2017/18 First Choice Teams

First topic message reminder :

With the end of the season nigh, and next years squads taking shape, I am interested to see what people think their first choice match day squad would be. This of course assumes no injuries (yeah right). I shall post my Tigers attempt below.

I tend to agree Welly. They look lightweight in the front 5 for sure and playing an 8 at lock doesn't exactly help with things. I imagine they have more players to come in though to beef that area up a bit.

Anybody for an early AP prediction based on current sides?

1. Saracens
2. Wasps
3. Exeter
4. Leicester
5. Bath
6. Falcons
7. Harlequins
8. Northampton
9 Sale
10. Gloucester
11. Worcester
12. Irish

Massively biased towards Falcons obviously.....and I can see 4-10 being completely different with each team capable of going on a run.

The league certainly looks stronger than ever, especially in the middle department. Worcester actually looked pretty good of late so I'm surprised with myself for putting them so low.

It's going to be tough for Irish and they'll need to utilize the element of surprise to get some quick points on the board.

Based on squads going into next season currently so Fearns and Picamoles in the Prem.

1) Saracens
2) Exeter
3) Wasps
4) Bath
5) Saints
6) Tigers
7) Falcons
8) Quins
9) Sale
10) Gloucester
11) Irish
12) Worcester

I can’t see the top 5 being any different next year, then I reckon it’s pretty competitive between the remaining 7 teams and 6-12 could genuinely be in any order.

Primarily down to coaching set up I can see either Saints or Quins having a complete shocker of a season and being involved in the relegation scrap. I also remain unconvinced about Gloucester finding any consistency despite some decent recruitment. My stab at it….

1. Exeter Chiefs
2. Saracens
3. Wasps
4. Bath
5. Leicester Tigers
6. Newcastle Falcons
7. Northampton Saints
8. Sale Sharks
9. Harlequins
10. London Irish
11. Gloucester
12. Worcester Warriors

Bottom 7 will all take points off each other in my opinion and could actually feature in any order. For us the big question will be can our defence, which has been excellent for the most part this season, deal with the stronger attacking threats in the Premiership. As I think Pooly has said, we need a decent start to create belief, so I’m hoping we don’t get Tigers, Exeter, Saracens, Bath and Wasps as our first 5 games as we did in 2015/16.

I think any Irish fan would take 11th spot, providing we do come back up.

League keeps getting stronger and stronger so will obviously be difficult for us (Irish) I'd be delighted with 11th!
I can see the top 4 staying the same with bath possibly edging out Leicester but then it's a lottery, Gloucester and Newcastle have recruited well so can see them having good seasons. I feel quins could really struggle next season particularly during international periods

I wonder if a playoff between the bottom of the Premership and the winners of the Championship would stop teams getting promoted that just can't cut it. The Championship could have a 1 v 4, 2 v 3 semi then the highest ranked winner of the two games gets a home final to decide who plays the bottom AP team in a 2 leg playoff.

I'd like to see London Irish V Bristol just now!

can see your logic, but arguably we have a better side on paper than Bristol do and are better equipped for the Prem.

playing a whole season, only losing 1 game, and not getting promoted is a joke really.

I agree with you - my idea would be to bring this in once LI have been promoted given that they are the only Championship team that stands a chance! It would stack the odds in the Premiership team's favour as the Championship team's squad would be on a reduced budget, even though they will have more confidence from winning all season.

I feel like the names I have heard Irish being linked to if they sign a couple of them up they should be able to stay up. Unlike Bristol when they went up the majority of the current Irish team know what prem rugby is about and be ready for the jump.


Depends who Tigers sign in the mean time and who might be going i guess.

Currently I can see them missing out in top 4 certainly not getting a home semi.

Although a backline of
Youngs, Ford, Thompstone, Toomua, Manu, JPP, Veainu would be magical it just needs to happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Tigers are serious about top 2 and europe they could be some very blunt moves in the playing squad.

I not sure we'll hit 6th spot. It really depends on how our pack goes... And specifically the front row and scrum.

If Lockwood can be the Lh we hoped we were signing.... And Scotty Wilson can actually stay fit to help take the burden off Welsh at TH.... Then we might be OK.

Lawson v Cooper is an odd one. Lawson is great in the line-out, but Cooper is poor, yet they are opposites in the scrum.

For me we looked more solid winning ball with Lawson there but he's lightweight for all his aggression.

Saracens

1.Vunipola
2.George
3.Koch
4.Kruis
5.Itoje
6.Rhodes
7.Clark
8.Vunipola

9.Wigglesworth
10.Farrell
11.Maitland
12.Barritt
13.Taylor
14.Williams
15.Goode

16.Brits/Tolofua
17.Lamisotele
18.Figallo
19.Skelton
20.Burger
21.Spencer
22.Lozowski
23.Wyles

Lions I expect will lead to a lot of injuries. Squad depth will be tested.


People aren't a big fan of Ashton but as a try scorer and finisher he'll be missed.

Hoping the others in the back three can step up.

You think Clark will go straight in as a starter? Is Wray leaving?

beshocked wrote:Saracens

1.Vunipola
2.George
3.Koch
4.Kruis
5.Itoje
6.Rhodes
7.Clark
8.Vunipola

9.Wigglesworth
10.Farrell
11.Maitland
12.Barritt
13.Taylor
14.Williams
15.Goode

16.Brits/Tolofua
17.Lamisotele
18.Figallo
19.Skelton
20.Burger
21.Spencer
22.Lozowski
23.Wyles

Lions I expect will lead to a lot of injuries. Squad depth will be tested.


People aren't a big fan of Ashton but as a try scorer and finisher he'll be missed.

Hoping the others in the back three can step up.

Maitland has done well for you guys this season but both him and Williams have terrible try scoring records at international level. As you say Ashton may be missed more than people think!

Scottrf I don't know who will wear the 7 shirt. Could well be a 3 way fight - Wray,Burger,Clark

With injuries expected Wray will probably step into whatever backrow position is needed.

RDW Scotland exactly, that's what I've noticed. L.Williams might well turn out to be a great signing but he's not famed as a finisher. Plus he has a chance of coming to Saracens crocked.

Ashton's international days look to be over but as a try scoring machine at club level......

37 tries in 55 European appearances in his career is pretty insane. That's a strike rate of 67%.

His aviva premiership try scoring record is impressive too.

I find it laughable when people actually think the likes of May and Yarde are superior. Wade sure... Watson sure...Nowell sure... but the other two?

I would like to see the Sarries backline line this some time in the season season
9) Spencer
10) Lozowski
11) Maitland
12) Farrell
13) Thompkins
14) Earle
15) Williams

Can't see it happening but who knows.

Bit late to this, but the Scarlets 15 looks very strong, but as ever, backup isn't of the same quality as the big European sides.

1. Rob Evans
2. Ken Owens
3. Samson Lee
4. Jake Ball
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. John Barclay
7. James Davies
8. Will Boyde

9. Gareth Davies
10. Rhys Patchell
11. Steff Evans
12. Scott Williams
13. Jonathan Davies
14. Hadleigh Parkes
15. Johnny McNicholl