London Irish 2013/14 Discussion Thread

by **Ozzy3213** Sat 06 Jul 2013, 8:06 am

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the new seasons London Irish discussion thread. This is where you can talk about all tings Leprechaun

London Irish, good or bad, and it's always good to get the views of supporters of other clubs.

So here are this seasons senior and academy squads (Full internationals in bold).

Senior Squad (38)

HK David Paice (England)
HK Jimmy Stevens (England)
HK Michael Mayhew (New Zealand/England)

PR John Yapp (Wales)
PR Jonny Harris (England)
PR Matt Parr (England)
PR Leo Halavatua (Tonga)
PR Halani Aulika (Tonga) (injured)
PR Jamie Hagan (Ireland)
PR CJ van der Linde (South Africa) (injured - returned to South Africa)

LK George Skivington (England)
LK Bryn Evans (New Zealand)
LK Nic Rouse (England)
LK Kieran Low (Scotland)
LK Ian Gough(Wales)

FL Declan Danaher (England)
FL Jebb Sinclair (Canada)
FL Ofisa Treviranus (Samoa)
FL Blair Cowan (Scotland)

N8 Chris Hala'ufia (Tonga)
N8 Jon Fisher (England) (injured)

SH Tomas O'Leary (Ireland) (suspended)
SH Pat Phibbs (Australia) (injured)
SH Darren Allinson (Wales)

FH Ian Humphreys (Ireland)
FH Shane Geraghty (England)
FH Myles Dorrian (Australia/England)

CE Setaimata Sa (Samoa) (injured)
CE Guy Armitage (England) (injured)
CE Eamonn Sheridan (England/Ireland)
CE Fergus Mulchrone (England/Ireland) (injured)

WG Marland Yarde (England)
WG Topsy Ojo (England)
WG Sailosi Tagicakibau (Samoa) (on loan to the Stormers)
WG Andrew Fenby (Wales)
WG Alex Lewington (England)

FB Tom Homer (England) (injured)
CE James O'Connor (Australia)

Academy Squad (12)

HK Gerard Ellis (England)
HK Justin Oro-Campos (England)

PR Tom Smallbone (England)
PR Richard Palframan (South Africa)

LK Scott Moore (England)
LK Charlie Davey (England)

FL Danny Kenny (Ireland)

SH Ed Hoadley (England)

CE Ian Cross (Ireland)

WG Tom Fowlie (England)
WG George Owen (England)

Preview

My first thought looking at the squad is that we are light on both numbers and a a bit of quality up front. We have two thirds of a decent front row with Paice and Aulika, but we are missing a proven senior loosehead, and that could be a problem for us going through the season. The second row is similar, with Skivs and Bryn the only proven performers. In the back row, much will rest on Big Trev and The Hoff in terms of carrying and providing power.

In the backs I am reasonably happy. TOL and iHumph looked good together before TOL got injured, and in the centre I am looking forward to seeing Sa and Armitage paired together. They are two big, physical guys, but they also have good hands. In the back three we have options, not least Marland Yarde who is looking every inch a test class winger. It would appear though looking at the make up of the squad, that we are likely to see Losi more in the centre than on the wing.

The academy looks decent with potential, and all are likely to get LV game time, with some also seeing action in the Amlin, given the noises coming out of the club from Brian Smith.

The reality is that there are no big names in the squad, and a lot of new faces, which means they will need to gel quickly if we are to get anywhere this season. A lot of people have us down to finish bottom, and I can see the reasons why, however with my optimist head on, and my supporters heart I would saythis.

All of the players we now have, are there because they want to be. The ones that remain from before have chosen to do so, and have obviously bought into Brian Smith's philosophy. we also have a number of guys who for a variety of reasons will be keen to prove themselves. The three lads from Tigers come with an excellent grounding and a desire to show that they can play at this level. If the whole squad can knit together and have a point to prove, we could well prove to be a side that is more than the sum of it's parts. Injuries will be crucial as ever, and we cannot afford to lose key players for extended periods.

I suspect we will be in the relegation scrap, but I am backing us to stay up. Either way, one thing is sure and will always be true, and that's the fact that I'd rather be a paddy than a Quin.

Ozzy's prediction: 10th

Quick Links

Official Website

The Craic

London Irish Twitter
RugbyLI Twitter

London Irish Wild Geese

The Fields of Athenry

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 08 Apr 2014, 7:08 pm

Squad updated to add Dan Leo.

Squad 2014/14 wrote:

(academy players in italics)....

