It looks like we’ll have no games to talk about for a while so I thought it might be interesting to cast our thoughts forward to next season.

As far as I can see Auterac, Sinckler and Robshaw are the confirmed leavers so far. With Louw and Esterhuizen coming in (and of course Ashton having already arrived). Are there any other confirmed deals?

Here’s a breakdown of our squad and my thoughts.

Loosehead:
Current - Marler, Botta, Lambert,
I’m hoping Head is ready to step up to the first team squad as 4th choice. If Lambert is hanging up his boots he needs replacing (anyone heard anything?), I would look for a top young player to compete with Botta now and eventually replace Marler.

Hooker:
Current - Elia, Baldwin, Crumpton, Buchanan, Musk
I think this is one of our weaker areas and I would like to see Buchanan and Crumpton both released (contract permitting) and a quality signing brought in who can be 1st choice. The question is, who is available? Musk stepping up to be 4th choice.

Tighthead:
Current - Louw, Collier, Kerrod, Swainston, Sasonne
This is an area I feel we lack strength in depth. I would look to bring in a 2nd choice TH who can really compete with Louw and release Swainston and Kerrod (contract permitting). We also have a young lad coming through the academy who could be a bright prospect for the future - Fin Baxter - anyone know anything?

2nd Row:
Current - Symons, Lewies, Cavubati, Young, Freeman, Tizard
We look stronger than in recent seasons. If someone top class is available (like Nakarawa) we should go after them. Otherwise no change.

Back row:
Current - Chisholm, Clifford, Dombrandt, Kunatani, Evans, Lawday, Bothma, Lamb, White
I think we have great depth here and wouldn’t make any changes. Bothma could be leaving? If he does I would replace him with a cheap option, maybe an academy player but I don’t know who that would be.

Scrum half:
Current - Care, Landajo, Saunders
Another problem area, Care and Landajo are both quite old and Landajo hasn’t been great in my opinion. I think we need someone now who can play backup to Care for a season and then replace him long term.

Fly half:
Current - Smith, Lang, Herron
No changes.

Centre:
Current - Esterhuizen, Marchant, Tapuai, Saili, Lasike, Campagnaro, Northmore
We look very strong here when everyone is fit. I’m hoping we can free up some cap by releasing Saili and Tapuai.

Wing:
Current - Ashton, Earle, Ibitoye, Murley, Goneva, Ismael,
Another area of strength. Again, I would free up some cap space by releasing Goneva and Ismael if possible (hopefully one year contracts?)

Fullback:
Current - Brown, Morris, Chisholm, Lynagh
We are well stocked here in my opinion.  Could Lynagh come good over the next few seasons and be the long term replacement for Brown?


What positions do you think we are weak or strong in?
Who would you like to see us sign (position or specific player)?
Which of our academy guys do you think can make the step up this year or in the near future?

I had totally forgotten about Gray! How long is signed for? I would let him go if we can.

I can see why you would want more centres given our current predicament but with Lang and maybe even Herron able to cover there, I think 2 would be excessive. We will have Marchant back as well. I wouldn’t mind one squad filler though.

Edit: what about Penney? Is he just for this season?

Ashton's deal is through to the end of next season.

My take

LH

Marler, Botta

Out Lambert, Auterac

In Linked with Jordan Els from Ealing.  Im not sure Head is still playing LH, seems to be playing HK much more recently.  Could do with another young LH to come in

HK

Ellia, Baldwin, Musk Riley (Academy)

Out Buchana, Crumpton, Gray.

Linked with Matt Cornish from Ealing.  Happy with that. 

TH

Collier, Louw, Kerrod.  I like Kerrod, looks a good young player

Out Swainston, Sinckler, Sassone (Not sure Sassone will stay, just a hunch i have)

In Craig Trenier from Ealing

LOCK

Lewies, Symons, Cavabatu, Lamb, Young, Tizard, Hammond (Both Hammond and Tizard have been playing together from Eng U20s.  Look a good combination.  Hammond more athletic, Tizard more the "Muscle")

Out Freeman

In ** see below

BR

Dombrandt, Chisholm, Lawday, Evans, Clifford, White (sure he has another year). Kenningham, James.  Im a big fan of Kenningahm.  Him and Musk were the two that caught my eye for the A team. 

Out Robshaw, Semi, Bothma

In ** I think this is where we might see a big name come in.  Someone who is comfortable playing LK or BR. 

FH

Lang, Smith, Herron. All good there

SH

Care, Landajo, Saunders.  Cant really see any change here.  Care and Landajo are both big earners I expect, not sure another big name will come in until one of those goes.  Could well both end up leaving at the same time (end of next season)

Out
Wheeldon, Munro.

In Possible we may look to bring in another youngster, maybe from the Champ

Centre

Taps, Estherhuizen. Marchant, Lasike, Northmore, Anyanwu, Barlow (although he is also a winger). Campagnero (Doubt we will see him much though)  Lang can also do the bizz here. Pretty well stocked here.  Could possibly let Taps go but I think he is a good player

Out

Sailli, Penney.
 

Wing

Gabs, Earle (hopefully, although I do wonder), Ashton, Murley, Barlow

Out Goneva and Ismael (although I suspect Ismael may have another year)

In None unless Earle leaves.

FB

Brown, Chisholm, Morris, Lynagh, Ashton can also play here.

Not sure we will see much change here. Cant see a big name coming in until Brown goes.

No idea in terms of inside info if those moves are still on, but I have seen it mentioned in a couple of places.  If they are not, I would expect similar type players though.  Both the props (along with Louw) seem to have good reputations as scrummagers, which I am happy about. 

In terms of cap space, I would guess we would have a decent bit left but where to spend is tricky.  LH, SH and FB are 3 positions that I think the current first choice (Marler, Care and Brown) are sorted, the quality after is so so (although LH I would be happy to have Marler, Botta, Els and a promising youngster).  Problem is, I dont see a big name player coming in to sit behind Brown and Care, and salary wise, are Care and Brown too big earners not to be starting (if that makes sense).  HK I am happy with, Ellia and Musk have been excellent, Cornish, if he comes would be a welcome addition.  I would not want another big name coming in and limiting their game time (Elli and Musk have thrived because of their game time). Baldwin is the issue as I would guess he is another big earner but not currently earning his corn. 

If I was to say where would another big name be best spent on, I would like a top class 9, just not sure that will happen while Care is around.

There could be some good solid squad options available from the Championship since the funding cuts were announced. This could save some cap money for a top quality player or two. Hopefully immune to injury.

For me, a scrum half would be welcome. If we have space under the salary cap, do all we can to keep Semi. We could offload a hooker or two, as they surely can't all break next season? Centres are well stocked. Sailli will go I think, and maybe Taps - great player, but we can't have loads of centres (we're not Sarries). Taps isn't getting much game time and we need to be giving game time to the younger guys to develop.
Bothma will go, I think, and probably Ismael. In terms of game time, they're not getting many minutes (none in Bothma's case). Unlike some, I'm happy with Murley. Deceptively strong and reads the game well, always looking for work, and seems to be a nuisance to the oppo with ball in hand.
Possibly lock is an area to shore up, but I'd hate to think that we were looking to sign players for the sake of it, if they don't bring something to the squad or if they won't get game time.
Biggest imperative for me - KEEP SEMI!!!

Tapuai was often first choice when not injured. I reckon he's played plenty for us. Stats could prove me wrong though

We could really do with strengthening at wing, full back and scrum half.