So assuming Botta & Landajo are in the Jags squad , Campagnaro is off with Italy, Brownie, Sink, Marler and Dombrandt (long shot) are with England, Lasike USA, Semi with Fiji, Bothma with Namibia, what is our starting 15 going to look like?
Well here’s my attempt (it’s June and I’m bored);
1. Nick Auterac
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Will Collier
4. Stephen Lewies
5. Matt Symons
6. Jack Clifford
7. Chris Robshaw
8. James Chisholm
9. Danny Care
10. Marcus Smith
11. Gabs Ibitoye
12. Francis Sialli
13. Joe Marchant
14. Cadan Murley
15. Aaron Morris
16. Max Crumpton
17. Simon Kerrod
18. Mark Lambert
19. Freeman/Young
20. Evans/Lawday
21. Charlie Mulchrone
22. James Lang
23. Tapuai/Northmore/Chis Snr
My notes are that if Marler goes to Japan we are really short at prop! We have some academy guys but they have zero 1st team experience and an injury here or there could leave us exposed.
Wing is also very short on options.
If and it’s a big if, Marcus where to get drafted in (more likely for the 6Ns) then we are thin at FH.
Centre is really strong for us! Sialli, Taps, Marchant and Northmore could make some nice combinations (Northmore’s highlight reels on YouTube remind of Dombrandt, a man playing against boys).
Back row is also an area of strength so many combinations it’s scary.
Overall I think we will see another LH signed or a real commitment to blooding the Academy boys, I can’t see how we can not sign a winger. If we don’t and we get an injury I think I might as well take my boots to the game! (Clearly a joke, I would obviously cover fly half). Other than that I think we are probably set and assuming we can avoid an injury crisis I’m really excited about this squad.