Re: 2020 | Squad talk : Fri Nov 29, 2019 12:10 pm
Just underlines how lucky we've been with overseas signings (for the most part) in the last 20 years or so. There are so many extra factors that can go wrong compared with UK based players. This is exactly why we shouldn't rush into a panic overseas replacement signing for Merrin.The team are still well-stocked in the back row.
A spine of Walker, Lui, Gale and Leeming with Myler, McLelland and Dwyer as back-up is infinitely better than last year, when we were reliant on Sutcliffe and Lolohea.
The pack has been shorn of its under-performers - in particular Singleton and Ferres (Peteru can perhaps count himself a bit unlucky, but it's a sign of our ambition that a player of his capability is no longer deemed up to it). Seumanufagai, Cuthbertson, Crosby and Oledski might be bare bones, but presumably there will be no short-term obstacle to bringing in Prior now, assuming it is true that we're waiting on Martin to get his passport sorted. It's also a hell of an opportunity for some of our younger forwards to step up, assuming Agar thinks they are ready.
I do share some of the worries about the back line. While Briscoe is injured it will presumably be between his brother and the Sutcliffes as to who takes the extra spot. Maybe we could bring Ryan Hall back with some of the Merrin cap money?