Back Three
Homer, Lewington, Ojo, Fenby, Short, Fowlie

Centres
Sheridan, G.Armitage, Griffin, Mulchrone

Outside Halfs
Geraghty, Dorrian

Scrum Halfs
O'Leary, Phibbs, Allinson, Steele, Hoadley, Murphy

Loosehead Props
Court, Parr, Harris, Smallbone

Hookers
Paice, Mayhew, Stevens, Ellis

Tighthead Props
Aulika, Hagan, Halvatau, Cross, Palframan

Locks
Skivington, Rouse, Cox, Leo

Back Row
Sinclair, Low, Cowan, Treviranus, Fisher, Guest, Narraway, Gilsenan

Cameron Cowell, Ollie Adams and Harry Lightfoot from the AASE squad have been offered academy contracts but I don't have an update as to whether they have signed or not.

Today's player announcements added to next seasons squad. I am expecting one more back (a 10) for sure, and possibly another outside back, then I think that may be it. I am also expecting an announcement soon about the new academy coaching structure, which will essentially be Declan Danaher as forwards coach, Paul Hodgson as backs coach and a head coach above them, who I understand is another former London Irish player.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 09 Apr 2014, 6:16 pm

We will it appears have a bigger pool to select from next season. The board are definitely backing Smiffy and he will have no excuses about lack of budget or small squad to fall back on if we are in the relegation scrap again next year.

by Margin_Walker Wed 09 Apr 2014, 6:47 pm

Ozzy3213 wrote:
Today's player announcements added to next seasons squad. I am expecting one more back (a 10) for sure, and possibly another outside back, then I think that may be it. I am also expecting an announcement soon about the new academy coaching structure, which will essentially be Declan Danaher as forwards coach, Paul Hodgson as backs coach and a head coach above them, who I understand is another former London Irish player.

Bish coming back?

Encouraging all round really. The two lads signed today sound like good prospects. Getting a full backroom team in place combined with Hazelwood is arguably even more important after a few years of giving the impression that they were running on empty behind the scenes.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 09 Apr 2014, 6:50 pm

That is a priority for the board. There will be new medical and strength and conditioning staff coming in, and possibly additions to the coaching set up.

I don't think the man coming in to the academy is Bish. I have a couple of suspicions, but won't air them here yet.

by **Ozzy3213** Thu 10 Apr 2014, 8:05 am

Paddys Day Party jerseys signed by the player who wore it, now on ebay....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_ipg=&_from=&_ssn=londonirishofficial1898&_sop=16

Unsurprisingly O'Connor appears to be the most popular with 23 bids on it.

by **George Carlin** Thu 10 Apr 2014, 8:42 am

Ozzy3213 wrote:We will it appears have a bigger pool to select from next season. The board are definitely backing Smiffy and he will have no excuses about lack of budget or small squad to fall back on if we are in the relegation scrap again next year.

I keep meaning to ask this Ozzy. Where does all of this money come from? Seems that Irish are extremely competitive in terms of player budget and must have to accommodate themselves to be under the cap than knowing that they'll never have to worry about reaching it. Is it a couple of businessmen?

by **Ozzy3213** Thu 10 Apr 2014, 9:25 am

The club was taken over in November/December 2013 by a consortium lead by Mick Crossan who owns Powerday (our main sponsor). They are investing heavily on the playing and coaching side of things. We were well below the salary cap this season (I believe our wage bill was just under the £3 million mark). The board are not throwing silly money at players though. We were in talks with Josh Furno, the Italian lock, but he wanted too much money, more than we are paying Leo and Cox combined, so we have left that one alone. I believe he is likely to end up at Gloucester or Saracens.

by Sgt_Pooly Fri 25 Apr 2014, 12:40 am

Have you guys signed a new 10?

by SirBurger Fri 25 Apr 2014, 8:19 am

Apparently a Super Rugby player to replace iHumph. Needs to be confirmed though.

by Sgt_Pooly Fri 25 Apr 2014, 4:06 pm

Any ideas who?

by SirBurger Fri 25 Apr 2014, 4:30 pm

Surprisingly few names doing the rounds, but from the little I have heard it is unlikely to be an up and coming future star like Anscombe, Sopoaga etc and more of a solid but unspectacular type of player. No names, but would expect Hayden Parker, Bleyendaal, Noakes or one of the back up Saffa 10s.

by **Ozzy3213** Sat 26 Apr 2014, 7:40 am

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/rugby-news/smith-lines-up-two-more-7030495

Interesting interview with Smiffy. I make it that we currently have 36 senior players for next season, with a new 10 on the way. He is saying that we will have 40 next season, with a couple of the younger guys out on loan, so effectively running with 38. I am making an assumption that the loanees will be Steele and Gilsenan, who are included in the 36 we already have, so there are possibly another 3 players coming in as well.

