Now it has sunk in just how good this team/squad became over the season, maybe we should also recall that we didn't quite fight all fronts equally. Remembering the Ulster game, and one or two others, we put out slightly lower quality teams presumably so we could focus on getting into the top four. That seems like a stroke of genius now - it worked out for us!
But what will happen next season? Fighting hard on both a domestic and European front, and possibly supplying players for international matches (e.g. 6 Nations), is a really demanding schedule. Will our squad depth stand up to those demands and still enable us to deliver competitive performances? Winning performances?
We’ll have to see. For what it’s worth, I think just staying competitive in the GP will be challenging next year - Tigers and Saints are fast improving, Saracens will be back and once they have readjusted to the pace will be dangerous, and that’s on top of Exeter, Bristol and Sale - who let’s remember are in a similar position to Quins having changed DoR mid season.
Against that, you have to set the change in salary cap, which means that most squads will be a bit smaller and a bit more reliant on academy players coming through.
I think Quins have shown this year that they can cope with losing a few key players, even against the best opposition, and we potentially have good cover in most positions. Post-Gustard, the bad losses were when we put out a team of 13+ backup players and every other game was LBP territory or better.
If I were DoR, I think I’d aim to get out of the blocks quickly and establish a strong position in the Premiership. Then we have a favourable draw in the EPCC, and then the Autumn Internationals. As the dust settles on 2021, I’d take stock of where we were and look at how well the squad played while our England players were away, how we were positioned in the two competitions and decide which to prioritise.
In theory, it's a challenge the club should relish and given our seeding this should be the season to take a real crack at getting out of the Heineken Cup group stage, but can't help feeling that the reduced salary cap will mean a few years of French dominance in European competition.
Agree with poorfour that the GP will be tougher next year. You can make a case for most sides being stronger, based on new coaches having a full pre-season and known signings thus far.
Judging by the way our youngsters have performed, I’m not worried at all.
I think it’s clear we have some new players to announce. I’d still like to see another hooker (I’m devastated Baldwin is leaving) , second row, fly half and utility back. You could make a good case for another back row option, especially a bulky one who can play 8.
By the sounds of the rumours, Walker will fill the hooker hole, CSW the lock apparently, Jones utility, fly half still looking ropey for me. So if these are true I’d be buzzing. We’d then be looking at front three players being in each position:
Marler, Els, Botta
Walker, Gray, Musk/Riley
Louw, Collier, Kerrod
Symons, tizard, CSW
Lewies, Lamb, Kenningham (may be short a second row looking at it on paper even with CSW)
Chisholm, Lawday, white
Evans, Kenningham, Wallace
Dombrandt, [chisholm], (need another number 8 option for me)
Care, Steele, Stafford
Smith, Allen, Edwards
Morris, R Chisholm (rumours that Gabs is looking for a way back to Quins too, think we need him looking at the number despite a few academy guys floating around
Esterhuizen, Lasike, Jones
Marchant, Northmore
Lynagh, Murley
Green, david
Hammond is also a very talented second row in the academy. He has had game time in the prem this year. But yes we need strengthening. However, I can't see any big names signing.
CSW is about as good as it gets.
I hope I'm wrong.
Would love to see Gabs back at the club. He is an immense talent.
Scotland centre Huw Jones is considering a contract offer from newly-crowned Premiership champions Harlequins.
How people feel if this was true.
By the sounds of the rumours, Walker will fill the hooker hole, CSW the lock apparently, Jones utility, fly half still looking ropey for me. So if these are true I’d be buzzing.
Some rumour-mongers seem very confident that CSW is coming to Quins. But he hasn't played union for some time has he? Does anyone remember what he was like when he last played the beautiful game?
From what I remember, CSW was looking pretty promising before he left for the NFL. An absolute unit who would really put his size to use. His athleticism would have only increased being involved in the NFL so I’d be happy to take him on as a back up to Symons/Lewies and rotate with Lamb/Tizard/Hammond
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