I think the plan for this season is pretty clear, and it doesn’t need much time to gel. It’s simply putting big bodies on the field to create enough momentum for Clark/Williams/Dufty to do something with it. There is no craft of guile in the outside backs (although carrying vacancies) so any creativity is all on Williams and Dufty. I’d argue, even including Ratchford/Matautia/Wrench our player most likely to create chances through passes or kicks is Currie, Williams & Dufty aside.
We’ll know sooner rather than later whether the plan is working. I fear that without Williams in particular we are in trouble. Kicking from open play isn’t necessarily his strong suit, but he is the only one I can see putting in an effective kick to build pressure or create chances.
I’m hopeful for a strong start though, with the World Cup year pushing the season earlier in 2022, and not making play offs, we’ve had our feet up for 5 weeks longer than we would have expected. Even Williams (who is most likely to play in the WC from our bunch) has had a decent rest already.