I would hope that one is a loosehead. Court and Parr I am happy with, but Harris hasn't kicked on this season and Smallbone is young, a bit more cover there wouldn't go amiss. Another lock/back row player and a utility back would be my wish list and then I think we are sorted depth wise.

Roll on next season!

by formerly known as Sam Sat 26 Apr 2014, 7:44 am

Harris hasn't kicked on inside the last four years. Such a shame as he looked to have promise initially.

by **Ozzy3213** Sat 26 Apr 2014, 8:05 am

I would be worried about him starting for us against decent opposition fkas. I genuinely thought he would be a good signing, but he's hardly played. Perhaps he will be a late bloomer, who knows.

by Heaf Sun 27 Apr 2014, 12:29 am

Chris Noakes from the blues has been mentioned as the possible 10 ...

by yappysnap Mon 28 Apr 2014, 8:13 am

Isn't a 40 man squad still quite small these days? May be wrong but I thought the top teams were operating with 50+ players (I may be totally wrong there as i'm just going from memory but I'm sure it was around 50-56 players for Sarries and Tigers).

by yappysnap Mon 28 Apr 2014, 8:14 am

Edit: Thinking about it now, it may have been around 46-48 so just over two full match day 23's.

by dragon4life Mon 28 Apr 2014, 4:41 pm

Is John Yapp staying?

by **Ozzy3213** Mon 28 Apr 2014, 4:49 pm

Not as far as I am aware. He is on a season long loan and will be off when the season finishes.

by **Ozzy3213** Fri 02 May 2014, 6:25 pm

Updated Squad

Squad 2014/15 wrote:
(academy players in italics)....

Back Three
Homer, Lewington, Ojo, Fenby, Short

Centres
Sheridan, G.Armitage, Griffin, Mulchrone, Fowlie

Outside Halfs
Geraghty, Noakes, Dorrian

Scrum Halfs
O'Leary, Phibbs, Allinson, Steele, Hoadley, Murphy

Loosehead Props
Court, Parr, Harris, Smallbone

Hookers
Paice, Mayhew, Stevens, Ellis

Tighthead Props
Aulika, Hagan, Halvatau, Cross, Palframan

Locks
Skivington, Rouse, Cox, Leo

Back Row
Sinclair, Low, Cowan, Treviranus, Fisher, Guest, Narraway, Gilsenan

Cameron Cowell, Ollie Adams and Harry Lightfoot from the AASE squad have been offered academy contracts but I don't have an update as to whether they have signed or not.

by Margin_Walker Mon 05 May 2014, 5:33 pm

No Bryn Evans?

What's the verdict on further signings. Done for now or still some full back cover to come?

by **Ozzy3213** Mon 05 May 2014, 5:56 pm

My source says that Bryn won't be at the club next season. Could be wide of the mark, but he's generally been spot on with info.

I wouldn't be surprised if there were another couple of additions in the summer.

by Margin_Walker Mon 05 May 2014, 6:06 pm

Wouldn't be too upset at that to be honest. Although he has been unlucky this year with JOC's arrival limiting his gametime.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 07 May 2014, 5:23 pm

So iHumph back to Ulster finally confirmed today. I wish him well. He has his flaws as a player, but I always enjoyed watching him play, and he was a gentleman off the pitch.

Also a new kit supplier announced....

http://www.london-irish.com/news/London-Irish-announce-ONeills-as-new-kit-supply-partner/96627/

by SirBurger Wed 14 May 2014, 2:14 pm

Kit does look good actually...will get it for the first time in a couple of years if there is a cotton version.

So if, as suggested, recruitment is done, what would your 23 be for the first game of the season, assuming all are fit. I have ummed and aahed on this for a few weeks now, but think I would go for this:

Court
Paice
Cross
Skivington
Rouse
Leo
Cowan
Treviranus

O'Leary
Geraghty
Fenby
Sheridan
Griffin
Ojo
Homer

Bench: Ellis, Parr, Aulika, Guest, Narraway, Steele, Noakes, Lewington

Realise that there are a few interesting calls in there, but I think Rouse's work-rate deserves to be rewarded and as much as I rate Cox, I think having Guest and Narraway on the bench, with Leo able to move to lock, gives us far more impact.

