, P Johnson?, Raleigh?, Spiers
Hooker Ellis, Davey
Second Row Mariano, Southern, Masselot, Kirmond, Trout
Loose Morrison, Washbrook, Haworth
Not sure whether I've missed anyone or where some of these are going to play but it looks to me like we are still light on the wing and possibly at prop depending on where Johnson and Raleigh are expecting to play. Rumours abound that Penny has been released and that Haworth maybe on his way. Currently that is 30 players, a couple out maybe and a couple in to come.
Overall, looks a decent squad but we're still up against it to try and make the playoffs next year, just hope that people will give them time to gel and not set expectations too high.
Penny won't simply be released. Why would this be in his interests? He won't simply walk away from paid and guarenteed employment unless he has something else lined up, or compensation from us and the prospect of something else lined up.
Not sure if many will agree with me here but i thought Johnson looked better at prop than he did at second row and he looked to be trying to bulk up through the year? if he does this in pre season with Martin Clawsons help he could be a very good prop and with him and Amor starting with Wilkes and a good big prop on the bench with Raleigh and Higgins to back up wouldnt that be enough at prop? any more and we could just be overloading.
Difficult to keep track isnt it. Fordy missed out Kyle Wood and 68 missed out Morrison. Just tried it myself . Almost impossible to remember everyone. How are the coaching team going to cope at first. Er you whats your name stand here. Tommy take first receiver. Oops hes gone.
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