Problem position? Time to solve it for Premiership clubs
As we all wade further into the sporting desert that the COVID-19 outbreak has brought on, there are few silver linings for unions and clubs to cling to, not least the Gallagher Premiership sides.
That said, one such lining may well be that decision-makers, whether they be Directors of Rugby or Heads of Recruitment, can take the time to sit back, take stock and make the necessary key calls at problem positions or areas of uncertainty. In the vacuum of live games, there is not much else to do.
Every club in the Premiership will have areas of concern, where perhaps their academy has not been overly productive, or a big-name signing has failed to have the impact they would have hoped for when bringing them in. We have picked out one position at each of the 12 clubs that they can use this lull in sport to properly identify their options and develop a plan of rectifying the issue moving forward.
Bath – Fly-half
Bath do not lack for options or quality at fly-half, though what the plan is moving forward is a little less obvious. Rhys Priestland was brought back in on a short-term deal and, at 33 years of age, is unlikely the player that Stuart Hooper will build his side around. Freddie Burns has dazzled at times for Bath and did likewise at Leicester Tigers and Gloucester before, though he hasn’t yet nailed down the starting spot at the club.
Orlando Bailey, the club’s starting 10 at the U18 level, has promise, as does Tom de Glanville, but the former is not ready to be a starter in the Premiership and the latter has impressed at both full-back and in the centres. If that pair can progress behind Priestland and Burns over the next 12 months, it might be problem solved for Hooper, otherwise he may well need to dig out the club’s chequebook.
Continue reading below…
Watch: When will Premiership rugby return?
Bristol Bears – Inside centre
There is a lot of exciting recruitment going on at Bristol and with Semi Radradra, Kyle Sinckler and others coming in next season, there are few holes left to be plugged in the Bears’ squad. One area of potential concern could be inside centre, unless Pat Lam is considering a midfield combination of Radradra and Piers O’Conor, although even then they could use a boost to their depth.
Charlie Powell and Jack Bates are coming through the club’s academy further out in the back line, whilst Ioan Lloyd is rising fast as a hybrid fly-half and full-back, but options at 12 are slightly slimmer. Whether or not Bristol were in for them remains unknown, but Ryan Mills or Sam Hill would have been good, albeit contrasting, options for Lam’s side.
Exeter Chiefs – Full-back
Trying to pick holes in the Exeter squad is an unenviable task these days and one only made harder by the acquisitions of Jonny Gray, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Aaron Hinkley and Corey Baldwin. One area where they could perhaps come unstuck is at full-back, despite the successes that Stuart Hogg has had in his debut season in the south-west.
The British and Irish Lion will regularly be away with Scotland, as will Jack Nowell with England, leaving a lot for the soon-to-be 35-year-old Phil Dollman to do. The club’s academy intakes have also heavily revolved around the pack in the last couple of seasons, too, leaving Rob Baxter’s side without a natural heir to the jersey when the international stars are away.
"These kind of financial problems are what the Pacific Islands nations deal with every year – it is normal for us."@danleo82 talks to @chrisjonespress ??????https://t.co/ghp5wDtpct
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 29, 2020
Gloucester – Props
Thanks to their connection with Hartpury College, as well as the work of a number of schools within their region, Gloucester rarely lack for youngsters of promise and this is certainly true in their stock of props. Alex Seville and Ciaran Knight have been knocking on the door for a season or two now, whilst Ollie Adkins and Jack Bartlett wait in the senior academy. Former Exeter age-grade prospect Jack Stanley is also on the books.
The set-piece battle at the scrum has been one that Gloucester have struggled in or at least shown inconsistency in for the last few years and making a call on who is ready for higher involvement and given more playing time is probably what is needed to see them make that next leap. Harry Fry and Jenson Boughton are also contracted and in their first year out of school, with the Cherry and Whites boasting a homegrown group of props that outnumbers all of their Premiership rivals. They need to play, though.
Harlequins – Loosehead
There is no doubting Joe Marler’s ability and the reports that have surfaced recently suggesting that the prop could opt for an early retirement in the wake of his 10-week ban against Wales will have Paul Gustard concerned. Whether he stays or goes, the club is in need of some extra competition and depth at the position.
Quins have had a lot of success bringing through youngsters such as Gabriel Ibitoye, Marcus Smith and Cadan Murley in the past couple of seasons, although the number of forwards making that leap has not quite matched up. One of the brightest U18 players in the country, Fin Baxter, is set to join the club’s senior academy next season, though he is further reinforcement at tighthead, leaving Gustard to ponder his options at loosehead moving forward.
The evolution of Danny Cipriani ? pic.twitter.com/QYaIwxcaGQ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 30, 2020
Leicester Tigers – Wing
With rumours rife that Jonny May could be leaving the club, Leicester are either going to need to bolster their starting XV with a difference-maker at the position or, should May stay, find further depth to push the likes of May and cover for him when he is away with England, even with Nemani Nadolo coming in. Jonah Holmes is another potential international casualty, and the burden this season has been shown by the need to sign Rory Hughes on loan.
