If you could sign 3 players...

First topic message reminder :

OK, so you are in charge of acquisitions for your club. You are allowed to sign 3 new players to strengthen them. But only 1 can be a non-whatever your nationality is- qualified player, and one must be a "below the radar" player (a non-regular starter at other clubs or a player in a lower league). Who do you pick and why?

THanks for that B91212. Had never noticed that.

Im amazed that Toner (19 stone, 7 foot tall) doesnt have the power for the engine room. On the other hand I see him going into contact and it doesnt suprise me. . . . . .if that little paradox makes sense.

Thats what Schmidt said stag, I'm nearly sure. Can't remember the article.

I suppose Toners height works against him in the scrum. Schmidt said he was still fairly light for his height and that he needs to get heavier still.

Both he and Ryan are naturally lightly built.

It was a good article discussing the difference between a TH lock and LH lock.

Im amazed that Toner (19 stone, 7 foot tall) doesnt have the power for the engine room. On the other hand I see him going into contact and it doesnt suprise me. . . . . .if that little paradox makes sense

I don't think it necessarily is linked to weight. Louis Deacon is not the biggest guy going but Dan Cole mentioned in an interview last year he always knows when Deacon is behind him as he's a 'pushing machine'. I'd assume having not played second row that it is to do with leg drive and body position as opposed to just weight.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:For Edinburgh (specifically targeting postions where the current squad is weak):

SQ: Richie Gray (Scotland's best player, and Edinburgh are short at lock)

NSQ: Quade Cooper (best attacking 10 in the world, would fit perfectly into Edinburgh's style of play, and Laidlaw would take the kicks)

Under-the-radar: Adam Thompstone (London Irish wing) - not a regular first choice there (Edinburgh have Visser and Jones but nothing behind that, plus Jones needs to work on his defence. Thompstone would give Edinburgh another physical option on the wing).

Is he Scots qualified? You're only allowed one NSQ

Well I was going to go for Sean Maitland but thanks to you he's not under the radar!! I guess for Edinburgh the best under-the-radar Scot would be Nick Campbell at Glasgow, as they need some grunt in the second row.

Biltong - yes, Cooper is a maverick, but then again Edinburgh are a maverick side.

For Newcastle Falcons

Foreigner - Ross Ford , we're in dire need of a new 2 and someone who is a powerhouse at the scrum , a year in the championship surely wouldn't do him no harm.

EQ - Matt Tait , Give our backs some much needed dynamite!

Under the radar - Will Skinner/Tom Williams

red_stag wrote:THanks for that B91212. Had never noticed that.

No worries, just give people the impression that you already knew - makes your Healy for Munster pick look inspired .

Scarlets

Fionn Carr - pace to burn and a strike finisher, wasted on Ireland
Ian Evans - second row has been a weak area for us for a while
Dorian Morgan - good old fashined prop don't know where or even if he's playing now

Driver - RIP 606 wrote:For Newcastle Falcons

Foreigner - Ross Ford , we're in dire need of a new 2 and someone who is a powerhouse at the scrum , a year in the championship surely wouldn't do him no harm.

EQ - Matt Tait , Give our backs some much needed dynamite!

Under the radar - Will Skinner/Tom Williams

I'm sure Deano would love to coach Tom Williams again!!

formerly known as Sam wrote:

I was letting the Irish off on the basis it takes a while for their young players to make waves and get noticed where in the England players often get chances earlier in their careers because of the LV and Championship loans (plus more clubs for the players to be spread across). Odd to think that Ford is 19 and made his debut 3 years ago as a 16 year old. I think Bowden will mainly be playing 12 next season as a direct replacement for Twelvetrees.

LI have Shingler he can play 10, isn't Jarvis still there? Then there has also been talk of moving Homer to 10 long term which would work well as the young lad Watson is looking a pretty special full back.

