Ye Gods that's an average looking side
I would be delighted with average. That is a side that looks doomed for relegation.
As for who will start -- as usual Clifford, Salli, Chisholm, Cat will not start. They will play a game around November, get injured and as usual be out for the rest of the season. Some players are just blighted by injury through no fault of their own but they are a drain on the club.
On paper it’s a solid team:
Front row all internationals with the Sinck on the bench
Second row if Horwill plays not so sad
Back row pretty solid if Robshaw has had a decent rest
Halfbacks potential to be brilliant, potential to run sideways and panic
Centres probably the weakest area of the team but Sales centres are not the greatest either
Back 3 pretty strong.
That said if the team plays like last year they’ll get smashed!