Freddie Steward has begun to transition well to the seniors at full-back and the same could be said of Joe Browning and Leo Gilliland next season, if given the opportunity. If Geordan Murphy doesn’t think they will be ready for that level of rugby, adding to the club’s wing options will likely be a priority for the East Midlands side.
London Irish – Fly-half
The pairing of Stephen Myler and Paddy Jackson have done well for Irish this season, though they are in a similar position to Bath, with one a seasoned veteran and the other yet to fully stamp their authority on the position. Jacob Atkins and Theo Brophy Clews are also on the depth chart, though the latter has had his fair share of injury issues to this point which have held back his development.
If Declan Kidney isn’t enthused with the group, he could choose to bolster his options moving forward, with Wellington College prospect Monty Bradbury certainly on the radar, although still a few good years away from being ready for that sort of level of rugby.
Rugby Australia will meet with the Rugby Union Players’ Association on Tuesday to discuss what it will take to survive the next three months.https://t.co/rIu4Wye4X1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 30, 2020
Northampton Saints – Loosehead
The East Midlands club are in fine shape at tighthead, with Owen Franks, Paul Hill, Karl Garside and Ehren Painter jockeying for position, though the age profile at loosehead is less encouraging. Alex Waller and Francois van Wyk have been stalwart options and consistent, but there is then a sizeable drop to the club’s younger contingent.
Toby Trinder, Emmanuel Iyogun and Jack Hughes are all hungry for playing time in the front row and Chris Boyd either has to bank on one of them stepping up if given the opportunity or he needs to further invest in the position ahead of next season. Trinder has spent time with Coventry this season, whilst Iyogun is transitioning from No 8 and Hughes was predominately a tighthead prior to going professional.
Sale Sharks – Hooker
The signing of Akker van der Merwe has proven to be a successful one, but with Rob Webber retiring at the end of the season and Cam Neild potentially moving on, the pool of hookers at the club is set to diminish unless new players are brought in. The question for Steve Diamond will be what calibre of replacement does he target?
Is he looking for someone that can push van der Merwe for the starting spot or is he comfortable with the development of Curtis Langdon and Ewan Ashman to the point where he can save salary cap space by targeting a more affordable player? Having spent big last summer, salary cap management will now become a prevalent issue for Sale moving forward, as will nurturing Kirkham product Ethan Caine.
There have been many outstanding All Blacks who have taken to the field over the years, but only a select few have made the cut in @HamishBidwell's side.https://t.co/gzbXdnhW9w
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 30, 2020
Saracens – Scrum-half
With Richard Wigglesworth potentially off for a final stint at another club or going into full-time coaching, and Ben Spencer reportedly looking at loan moves to keep alive his England prospects, Saracens could easily be caught short at scrum-half next season. Tom Whiteley and Alex Day are on the roster, though that is the current state of their depth, with no nine contracted in the senior academy.
Felsted pupil Sam Bryan is on his way in and is one of the more exciting U18 scrum-halves to have come through English rugby in recent years. He is certainly capable of featuring intermittently in the Championship next season, though you would expect Mark McCall to have his eye on a scrum-half or two to make up for the expected losses at the position.
Wasps – Fly-half
As with Bath and London Irish, there is not a lack of fly-half options at Wasps, though it’s a testament to the importance of the role that finding your ‘franchise’ player at the position is so vital. Lima Sopoaga has not yet hit the heights expected since his move from the Highlanders, Jimmy Gopperth will turn 37 before the beginning of next season and Billy Searle is heading to Worcester Warriors.
Interim Director of Rugby Lee Blackett will surely be pleased with Jacob Umaga’s performances this season and he will now have to ask himself whether or not the former Leicester academy product can shoulder the mantle of being the club’s starting fly-half. Charlie Atkinson, of Abingdon School, will join the ranks next season, too, but the immediate focus is all about Umaga and his role at the club.
A great idea to keep supporter's spirits up during this difficult time @premrugby @WaspsRugby ?https://t.co/QgR1Unh1WR
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 30, 2020
Worcester Warriors – Inside centre
Having lost Ryan Mills to Wasps, Worcester’s stock of options at inside centre looks limited. Francois Venter and Ollie Lawrence are both at their best at 13 and Will Butler, though an excellent prospect, has seen limited involvement at the highest level over the past couple of seasons. Can the former England U20 standout make that leap?
If he can, Worcester sit on the edge of a homegrown midfield consisting of him and Lawrence, although with the battle against relegation expected to be much more heated next season rather than done by default due to Saracens’ infringements, the club could be forgiven for looking for a more proven player outside of Duncan Weir.
Watch: The Breakdown – Episode 9
Comments on RugbyPass
Wasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
30 Go to comments