Squad Size?

[Neils]

Bristol are retaining 45 players in their first team squad. Releasing 4 players plus 2 returning to the EAs.

We look to be a fair few less than this.

[Chunky24]

Bristol are retaining 45 players in their first team squad. Releasing 4 players plus 2 returning to the EAs.

We look to be a fair few less than this.

Interestingly at the moment only 3 Tightheads including Sinckler to be away with England, 3 hookers and 4 looseheads including an academy promotion so potentially lighter here than a regular area of discussion for wasps:

LH Harris, Hislop, West, Nearchou
Hooker Cruse,  Frost, Oghre, (Barbeary), Eckerseley
TH Alo, JTA, Millar-mills, Scholtz

[Horusthewasp]

Neils, I posted this back in March regarding senior squad sizes across the Premiership:

Senior Squad Size (from club websites):

• Northampton: 57
• Exeter: 56
• Worcester: 50
• Newcastle: 48
• Gloucester: 45
• Bath: 44
• Wasps: 44
• Bristol: 43
• Leicester: 43
• Harlequins: 41
• Irish: 38
• Sale: 32

Off course things may have changed, but taking the above as a ballpark benchmark, this season Wasps were 1 shy of the Premiership average of 45.

In terms of senior squad changes announced so far, we have:
     - 13 leaving
     - 1 promotion from Academy (Atkinson)
     - 8 new signings

Breakdown of the above:

Confirmed departures:
     - Brookes
     - De Jongh
     - Douglas (already departed)
     - Jaiani
     - McIntyre
     - Owlett
     - Rowlands
     - Sirker
     - Sopoaga
     - Taylor
     - Vailanu
     - Vellacott
     - Zhvania

Confirmed promotion:
     - Atkinson

Confirmed new signings:
     - Crossdale
     - Frost
     - Hislop
     - Hougaard
     - Mehson
     - Millar-Mills
     - Scholtz
     - Stooke

That gives us a net loss of 4 players but that does include fringe and/or never used players such as Zhvania, Jaiani, Sirker and to a lesser extent Owlett, Vellacott and dare I say De Jongh (when you consider the last 2 seasons).

Now based on Blackett’s comments in the below article last month, he specifically referred to these positions in terms of recruitment goals:
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/rugby-rumours-wasps-transfer-news-20533401

     - loosehead (Hislop since announced)
     - hooker (Frost since announced)
     - tighthead (Scholtz since announced)
     - second row (Stooke since announced)
     - ‘frontline’ second row (nothing yet announced)
     - 2nd second row (nothing yet announced)
     - back rower (nothing yet announced)

Of the 3 vacant positions (2x second row & 1x back row), announcements may be forthcoming but Blackett was also clear he wouldn’t be rushed to sign if no one suitable was available.

The other thing to bear in mind is we don’t know if Blackett has any other positions in mind (Mehson signing wasn’t hinted at by Blackett) or whether he has an eye on further Academy promotions. I am still hoping for an experienced centre signing but that seems unlikely.

Now off course squad numbers are one thing and quality is another, but that’s a different, more subjective, discussion.

[JonnyD]

Sirker was officially in the first team squad

[Horusthewasp]

Sirker was officially in the first team squad

Ah yes you’re correct he was promoted for 2019/2020. I guess with his lack of senior team appearances, I (incorrectly) assumed he was still in the Academy (he only made a single senior team appearance after his promotion and that was in the Premiership Rugby Cup back in 2019). I suppose form & injuries have stopped him from making a single senior team Premiership or European appearance.

p.s. I’ve adjusted my initial post accordingly.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Neils, I posted this back in March regarding senior squad sizes across the Premiership:

Senior Squad Size (from club websites):

• Northampton: 57
• Exeter: 56
• Worcester: 50
• Newcastle: 48
• Gloucester: 45
• Bath: 44
• Wasps: 44
• Bristol: 43
• Leicester: 43
• Harlequins: 41
• Irish: 38
• Sale: 32

Off course things may have changed, but taking the above as a ballpark benchmark, this season Wasps were 1 shy of the Premiership average of 45.

In terms of senior squad changes announced so far, we have:
     - 13 leaving
     - 1 promotion from Academy (Atkinson)
     - 8 new signings

Breakdown of the above:

Confirmed departures:
     - Brookes
     - De Jongh
     - Douglas (already departed)
     - Jaiani
     - McIntyre
     - Owlett
     - Rowlands
     - Sirker
     - Sopoaga
     - Taylor
     - Vailanu
     - Vellacott
     - Zhvania

Confirmed promotion:
     - Atkinson

Confirmed new signings:
     - Crossdale
     - Frost
     - Hislop
     - Hougaard
     - Mehson
     - Millar-Mills
     - Scholtz
     - Stooke

That gives us a net loss of 4 players but that does include fringe and/or never used players such as Zhvania, Jaiani, Sirker and to a lesser extent Owlett, Vellacott and dare I say De Jongh (when you consider the last 2 seasons).

Now based on Blackett’s comments in the below article last month, he specifically referred to these positions in terms of recruitment goals:
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/rugby-rumours-wasps-transfer-news-20533401

     - loosehead (Hislop since announced)
     - hooker (Frost since announced)
     - tighthead (Scholtz since announced)
     - second row (Stooke since announced)
     - ‘frontline’ second row (nothing yet announced)
     - 2nd second row (nothing yet announced)
     - back rower (nothing yet announced)

Of the 3 vacant positions (2x second row & 1x back row), announcements may be forthcoming but Blackett was also clear he wouldn’t be rushed to sign if no one suitable was available.

The other thing to bear in mind is we don’t know if Blackett has any other positions in mind (Mehson signing wasn’t hinted at by Blackett) or whether he has an eye on further Academy promotions. I am still hoping for an experienced centre signing but that seems unlikely.

Now off course squad numbers are one thing and quality is another, but that’s a different, more subjective, discussion.

So, add in Miller to the list of leavers. At least, LOL said so today in the commentary.

[Neils]

However there was no mention after the game and of the three that got caps and said a bit Rob has been with Wasps long enough to warrant one. Strange.

[Shugs]

Watched it back on BT now. In his interview did Lee say the starting line up had six leavers in? That would bring Miller in. The six being the front row, Rowlands, Vailanu and Miller? We must have three or four incoming still. The key is whether we get the likes of Mills, Willis, Barbeary, Launchbury back to where they were. I actually think we're better off next year if we recruit two or three more that can challenge for a place in the 23.

[Chunky24]

With potential full back options of Minozzi, crossdale, Atkinson and watson it is possible he might be let go.

[JonnyD]

Think Mehson prefers fb too as well as Anderson playing there most of the time when the academy lads turnout - Hartley coming up has played a lot at 15 too

[RogerE]

If Rob Miller is leaving why wasn't he pesented with one of the 5+ years awards at the presentation  at the end?

He joined for the 2014/15 season;

[Rossm]

Maybe he asked not to be included?

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Maybe Miller was told that he wasn’t part of the plans and even though under contract he was free to find somewhere else, if he could? Perhaps he’s been bought out of his contract?

I don’t know but whatever is going on it appears to be personal and the club are respecting his privacy.

I still think he’s go a place as a squad player but we don’t know the constraints Lee is operating under. 

[Chunky24]

In BBs player ratings which I am sure will be posted shortly he says in Robs section "when he returns next season"