Top 14 : six mois plus tard, Baille de retour avec Toulouse

But you are so right, Brett. “Don’t. Get. Too. Excited”. None of the three opponents would at this stage be considered top four finisher candidates. All of the other NZ sides will be tougher asks, as will be Qld. The result in Auckland shows that the Chiefs will again be a formidable opponent. The Blues will be better going forward. And both the Hurricanes and Crusaders will be hard to beat at home.

The Highlanders do look a different and much better side from this first game. And Jamie Joseph will be a big factor in their season. I have not watched the Force v MP game, but with Ardie Savea in the MP lineup, they too will probably shock a few times.

Our Qld. team being talked up, and with good reason. But I’m nervous, as we have been here before at season’s opening, and disappointed. The Kiss factor a big hope for me.

Consider the leadership he brings as well (club and national captain) and you have a player worthy of a spot on tour surely?

Ojomoh is only a guaranteed starter when Redpath isn’t injured for Bath. Luckily for him Redpath is has been quite injury prone recently, but when Cam is fit, he starts. I like him, but he doesn’t have the second playmaker ability which England seem to prefer at 12.

Seb has not even made the A’s squad and is a long way from a call up. 2 years is too soon.

I’m not going to change my mind in respect of BJVR, mainly because I do not see his age as an issue (30 at the next world cup) and because I don’t see the issue with selecting players who are qualified for our country.

He fits the bill perfectly in terms of his skillset and type of play, he has been playing at the top level of club rugby for the last 6 years or so and is regarded as one of the best in our league in his position, starting week in/ week out for the second placed team.

If he was 33 or so at the next world cup, or if his form went off a cliff, I would agree with you. Neither of these are the case. If his form continues, he comes into the squad. No pressure to immediately excel as there will be around 10 games between a potential first cap and the WC.

Main mistake being made, regardless of the above, is SB persisting with Slade. Why not give Ojomoh a go now and see? Why not try Dingwall? Steve’s run of poor results mean he has slightly lost the ability to try different things unless we get some wins. I expect Ojomoh to tour Argentina in the summer though.

Assuming Doris is captain I believe Morgan and Curry should be alongside him on the flanks. That unit would be incredibly destructive on and off the ball.

Can see Farrell going for a 6-2 bench split too. Means you can load the bench with an out and out back rower and 2 second row/ 6 options.

Get Doris as a third lineout option (should be possible as he’s an athletic 8) and it could patch over the immediate need for a fully fledged third jumper. It’s a question of what areas we want to target Australia.