TRP

[Neils]

Kibirige being announced tomorrow apparently.
Articles on Fekitoa and Odogwu.
Everyone else rumoured to be going big inc Bristol for AWJ.

[Shugs]

Getting Kibirige over the line would be welcome. Interesting to hear that AWJ rumoured to be linked with Bristol. He's the sort of lock many have been wanting at Wasps. I guess if there's any truth in it the Bristol offer could be as ludicrous as the one they offered Hughes and as such we'd be priced out.

[JonnyD]

Now confirmed on the offy, welcome Zach.
Nice having a few wingers about the place all of a sudden

[mike909]

As I pondered on the "well done Josh" thread - with so many wingers now around the paddock - does anyone thing Josh might be persuaded to look towards the 15 shirt?

[BG]

I think we're fine at 15, as long as Minozzi recovers ok, we have Miller.. and Watson and Gopps have both played there before.

I can't quite put my finger on why, but I'm not sure Josh has the skillset to play 15.

If anything Kibirige looks like he could adapt to playing at 15... not sure if he ever has though.

I'm curious to learn what Dai has planned for 12. Gopps has only played a handful of mins in 12 months so its up in the air as to how his body will hold up for another season.

Is Dai hoping for Booj to be better prepared, fitter, more expeienced this season. Is he thinking of moving JdJ or perhaps even Neale into the 12 position.

This must be approaching our biggest squad for some years now which is good

 

[AKWasp]

Watson is definitely more than capable at 15, and we also have James in the senior squad now.

Would like to see Neal get more game time in the centres but looks like our game may be drifting away from the 3 playmakers (including WLR) and towards one playmaker and infinite threats (including from 9) with pace and agility in the back 3 and power and offloads from the centres

[westwaleswasp]

Very solid signing.

[Shugs]

I'd been thinking about options at 15 and interesting to see some thought about Bassett playing there. I'd been mulling the idea of Neal playing there over.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

I'd been thinking about options at 15 and interesting to see some thought about Bassett playing there. I'd been mulling the idea of Neal playing there over.

Positional sense is required. That we would not know until he played and learnt. Some would argue that a good attacking FB has to be as good as a 12 (and good at offloading, not a normal winger's strength). As a VERY long time ex-12, I can say I did at times play at FB and found I liked it. My kicking game was what needed more work.

I think Neal would make a much better FB. He has height and strength. He is good under the high ball, and he is fast and capable of stepping. Haven't seen him kicking though. Can't be much worse than some of WLR's wayward ones though, nor Daly's in play kick throughs.

[mike909]

I agree Neal looks to have the skillset - but we won't know until we see him get game time.

Josh - my thoughts were about his size and pace - being 1-92 tall gives him some advantages over some and I personally prefer Watson on the wing, and it does seem a not unusual move for a winger. Minozzi would fit well with Josh at wing though - not being the biggest.

I'd be surprised if Jimmy played anywhere but 12/emergency 10.

[BG]

Josh has the physical attributes but I'd question his kicking out of hand (out of defence) plus most 15's are   light on their feet and can change direction quickly to compensate  for oncoming runners.

Josh is a bit flat footed. I've never seen him step.. he tends to try and swerve.

If he had the ability to play 15 I think we would have seen him there already when we were short on numbers, whereas Watson has filled in at 15.

I think you need a proper rugby brain to play at 15, to be able to read the game and what is coming at you.. in a similar way most 9's are able to read what's happening and where to be.

Watson probably has an advantage here given the amount of time he's played in the open spaces of 7's and knowing how to defend in the back field.

Daly is arguably one of the most talented backs England have (not that we saw that for us at Wasps last season) and even he struggled with positioning in defence at 15 (which is a 15's primary role)

Given the larger squad I'd prefer Dai to stick players in their specialised positions, even if it means fielding a less experienced player (James)

[Rossm]

Given the larger squad I'd prefer Dai to stick players in their specialised positions, even if it means fielding a less experienced player (James)

Indeed. I've never been in favour of selecting players out of position. Or, in fact, utility players in general.

[mike909]

Fair calls - he is a very good winger, so perhaps better left there.

That said, sometimes people just aren't asked - but I'd guess Josh has had plenty of time on the practice pitch to see

Utility players - again - it depends for me - Watson (Bath) is a Lions winger yet is most likely to be an England back three floater - Nowell looks great at 15, Goode is very good at 10. Jimmy does 10/12/15, Danny won a euro final at FB

I think playing in different positions brings breadth to a player's skillset too. Many a number 8 has started at 6 for instance

 

[BG]

A differentiation needs to be made between moving someone into an unfamiliar position during a game, when the coach is restricted by only having 23 players, compared to a coach knowing on a Wednesday that he's short in a position, 15, and has the choice of putting Bertie in to start at 15 or James, I'd go with James.

If during a game Dai has no other option due to a catalogue of mid game injuries, then fine, move Bertie to 15.

I can sort of understand why Dai started with Miller at 10 when Sopps, Searle, Gopps were injured, as Miller had played there before and did a good job. Its just a shame Umaga didn't even get a few mins on the pitch in the 3 or 4 games he kept the bench warm.

I wonder if that decision by Dai has come back to bite him with Umaga's future at Wasps still a mystery.

[Stang]

Does anyone know what’s happening with Jacob? Would love for him to be promoted to the senior squad.