Re: Saints first choice next year : Sun Sep 29, 2013 3:36 pm
The Chair Maker wrote:
In all this panic talk about Saints lacking a standoff, no one to my knowledge has mentioned Charnock.
He has just signed a two year contract at Saints which should give people an indication that he is likely to be playing quite a bit at 6 in the coming year.
For me it would make some sense to play him at 6 as he would have an experienced half alongside him in Walsh to ease him into the team.
He has just signed a two year contract at Saints which should give people an indication that he is likely to be playing quite a bit at 6 in the coming year.
For me it would make some sense to play him at 6 as he would have an experienced half alongside him in Walsh to ease him into the team.
He may feature a bit more in 2014 but I don't think any of us would honestly expect him to nail down that role unless he came in and did an outstanding job. It'd be unfair to expect him to do so.
I think we've got better depth up front next season. We're well stacked at prop and in the back row especially with Wilkin moving back to loose as expected. The problem positions we have are at centre, stand off and even hooker where we have little cover should Roby pick up an injury. Hohaia and maybe Wellens or Flanagan are the potential cover although neither of those are great options for such a key position and that would also leave us short at 6 as Hohaia is expected to play there.
Jones is the most reliable option for the Centre spot, but doesn't really have that attacking edge that Percival possesses. I can see them sharing the role due to Percival's lack of experience and issues defensively. Percival certainly offensively will create more opportunity for Swift and it would be far more exciting with him there. Wheeler will probably offer cover, but he's barely strung any games together so wouldn't really consider him a long term option until he proves his worth.
I'd probably go as follows:
Lomax
Makinson
Turner
Jones / Percival
Swift
Hohaia
Walsh
Amor
Roby
LMS
Soliola
Manu
Wilkin
Bench:
Masoe
Walmlsey
Laffranchi / Beaumont / Clough
Jones / Flanagan
Plenty of options and ability to rotate to squad. I reckon the majority picks itself with a few places being up for grabs.