Shingler has looked vastly better at 12 than 10 and Jarvis will be off at the end of the season. Homer could be an option there eventually, but I am not convinced it would be the right thing to do at the moment. With Delon off he needs to be our first choice full back until Anthony is ready (hopefully pretty soon - he looks electric). Even when Watson is ready I doubt Homer will ever be a natural fly half. There is a reason why he stopped playing there in his youth after all.

[quote="SirBurger"]

formerly known as Sam wrote:I doubt Homer will ever be a natural fly half. There is a reason why he stopped playing there in his youth after all.

Always thought he looks suited to the centers. Fast, powerful, decent kicking game and if he played 10 as a junior then his distribution must be at least okay. Maybe more of a 13 than a 12.

I've always had my doubts about Homer, yes he is a kicking machine but the rest of his play just often seems...average. I def can't see him at 10. For LI maybe some one like Joe Carlisle from Wuss at fh

For the Cardiff Blues
1.SQ:Adam Jones "possibly the best scrummaging prop in Britain?"
2.NSQ:Junior Savea "A bit under the radar at the moment but looks like a cert of an All Blacks Call up"
3.Under-the-radar: Jordan Williams of Llanelli "Watched him play a couple of times and is full of confidence and attacking Flair, slots his kicks, plays well at Fullback and ten, and he is only 18!

Welsh Qualified - Ian Evans. What an athlete. Positive changing room influence.
Non Welsh Qualified - Woodcock. Need props.
Lower league - the Cross Keys props (they're only 1/2 fit?)

Dunno why I didn't notice this thread before (nice idea btw), but here goes for Wasps.

Marquee - Owen Franks. Dai Young has had Broster scrumming very well, and now he's leaving).

English - Tom Guest. We've not had a commanding 8 since Lol retired.

Under the radar - Pete Hodgkinson of Ealing Trailfinders RFC. Capped by England Counties, 'Hodgy' is a quality player who covers every position outside the half backs. 15 being where he is best.

Top NIQ player- Schalk Burger. Perfect replacement for Ferris when he's on international duty or the inevitable happens.

IQ signing- Ian Keatley. Need to provide competition/backup for Jackson at 10 Keatley is a better foil than O'Connor.

Under the radar- Dominic Ryan from Leinster to play openside.

Mine would be similar to yours Notch, except signing Dominic Ryan as the blindside cover for Ferris (I think he is a blindside) and signing Brussow as our NIQ openside. At outhalf, yeah Keatley is a pretty good shout! I would be happy with him and Jackson.

According to the Irish time Niall O'Connor is heading back to Ulster. Is that confirmed?

Not officially as far as I know, but apparently it is a definite done deal.

ChequeredJersey wrote:OK, so you are in charge of acquisitions for your club. You are allowed to sign 3 new players to strengthen them. But only 1 can be a non-whatever your nationality is- qualified player, and one must be a "below the radar" player (a non-regular starter at other clubs or a player in a lower league). Who do you pick and why?

1)
Lee Rees from Llandovery RFC and Scarlets academy, winger who looks like a young Shane Williams he's 21, and looks a hell of a prospect.
This kid is like greased lightening and Welsh fans will probably be singing his name for years to come.

Llandovery Profile
http://www.llandoveryrfc.co.uk/Personnel.aspx?pr=199718

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhHEmGIo3GI
4:32 - watch him glide through the Georgian defense, he was doing that all game it got to the point they hit him late off the ball so they could just get hands on him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKRtiQh-x_Q
Lee on the sevens circuit.


2) Mahonri Schwalger
Samoan Hooker from the Chiefs, I think he'd be a good replacement for Bennett and Mefin Davies. One of my favorite players, I love the aggressive way he plays and the way he captains Samoa.


3) Justin James
Llanelli RFC scrum half, one of the few scrum halves I see who does not mess around at the break down, the ruck is formed and this guy gets is straight out, just what we need.

For Saints
SBW at 12.
English qualified, I'd take Parling to partner Lawes in the engine room
and lastly, I'd take that very quick very promising tigers academy wing. Got a foreign name and is meant to be stupidly quick.