Starting forwards

[Shugs]

We've had a go at selecting our starting back division but what about the forwards. Accepting that front row in particular it's a matchday squad scenario my starting eight would be;
Zhvania
Taylor
Brookes
Launchbury
Gaskell
Shields
Carr
Young

6 is a real toss up between Willis and Shields and I'm excited to see more of T Willis at 8.

[Vespula Vulgaris]

I'd struggle to leave JTA out, but I guess we have to see how he goes first.

[westwaleswasp]

Similar to the backs thread, if I can't have MM at fifteen, how can we have Launch, unless we are saying he won't make the WC (or Italy will outlast England!). Obviously Launch is no one in his slot.

[Hymenoptera]

Cruise over TT, TT's throwing was poor last season.

678 is a tough one.

8 - The new Tongan if he comes back with less BBQ'd goat,
7 - Shared with Willis, Young to start
6 - Shared with Shields, Carr to start.

[Raggs]

Zz
Cruse/taylor
Brookes
Rowlands
Gaskell
Willis
Young
Carr

Gives numerous tight and looser carrying options, good groundwork too, with a half decent smattering of handling skills.

Excited to see more from Oghre in the future too.

[Rossm]

678 is a tough one.

8 - The new Tongan if he comes back with less BBQ'd goat,
7 - Shared with Willis, Young to start
6 - Shared with Shields, Carr to start.

The back row is certainly a tough pick. I would like to see much rotation. We are almost spoilt for choice. As far as possible, nobody should be allowed to play with a niggling injury which could turn into something worse.

[BG]

Just to clarify regarding the starting backs and forwards threads.. are we referring to who we think will be picked to start the first few games of the season, or, who will think will be considered the number one choice at some other (later) point in the season.

If its the former then I expect Dai to go with players who've played together last season or know each other.

So, for the start of the season.. (If we remove Launchers, Shields (apparently he's only 50 - 50 on going now), Minozzi)

Brookes, Cruse, Harris, Gaskell, Rowlands, Young, Carr, Willis, Robson, Lima , Gopperth (slightly tricky position for us again), JdJ, Bassett, Watson, Miller

As to our number 1 choices, that will depend on how the new signings (academy), new imports, fringe squad members progress and fit in and its their job to put pressure on the above for number 1 status. Given the size of the squad, anyone not trying to push someone out of their position is going to have a very quiet season.

[Green Wasp]

For me Vailanu is the signing that intrigues me the most. He's either going to be the signing of the year or a regular in the A fixtures. Time will tell if he's Nathan Hughes or Rory Pitman (Incidentally I saw the latter for Welsh U20s and thought he would have an amazing career).

[Shugs]

I was assuming it just to be a pick as to who folks consider to be our strongest team from the squad assembled irrespective of internationals, injuries or anything else. Interesting that "hotspots" of differing opinion seem to be emerging as 6, 12, 2 and 15.

[Neils]

No all I am interested in is who starts the prem cup then the Prem proper. Those away on WC duty will not feature for a considerable time after we start and, to my mind, have to win a place in the team (probably excepting Launch and Dan if fit).

[HDAWG]

Assuming this is during the world cup:

1. Simon McIntyre
2. Tom Cruse
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
4/5. Will Rowlands, James Gaskell
6. Jack Willis
7. Thomas Young
8. Tom Willis

Back row is a little bit difficult. I've entered my preferred players but it might be too much Jackal and we might prefer carriers. But I do think T. Willis is good enough to start.