Anyway, it feels really good to have so many good options, especially in the pack.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 14 May 2014, 2:49 pm

I would go...

15. Homer
14. Ojo
13. Armitage
12. Griffin
11. Fenby
10. Geraghty
9. O'Leary

1. Court
2. Paice
3. Cross
4. Skivington
5. Cox
6. Treviranus
7. Cowan
8. Narraway

16. Ellis 17. Parr 18. Aulika 19. Rouse 20. Leo 21. Phibbs 22. Noakes 23. Lewington

I know many will disagree with leaving Sheridan and Mulchrone out as they have done a good job for us this season, but with Sheridan at 12 we are going to struggle to get our outside backs in the game. He has many fine attributes and in the winter months when it's not on to chuck it about I would have him in, but Saturday, with JOC at 12 showed what can be achieved with a 12 who has a decent passing game. Also, I really want to see Fowlie getting some game time. This kid has serious potential, and long term Griffin at 12 with Fowlie at 13 excites me.

by SirBurger Wed 14 May 2014, 3:44 pm

Agree that long term Griffin 12 with Armitage/Fowlie at 13 is a very exciting prospect. My reasoning was that, and I know that people often say there is no room for sentiment in sport, a lot of what we have done well this season has been about honest blokes playing for the shirt and putting everything into it. Sheridan has been a key part of that and I imagine BS will be reluctant to upset the apple-cart too much by removing both of Eamonn and Fergus in one fell swoop. Longer term I can see it happening, but I think at least one of them will be there for defensive solidity come the start of the season.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 14 May 2014, 4:05 pm

I suspect that you are correct and at least 1 of Sheridan and Mulchrone will start the season in the centres, most likely Sheridan. In fairness, whether we do better than this year will not be down to the backs, it will be down to the blokes up front, where I think we are very much stronger than we have been this season.

by **Ozzy3213** Thu 15 May 2014, 9:00 am

Huge day on Saturday at Sunbury...

http://www.london-irish.com/news/Farewell-to-The-Avenue-17th-May-2014-/96574/

I am gutted on a number of levels. One that we are leaving the old place, as I have so many fond memories from there, and two because I can't go this weekend as have other plans. Sad

by **George Carlin** Thu 15 May 2014, 9:07 am

That's an attacking front row now. Having Court and Cross to anchor is very tasty.

by **Ozzy3213** Thu 15 May 2014, 9:10 am

Loving having Court, Paice and Cross as a front row, lends itself to some humour...

"There was an Englishman, and Irishman and a Scotsman....."

by SirBurger Thu 15 May 2014, 9:14 am

Aye, similarly can't make Saturday and am really gutted about it. I'm hoping that there will be some sort of fans event for the opening of the new place that I can get to instead.

And the front row does look really good. Having Halani back is going to be absolutely huge for us as well.

by **Ozzy3213** Thu 15 May 2014, 9:32 am

Just looked at my opening post. Predicted we'd finish 10th, and so it transpired.

by **Ozzy3213** Fri 04 Jul 2014, 10:41 am

From The Craic, next seasons fixtures....

Round 1
Saturday, September 6 - London Irish vs. Harlequins

Round 2
Sunday, September 14 - Newcastle Falcons (A)

Round 3
Saturday, September 20 - Saracens (H)

Round 4
Saturday, September 27- Leicester (A)

Round 5
Saturday, October 4- Northampton Saints (h)

Round 6
Saturday, October 11- Chiefs (A)

Round 7
Saturday, November 15 - Sale Sharks (a)

Round 8
Saturday, November 22 - Bath (h)

Round 9
Sunday, November 30 - Gloucester (h)

Round 10
Sunday, December 21 - Wasps (a)

Round 11
Friday, December 26 -London Welsh (h)

Round 12
Saturday, January 3 - Saracens (a)

Round 13
Sunday, January 11 - Exeter Chiefs (h)

Round 14
Saturday, February 14 - Northampton Saints (h)

Round 15
Saturday, February 21 -Leicester Tigers (h)

Round 16
Saturday, February 28 -London Welsh (a)

Round 17
Saturday, March 7- Harlequins (a)

Round18
Saturday, March 28- Newcastle Falcons (h)

Round 19
Sunday, April 12- Sale Sharks (h)

Round 20
Saturday, April 25-Bath (a)

