TRP

[Neils]

Reporting Kieron to Toulon at end of season. As 30 year old can't blame him.
Also Robin Hislop from Doncaster probably coming in at L/H. Age 28 played for EAs on loan former Scotland U20.
Article on Wasps Young Scrumhalfs.

[Neils]

Also, cover eyes, an article on Pertemps Bees victory over Wasps. Plus an update on Wadey.

[Steve from Cov]

TRP also reporting that Tommy Taylor is in discussions with Sale Sharks about a return there.

KB and TT leaving is a worry.

[Heathen]

TRP also reporting that Tommy Taylor is in discussions with Sale Sharks about a return there.

KB and TT leaving is a worry.

There are two POVs on this. Yes, will be missed but we have more than adequate stocks of front row players and replacements will also arrive. After all, when the Beast is fit again, we might get to see him in the #2 short!

Personally, I am not worried. Squads evolve every year. I am more concerned about about Malakai and a contract extension.

[HDAWG]

TRP also reporting that Tommy Taylor is in discussions with Sale Sharks about a return there.

KB and TT leaving is a worry.

There are two POVs on this. Yes, will be missed but we have more than adequate stocks of front row players and replacements will also arrive. After all, when the Beast is fit again, we might get to see him in the #2 short!

Personally, I am not worried. Squads evolve every year. I am more concerned about about Malakai and a contract extension.

+1

[HDAWG]

So we're probably losing Brookes (tighthead) and gaining a loosehead? Think it suggests we're losing a loosehead as well (Zhvania probably), wonder who will be a replacement for Brookes. JTA will probably step up into starting Tighthead with Alo on the bench, but curious who we're after at Tighthead depth.

Taylor I'm not too saddened about. Great player, been more defensive over past few years but very reliable. But we have a lot of depth there, and Barbeary should absolutely be starting when fit, so understandable. Plus Cruse has been in fab form.

Was hoping for someone arriving to be excited about not gonna to lie.

[Raggs]

So we're probably losing Brookes (tighthead) and gaining a loosehead? Think it suggests we're losing a loosehead as well (Zhvania probably), wonder who will be a replacement for Brookes. JTA will probably step up into starting Tighthead with Alo on the bench, but curious who we're after at Tighthead depth.

Taylor I'm not too saddened about. Great player, been more defensive over past few years but very reliable. But we have a lot of depth there, and Barbeary should absolutely be starting when fit, so understandable. Plus Cruse has been in fab form.

Was hoping for someone arriving to be excited about not gonna to lie.

We've just got that academy lad back from New Zealand, JTA, Alo and Owlett as the main 3, with him as the 4th?

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Zac Nearchou?

[MarleyWasp]

Re. Tommy. If Alfie and Gabriel Oghre are the future, there's going to come a time when either he or Cruse leave. Tommy is solid but not spectacular, but is probably on a significantly higher salary. It makes sense.

Re. Brookes. Brookes stats tell an interesting story. 19 carries for 10 metres made compared to 23 carries for 42 metres by Jeff. 21/27 tackle completion compared to 27/30 by Jeff. 345 minutes played compared to 295 by Jeff. When Brookes has a good game he is very good, but other times he can be a bit lazy. I think how disappointed I'd be if he goes depends on who we replace him with. Nearchou may be the long term first choice tight head, but I'm not sure next season we'd have enough depth relying on him, Alo and Owlett to act as Jeff's back up.

Re. Zuzu. Almost certainly off and not overrun with offers according to my source in Tbilisi. Apparently he upset the Georgian selectors with his attitude to training, preferring to lift weights and practice his place kicking with the backs then work on his rucking and mauling skills. They're under the impression he has upset our coaching team in the same way, hence why he's firmly 4th choice. They also reckon he is on more than Chesty, West and Harris combined.

[HDAWG]

Zac Nearchou?

That's the guy. Perhaps he'll get promoted?

[HDAWG]

Re. Tommy. If Alfie and Gabriel Oghre are the future, there's going to come a time when either he or Cruse leave. Tommy is solid but not spectacular, but is probably on a significantly higher salary. It makes sense.

Re. Brookes. Brookes stats tell an interesting story. 19 carries for 10 metres made compared to 23 carries for 42 metres by Jeff. 21/27 tackle completion compared to 27/30 by Jeff. 345 minutes played compared to 295 by Jeff. When Brookes has a good game he is very good, but other times he can be a bit lazy. I think how disappointed I'd be if he goes depends on who we replace him with. Nearchou may be the long term first choice tight head, but I'm not sure next season we'd have enough depth relying on him, Alo and Owlett to act as Jeff's back up.

Re. Zuzu. Almost certainly off and not overrun with offers according to my source in Tbilisi. Apparently he upset the Georgian selectors with his attitude to training, preferring to lift weights and practice his place kicking with the backs then work on his rucking and mauling skills. They're under the impression he has upset our coaching team in the same way, hence why he's firmly 4th choice. They also reckon he is on more than Chesty, West and Harris combined.

Interesting to hear, especially about Zuzu.

[hookender]

Explains why Zz not being picked. Thanks

[Shugs]

That's interesting. Not surprised ZZ will be off and if Hislop comes in we're OK there. At hooker it makes sense to lose one otherwise we're never going to keep 4 happy. TH is the worry. The stability Brookes has given us in the set piece shouldn't be underestimated. JTA is fine but do we know he's staying? We'd then have Alo, Owlett and anyone from the academy. That's possibly a slight drop off.

[Neils]

Re. Tommy. If Alfie and Gabriel Oghre are the future, there's going to come a time when either he or Cruse leave. Tommy is solid but not spectacular, but is probably on a significantly higher salary. It makes sense.

Re. Brookes. Brookes stats tell an interesting story. 19 carries for 10 metres made compared to 23 carries for 42 metres by Jeff. 21/27 tackle completion compared to 27/30 by Jeff. 345 minutes played compared to 295 by Jeff. When Brookes has a good game he is very good, but other times he can be a bit lazy. I think how disappointed I'd be if he goes depends on who we replace him with. Nearchou may be the long term first choice tight head, but I'm not sure next season we'd have enough depth relying on him, Alo and Owlett to act as Jeff's back up.

Re. Zuzu. Almost certainly off and not overrun with offers according to my source in Tbilisi. Apparently he upset the Georgian selectors with his attitude to training, preferring to lift weights and practice his place kicking with the backs then work on his rucking and mauling skills. They're under the impression he has upset our coaching team in the same way, hence why he's firmly 4th choice. They also reckon he is on more than Chesty, West and Harris combined.

Nice to see the KB and JTA comparisons - is that THIS season? My impression is that JTA has really improved and this would suggest so.

On ZZ - bloody hell if he is on more that three others he need shiftying because those three are quite good!!  I have the impression that Harris might be off though.

[MarleyWasp]

That's this season's stats.

Zuzu's relations with Wasps coaches is purely presumption on my sources part. I gather he's had no contact with the Georgian Rugby Union since he was told he wouldn't be considered for the RWC. That said I get the impression that Lee's ethos is work hard and you'll get selected, play well and you'll stay in the starting line up, so when combined with the reason why Zuzu isn't in the Georgian squad any more it does make sense.

Harris has just opened a gym in Leamington Spa, so I'd be surprised if he's planning to leave any time soon.