Squad for 21/22 Season

The chat around those two was last summer before Myler signed and before we knew Anscombe would return and agree a 12 month extension Thetwo NZ'ers are both out and out first choice players. Bearing in mind we have now extended Myler for 12 months, it looks as if we see how Anscombe goes and whether he wants to stay on until RWC 2023 or go to Japan for a payday on his way back home. So I don't see a top 10 being in the budget next season but maybe a punt on a young 10/15 who is similar to Protheroe in style and pace. Hopefully if the ageing and slowing down Dan Evans is retained it is only for 12 months as that has a Hook style waste of money written all over it.

@Fiddler that makes sense. I agree that priorities lie elsewhere, the elusive big ball carrier would make such an impact on the squad

I think this thread has a long way to run yet..........

We don't know if there are any more signings to be "unveiled" or even the effects that the cancellation of the rainbow cup may have, if it does get cancelled.............

Myself I just keep coming back to the no 10 spot? My worry is that Anscombe could take a long time to recover from this injury (or may not), so do we invest there???

@surfdragon I think many on here entirely agree with you concerning Anscombe I certainly do, and whether we have both the NZers if is as Fiddler says Cracknell and Cross are already under contract would we have the money to pay for all 4 it would be nice if we had enough.

@Fiddler Are there any others you know who are in the same situation as Scott or even Cory Allen?

@ogwrwayne Know is a big word Wayne. I don't claim to know anything 100% because circumstances change. Eveything is therefore to the best of my knowledge.

@Fiddler it’s a shame it’s not worked out for him but it’s best for the franchise that he's moved on now

The 48 names given by Tai above won't be far off. Apart from the "banjo contract" and perhaps three or so players who would be gone if not for their likely contract position it is not perfect but it is a lot better than the one Booth inherited.

My big issue would be that if Anscombe and Protheroe are the starting 10 and 15, then the back ups are totally different types of players who cannot offer the same attacking threats. whilst signing a decent 10 would be very costly a young back three player with some gas is really needed to ensure Protheroe's role in the attack system can be covered against injury.

Corey Allen has been out with a long term injury and has never been available for selection.Last I heard he was seeing a Consultant and I would not be surprised if we had a James King like retirement announcement before the season is out. Sadly his whole career has been blighted by injury.

@ogwrwayne my 23 going on who we have signed so far and injuries fixed:

Nicky, Lake, Francis, AWJ, Beard, Lydiate, Tips, Morgan, Webb, Anscombe, Giles(???)Watkins, K Williams, North, Protheroe...I Philips, R Jones, Botha, Will Griffiths, M Morris, L Morgan, RMW, Joe Hawkins/J Thomas

I know I may have left out some would consider as 'starters', but what a job it is...oh to be a coach 🤔

But whatever one goes with, what a massive difference Toby Booth has made...and Sir Mike 😉

Assuming everybody turns up my first choice 23 for the start of 21/22 would be;

Protheroe North Collins Watkin Giles Anscombe Webb Smith Phillips Francis AWJ Beard Havilli Tipuric Morgan -- K Williams the young 10/15 we sign but if not Myler Morgan Thomas Lake Botha Griffiths Morris.

Outside that group the players pushing for inclusion would be Knott Hawkins RMW Rhodri or Garyn Philips Parry (if he stays) Rhys Davies Roots(if signed) and Lydiate if he returns. To me the rest just make up the numbers and you would only want to use them if one of the above 30 or so is injured or needs rest.

Venter and Allen are both out of contract.It would be a surprise if they were here. It looks like Collins will be here. Cross has a highlights video on you tube which tends to be a sign he is looking elsewhere. Knott may well be used on he wing

The real issue is what we do at 10 and 15. There is a case for offering Price and Dan Evans a short term contract. There is a case for having a complete clean out of Price Dan and Cai Evans and bringing in one relatively young nwq 10/15 with some proper speed and footwork.

Not sure about Parry. I think Lake and Phillips will emerge as our first two choices and Parry thenlooks expensive for a third choice if he wants a 2 year contract. I would love to get a lock but if Fender can come through it may not be needed. BBBD is a cost we could do without if there is an out in his contract. If we stock up in the back row Griffiths will become a second row. Back row has two from NZ who have yet to be confirmed. If they are I doubt we offer Evans another contract. Cross and Cracknell are progress stoppers. If under contract best to loan them out

I think you could be right about Strong as he's in neither of our Squads, I can actually find out about him as I have a relative who lives very very close to his family, that is unfortunate if you reckon those 2 are under contract, I also agree with your estimation about Botha and Fia another determining factor is the eligibility for AI games when Fia could be away. Finally Parry had talks last year with at least the Blues so we could go with the other 3 and the boy coming through from the Academy. The only trouble under this years rules is if Lake could have been called up to TW, this doesn't apply to next year. I'll have a go with my Backs tomorrow.

I think Rhys Henry will rank ahead of Ben Warren. If we have to lose one of Botha and Fia it has to be Fia as he showed against Newxcastle he is very much the weak link against power loose heads. We will do well to keep Parry and Otten. Parry has been better but will be by far the most expensive and he was one of the worst players on the field against Newcastle.

The scarlets are just doing a PR exercise to justify losing cost from their payroll which is way higher than the other regions and due to Covid their expected additional funding never came through for them

A lot will depend on how Fender progresses and whether BBBD's body is up to it. If Griffiths can revert to second row based on some quality back row signings that will help our depth. also how long AWJ plans on continuing is a bit of an unknown

Jake no Morgan Strong is also an out and out 8 he played there for Wales U20s, as you say Morris has played there even our Captain has gone there at scrum time because of his exceptional skillset, not sure about the All Blacks, I also think I read somewhere else that Hickey has also played there, but not at this level.