Re: Hudds (a) : Tue May 07, 2024 10:48 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

I think he'll be looking to get Walters into the frame as 2nd row is perhaps where we have least cover with Isa out for a lengthy period. If Nsemba or Farrell get injured he could get thrown into the CCSF, for example, with literally no proper first team game time since last September. I can't see Peet taking that risk, especially as he can play prop too. He'll play for mine.

If Walters does come in I could see it being a straight swap for Nsemba but we'll see. That would get him in a position where he can play in the semi if needed and Nsemba would still be match sharp, even if he doesn't play on Saturday.

We've played plenty of games this season with no second row cover on the bench, including the WCC and we didn't use Nsemba on Good Friday, so I'm not convinced Peet will go down the route of having 3 in his 17. I would want the 3 of them in the 17 for this weekend and for the semi tbh. I love what Nsemba is bringing but I don't think he's ready yet to be playing 80 minutes every week, especially in a challenge cup semi.

Re: Hudds (a) : Tue May 07, 2024 10:52 am  

My thinking was Walters will be chomping at the bit to make his 1st team debut, give him the first 20/25 mins then bring on Nsemba, Walters back for the final 20, if things are going really well then we could take Farrell off for that last quarter

Re: Hudds (a) : Tue May 07, 2024 11:09 am  

It's a tough one but my best guess would be Walters from the bench as he gives us cover options at both 2nd row and prop. If we go a prop light (well 4 rather than 5 anyway ) that extra versatility could be useful.

Re: Hudds (a) : Tue May 07, 2024 11:24 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

It's a tough one but my best guess would be Walters from the bench as he gives us cover options at both 2nd row and prop. If we go a prop light (well 4 rather than 5 anyway ) that extra versatility could be useful.

I think that Walters will start on Saturday and the following Saturday in the CCSF. Nsemba is coming along nicely but I get the feeling that his defence could let him down particularly against an athletic centre or 2nd row forward.

Re: Hudds (a) : Tue May 07, 2024 11:35 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

If Walters does come in I could see it being a straight swap for Nsemba but we'll see. That would get him in a position where he can play in the semi if needed and Nsemba would still be match sharp, even if he doesn't play on Saturday.

We've played plenty of games this season with no second row cover on the bench, including the WCC and we didn't use Nsemba on Good Friday, so I'm not convinced Peet will go down the route of having 3 in his 17. I would want the 3 of them in the 17 for this weekend and for the semi tbh. I love what Nsemba is bringing but I don't think he's ready yet to be playing 80 minutes every week, especially in a challenge cup semi.

At some point in the near future Farrell will have to do less than 80 minutes in quite a few games and even be excluded from the starting 17 re his available minutes left for the season. It’s a potential issue as the season progresses. As well as missing Isa’s excellent defence we will really miss his leadership when Farrell cannot be on the pitch. I think having a second row forward on the bench going forward will be standard practice with possibly the CCF being the exception if we get there plus maybe the 2 remaining Saints fixtures.
Playing Ellis/Thompson/Mago at 13 ensures that we will always have at least 5 props in the starting 17.

Re: Hudds (a) : Tue May 07, 2024 11:53 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

It's a tough one but my best guess would be Walters from the bench as he gives us cover options at both 2nd row and prop. If we go a prop light (well 4 rather than 5 anyway ) that extra versatility could be useful.

I hope we do play Walters and Nsemba but think it may be one or the other due to the sheer amount of quality props we have. In my mind the best balance of pack and bench is to pick your starting 6 and then to have 2 props, a second rower and a hooker on the bench. I'd hope we'd go to that set up in time and probably from Saturday but I'm doubtful. We have enough props who can play good minutes (Thompson, Havard, Dupree etc) to not need 3 props on the bench.

Re: Hudds (a) : Tue May 07, 2024 12:30 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

I hope we do play Walters and Nsemba but think it may be one or the other due to the sheer amount of quality props we have. In my mind the best balance of pack and bench is to pick your starting 6 and then to have 2 props, a second rower and a hooker on the bench. I'd hope we'd go to that set up in time and probably from Saturday but I'm doubtful. We have enough props who can play good minutes (Thompson, Havard, Dupree etc) to not need 3 props on the bench.

Definitely, and I think some of those are actually better over longer minutes. Harvard and Thompson in particular seen to thrive over longer spells.

I think when you have game changing threats in the pack like Nsemba and Walters, they need to be played if possible. Not every team has that and it gives us a point of difference. Especially given our pace in the backs. Breaks and offloads of the type that those two can bring is meat and drink to the likes of Field and French.

Re: Hudds (a) : Tue May 07, 2024 12:45 pm  

Phuzzy wrote:

Definitely, and I think some of those are actually better over longer minutes. Harvard and Thompson in particular seen to thrive over longer spells.

I think when you have game changing threats in the pack like Nsemba and Walters, they need to be played if possible. Not every team has that and it gives us a point of difference. Especially given our pace in the backs. Breaks and offloads of the type that those two can bring is meat and drink to the likes of Field and French.

Havard and Thompson starting, Dupree and Mago on the bench and Walters and Nsemba sharing the right sided second row spot would probably be my choice currently if I had to pick. I like Byrne though, as I'm sure Peet does and I do think he'll play him and one of the above will then miss out.

Re: Hudds (a) : Tue May 07, 2024 12:59 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Havard and Thompson starting, Dupree and Mago on the bench and Walters and Nsemba sharing the right sided second row spot would probably be my choice currently if I had to pick. I like Byrne though, as I'm sure Peet does and I do think he'll play him and one of the above will then miss out.

Peet will be looking to get the Byrne of post CCSF last season back out there. If he can reach and maintain those levels he's a first choice starter. Hasn't really shown it so far this year though (taking the ban into account here, obviously).

Re: Hudds (a) : Tue May 07, 2024 4:48 pm  

I’d go

Byrne
O’neill
Havard
Farrell
Nsemba
Thompson

Mago
Dupree
Walters
Leeming

Ellis rested, I don’t think Peet will do that though, I think Cooper will be in there.