Round 21
Saturday, May 9- Gloss (a)

Round 22
Saturday, May 16-Wasps (h)

Don't know if this is accurate as they're not officially released for another half an hour.

by SirBurger Fri 04 Jul 2014, 10:50 am

A lot will depend on those first two fixtures I think (assuming this is accurate). If we can pick up a surprise against Quins and a cheeky away win at Kingston Park we may go on to have a good season. Lose those two and the next batch of fixtures look almost impossible to get much from and I think we will therefore struggle. I am sure there will be a few surprises along the way but looking at the fixtures I think we will probably see a similar points tally to this season again.

by Irish Londoner Fri 04 Jul 2014, 11:09 am

I think we need to try and catch Quins cold (I presume this is the DH), get a win at Newcastle, then damage limitation/pick up LBPs for the next few games.
Unfortunately another season of hoping that LW/Falcons are worse than us.

by **Ozzy3213** Fri 04 Jul 2014, 11:13 am

I don't share your doom and gloom chaps. Quins in the double header is a very winnable fixture, as is Falcons away in R2. Win those and go to Welford Road full of confidence. Tigers are not always the best starters, and the two periods I would want to play them is start of the season and 6 Nations. I'm quite pleased to get the big guns out of the way early. Some of our best performances last season were against Sarries, Saints and Tiggers, and I suspect we'll raise our game again.

by SirBurger Fri 04 Jul 2014, 11:23 am

I see what you mean - Quins is a winnable fixture if we play our best, as is Falcons. So in a way I share your optimism about those two, but if we lose both of those, which is definitely a strong possibility, then I think we will struggle. However, I think we will pick up a few losing bonus points from that tough run of fixtures because of the culture that BS and GD have installed and the players who have been signed to buy into that.

by exileray Fri 04 Jul 2014, 8:01 pm

I think we are still short of some flare in the back three, last season the scrum went backwards in most games and I think that has been resolved. but with no marland, O'Connor or tagi we need to strengthen here, I know we have bought in james short but in my opinion we still need a quality winger and a full back then we will give all sides a good game. hopefully brian thinks the same and is on the case.

ray. Very Happy

by SirBurger Fri 04 Jul 2014, 10:58 pm

Is Losi definitely not returning?

by exileray Sat 05 Jul 2014, 4:12 pm

if Losi returns how much game time will he get, brian did not play him last season so will he this coming season.

by **Ozzy3213** Sat 05 Jul 2014, 4:12 pm

Not sure, I will amend the OP for this seasons squad and fixtures etc in the next couple of weeks, hopefully by then I might now what the score is with Losi.

by Jimpy Mon 07 Jul 2014, 8:51 am

Ozzy3213 wrote:I don't share your doom and gloom chaps. Quins in the double header is a very winnable fixture, as is Falcons away in R2. Win those and go to Welford Road full of confidence. Tigers are not always the best starters, and the two periods I would want to play them is start of the season and 6 Nations. I'm quite pleased to get the big guns out of the way early. Some of our best performances last season were against Sarries, Saints and Tiggers, and I suspect we'll raise our game again.

Tigers have been dogged by pre season (and long term) injuries to several players for a few seasons now, hence their slow starts... however, Cockerill has recruited well and key players will be fit, providing they aren't crocked in pre-season training of course. But they should begin the new season with a near full contingent of first choice players.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 09 Jul 2014, 10:25 am

Article on us on scrum.com today

http://www.espn.co.uk/premiership-2014-15/rugby/story/233013.html

Interesting bit 11th paragraph down....

"Away from that he also has the unenviable task of replacing both Yarde and James O'Connor, who joined the team on a short-term deal last season. Smith is hopeful of bringing in another such O'Connor-esque signing for the 2014-15 campaign but he is happy with his options on the wing."

by SirBurger Thu 10 Jul 2014, 10:44 am

If there is one more to come in, I would be happy enough with that one being Losi returning. He seems to have rediscovered a bit of spark in South Africa.

by SirBurger Thu 24 Jul 2014, 7:41 pm

So Losi does return - will take that.

Who do you think we will take to Kingsholm for the 7s? My main wish is that we take a squad of 12 with no ringers in it. I would be happy with:

Ollie Adams
Jimmy Stevens
Theo Vukasinovic
Ollie Curry
Conor Gilsenan
Conor Murphy
Scott Steele
Theo Brophy Clews
Ross Neal
Tom Fowlie
Harry Lightfoot Brown
Cameron Cowell

by Sponsored content