Hopeful 1st 23?

[Raggs]

So what are we thinking is the first XV and subs, ignoring injuries I guess.

For me, perhaps something like:

1. West - Improving game on game, best loosehead scrummager and good heavy carrier.
2. Oghre - Love Cruse, Oghre seems like a natural successor, same skills, but a bit more oomph.
3. JTA - Tough choice between him and Alo, might swap them and do an Italy, taking Alo off after 30.
4. Launch - Any arguments?
5. Gaskell - Starts to get tougher here, but I think he's put in some huge games.
6. J Willis - Any arguments?
7.  T Young - bit faster than Willis pace wise I feel, hence in the 7 shirt.
8. T Willis - Another who's growing each game into a really influential player.

9 Robson - Any arguments?
10. Umaga - Starts to get trickier here with Atkinson!
11. Bassett - Any arguments?
12. Erm.... Mills maybe, Gopps did seem to be more gametime managed last season, Simonds? Fekitoa?
13. Odogwu - I really like Fekitoa, but Odogwu showed something really special here last season, his ability in the breakdown is very useful for Wasps fast play in helping make up if the forwards are lagging behind.
14. Kibirige - He seemed to have slowed down last season, I'm hoping an off season and pre-season will have brought back the pace.
15. Minozzi - Another tough call against Atkinson here.

16 - Barbeary - Sorry Cruse! Frost looked dynamite in the highlights too.
17. Harris - Hislop may content this.
18. Alo - As explained at 3 with JTA
19. Fifita - I'm assuming we're looking at him more as a big lock?
20. Shields - Fifita at 19, let's me more easily put Shields here, can play across the backrow, got stronger each season with us.
21. Hougaard - Tough on Wusty and Porter, but I think we'll perhaps save him at first, then give him some time as the internationals come around, and start during Robson's absence.
22. Atkinson - Covers 10, 12 and 15 in my mind.
23. Fekitoa - Assuming I don't start him, then he can cover 12/13 without too much trouble.

[Neils]

More interested in what we can put out until the New Year.

[baldpaul101]

the problem with first choice 23 s ignoring injuries is you end up with essentially fantasy rugby. I doubt at any time over the next season any side will EVER put out their first choice team. Hence why having quality throughout the squad is so important.

I think that's hopefully something Wasps have improved on over the summer, but we'll see once the games actually start!

[Shugs]

There are going to be some excellent players left out here but if I was picking a first up 23 I'd be going with:

West
Cruse
JTA
Launchbury
Stooke
Willis J
Shields (
Young
Robson
Umaga
Bassett
Mills
Fekitoa
Watson
Crossdale

Bench
Harris
Oghre
Scholtz
Barbeary
Fifita
Hougaard
Atkinson
Odogwu

[Steve from Cov]

Some of the selections are too close to call. I’m sure Alfie and Fifita are going to feature heavily this season.

If JTA’s scrummaging improves and our injury crisis improves we are going to be up there challenging.

[WonkyWasp]

Surely there's a space somewhere for Nemo?  Or do  have I missed something?  (It wouldn't be a first).

[wasps]

I can't see Fekitoa not starting when available

Given that Odogwu is out until the new year, I'll just consider him as a bonus if we see him get back to form

By the time launchbury and Willis are fit, I'd like to think that others will have had enough game time so that there's genuine contenders to shake up what we may consider as first choice right now

[backdoc]

Crossdale
Bassett
Fekitoa
Gopperth
Kibirige
Umaga
Robson
Carr
Young
Shield
Gaskell
Stooke
Toomaga-Allen
Cruise
West

As a first game selection.

[Neils]

Crossdale
Bassett
Fekitoa
Gopperth
Kibirige
Umaga
Robson
Carr
Young
Shield
Gaskell
Stooke
Toomaga-Allen
Cruise
West

As a first game selection.

Carr isn't here yet.

[WonkyWasp]

No,  I know  (amazingly for me!).  I was thinking a bit into the future.  (Excuse No. 4)

[Garuda]

Buidling on Raggs' XV. I'd start Watson at 14. And call me mad but I'd start Booj at 12 -  I thought he put in enough solid performances last season to be worth a starting place.

[Brandnewtorugby]

Hard on Cruse Raggs! My perception is that Cruse brings a bit of reliability and leadership, guess the decision comes down to whether that offsets the carrying of Ohgre and Barbeary in the hooker position.

Maybe I am allowing my respect for the way Cruse came in and has stepped up when needed to colour my judgement!

[matelot22]

I think this thread shows we are building some depth in most positions, but 12 is a worry for me, I really don't think we can any hopes on him, there is rarely any news on his progress, and IF he does come back, will he be the same player after so long out?

[Raggs]

Hard on Cruse Raggs! My perception is that Cruse brings a bit of reliability and leadership, guess the decision comes down to whether that offsets the carrying of Ohgre and Barbeary in the hooker position.

Maybe I am allowing my respect for the way Cruse came in and has stepped up when needed to colour my judgement!

It's very hard on Cruse! It's just a testament to the depth we have. There's not a single shirt where at the very least the bench option to cover the position isn't hotly contested.

Now we just have to hope that injuries don't eat too deeply in any one position, but if they spread we should be ok.

[FrankWasp]

As far as Cruse goes I can shut my eyes and still see the try he scored against Ulster a couple of years ago, as Austin H said "a hooker has no right to score a try like that". Plus he just never seems to have a bad game!