Offside Monkey wrote:
Its not like pre 2007, though, you can't just use a big sets of props and a running hooker to steamroller the opposition, so in a salary capped game, you have to be careful not to put all your eggs in one basket.
Which is why it's in our interest to be producing good young props because they supplement the high salaried experienced front row forwards without costing the earth. Yes, to sign five good-to-excellent props would no doubt imbalance the wage structure. But it's perfectly possible to afford three top class props if you can group them with one hot prospect and one solid youngster, both of whom won't have achieved enough to warrant big salaries. And if you favour four experienced pros and don't mind fielding modestly talented players in the less important positions (such as wing) then one big prospect will suffice. I favour the latter for what I feel are good reasons, but it depends on your philosophy.
Unfortunately, because of our poor record at producing good young props we, for years, have been forced to spend more than we should on imports (domestic and non) and this has had a knock-on effect in positions more important than wing (i.e. centre).
Aside from the primary playmaker prop is the single most important position and we should make every effort to ensure that it - above ALL others - is the main focus at academy level.
I'd suggest our props are one of our strongest assests and, ignoring TP's age, if Graham went but Clough continues to transform like he is, we may not miss him as much as we think.
Where esle would we strengthen if we had his wages spare? I'd suggest we'd just see who was available and then decide what benifit to our squad they'd be.
See above.
