Re: Toulouse next : Tue Jul 26, 2022 5:15 pm  

Chris71 wrote: So no one back this week from injury and also minus suspended Sao and Wynne, very slim pickings indeed.. Also sounds like Mau, Griffin and Swift may well be way of returning anytime soon judging from Hodgsons comments. Connor/Smith Walker Simm Mitch McIntosh Smith/Connor Gale Evans Lovodua Brown Lane Longstaff Fash Laidlaw Taylor Balmforth Severs Taylor lucky in that he'll be in the 17 more out of necessity rather than form. As much as I'd like to see Barron or Martin on the wing not sure we have enough experience in the centre's to do it. Not sure if to keep Connor at 6 with Smith at FB or have Connor at FB with Smith at 6. Walker would be a disaster on the wing so leave him at full back and play Walker or Barron on the wing. We have played young lads on the wing before and speed and fitness will be a major factor in this game Gale is doing nothing in my opinion so play Connor and the new man Smith in the halves or move Connor to centre. Its also time to see what Simm can do at centre therefore we could move Mitch to the wing. One thing is certain he will find a position for Johnstone

Chris71 wrote: So no one back this week from injury and also minus suspended Sao and Wynne, very slim pickings indeed.. Also sounds like Mau, Griffin and Swift may well be way of returning anytime soon judging from Hodgsons comments. Connor/Smith Walker Simm Mitch McIntosh Smith/Connor Gale Evans Lovodua Brown Lane Longstaff Fash Laidlaw Taylor Balmforth Severs Taylor lucky in that he'll be in the 17 more out of necessity rather than form. As much as I'd like to see Barron or Martin on the wing not sure we have enough experience in the centre's to do it. Not sure if to keep Connor at 6 with Smith at FB or have Connor at FB with Smith at 6. Walker would be a disaster on the wing so leave him at full back and play Walker or Barron on the wing. We have played young lads on the wing before and speed and fitness will be a major factor in this game Gale is doing nothing in my opinion so play Connor and the new man Smith in the halves or move Connor to centre. Its also time to see what Simm can do at centre therefore we could move Mitch to the wing. One thing is certain he will find a position for Johnstone

Re: Toulouse next : Wed Jul 27, 2022 11:13 am  

Squad announced.
As rubbish as we've been lately those squad numbers are still crazy.

1 – Jake Connor
5 – Darnell McIntosh
7 – Luke Gale
9 – Danny Houghton
13 – Jordan Lane
14 – Joe Lovodua
16 – Kane Evans
17 – Brad Fash
20 – Jack Brown
21 – Jordan Johnstone
25 – Mitieli Vulikijapani
27 – Jacob Hookem
30 – Scott Taylor
31 – Charlie Severs
32 – Harvey Barron
34 – Davy Litten
35 – Matty Laidlaw
36 – Jack Walker
37 – Josh Simm
38 – Ellis Longstaff
40 – Will Smith

Re: Toulouse next : Wed Jul 27, 2022 11:22 am  

Tough one to call this do you play Connor centre and lose his creativity but it will be for the good of the team as we only have Mitch available, Play Smith 6 or I have a feeling we will put Lover centre. Got a feeling he might use Smith as a 13.
Walker
Mac
Mitch
Lover
Simm
Connor
Gale
Evans
Mint
Tag
Lane
Longstaff
Brown
Subs
Fash
Laidlaw
JJ
Smith

Re: Toulouse next : Wed Jul 27, 2022 11:39 am  

I'd play Simm at centre and put Barron on the wing.

[Chris71]

Re: Toulouse next : Wed Jul 27, 2022 12:43 pm  

scarrie wrote:

I'd play Simm at centre and put Barron on the wing.

Simm is a centre rather than a winger so I’d put him in at centre question is would there be enough experience with a back line of Simm and Longstaff to go with Barron on the wing . I’d prefer to start with Lovodua at 9 too. Smith probably in the halves of at 13.
I worry we end up with the likes of Houghton, Lovodua, Smith & Johnstone all in the 17 and on the field at the same time. If Houghton is the 17 then no point having JJ anywhere near the 17. Disappointing that there’s still no Balmforth but as someone alluded too maybe his fitness is sn issue though think he’d be more effective than others that get selected.

Re: Toulouse next : Wed Jul 27, 2022 2:16 pm  

I suppose it all hinges on what Hodgson does with the halves and fullback.
If its Walker, Connor and Gale then that frees up Smith to play centre or possibly even 9 with Houghton going to 13.
If Connor goes to back to FB then is it Smith and Gale in the halves?

Definitely some decisions to make.

Re: Toulouse next : Wed Jul 27, 2022 2:21 pm  

Chris71 wrote:

Simm is a centre rather than a winger so I’d put him in at centre question is would there be enough experience with a back line of Simm and Longstaff to go with Barron on the wing . I’d prefer to start with Lovodua at 9 too. Smith probably in the halves of at 13.
I worry we end up with the likes of Houghton, Lovodua, Smith & Johnstone all in the 17 and on the field at the same time. If Houghton is the 17 then no point having JJ anywhere near the 17. Disappointing that there’s still no Balmforth but as someone alluded too maybe his fitness is sn issue though think he’d be more effective than others that get selected.

Totally agree.

Simm is more of a centre and time to be fair to him and see what he can do there. Personally I would play Barron on the wing. Can’t do any worse than recent centre/wing combinations.

Get the feeling though we will just go with the more experienced players, out of position, and nothing will change. Another disappointing performance incoming?

Re: Toulouse next : Wed Jul 27, 2022 2:38 pm  

scarrie wrote:

I suppose it all hinges on what Hodgson does with the halves and fullback.
If its Walker, Connor and Gale then that frees up Smith to play centre or possibly even 9 with Houghton going to 13.
If Connor goes to back to FB then is it Smith and Gale in the halves?

Definitely some decisions to make.

No doubt as usual he will make the wrong decisions instead of playing players in their normal positions and i would play Barron on the wing but he wont.
Simm is a centre so play him there
Mitch came as a wing so play him there if he wont select Barron
Connor to centre

Then its Smith and Gale in the halves

Forwards lightweight but we have little choice
I would still not play Johnstone.Total waste of time and considering he is going surely time to give another younger player a run
No cdoubt we will see Lovodua in another position on Friday

Re: Toulouse next : Wed Jul 27, 2022 3:59 pm  

Walker
Barron/Litten
Mitch
Simm
Mcintosh

Connor
Gale

Evans
Houghton
Fash
Lane
Lovodua
Brown

Laidlaw
Taylor
Longstaff
Smith

Think Smith will be on the bench, just a hunch going off BH press conference

Re: Toulouse next : Wed Jul 27, 2022 4:14 pm  

I'd be disappointed if Smith started on the bench. We need a good start and he'll be one of the most experienced players in the team.