Stuart Hogg in talks with Gallagher Premiership club

But who would they need to be player catchup against? Aren’t we talking just to start the season, this July?

Agree on you’re second point but then what is the point of conditioning Barrett so? There’s certainly an option to not select the other two 12’s in the team to promote some depth (obviously going against their argument) and work out a real selection/priority order before RC.

It will be funny when Rieko can finally have that same argument you’re presenting given as case for selection (where for a while now theres really been none other than his incumbency)!

I would also bring him straight back into the team and give him the best possible opportunity as the 23 though. With Leinsters management of him and star studded team it sounds like he’s pretty fresh. His form, and fitness, over the next 6 or so weeks could change that either way. On previous protocol however, he is straight back in as the starting 12 against France.

Form and fitness at home will also play a factor, as will Razor’s past stubbornness to play anyone else in midfield. Of that group there is only ALB that could be considered as the other option to start in the jersey, but at least he’s one to have started the season in good form, though that it had been at center and more recently has been injured. Their are two other performers have shown much more of a case for having that jersey. but they would be brand new selections, while Havili has still not shown any improvement from past good seasons to suggest he can do more than ALB. It would take an extraordinary return to his first couple of breakout seasons to change that picture.

AJ Lam and Timico Tavatavanawai have been the hot 2nd five options so far this season and you can’t really see their contributions changing as seasoned pros by now, through the 2nd half of Super Rugby. Both are of course uncapped (I believe) All Blacks, so while not without precedent of Lam being chosen to start the season there, certainly Big Jim as a first season midfielder is a very long shot to be given the jersey. Also in that category would be any other other ABXV players and hopefuls from last year, Higgins now has 5-7 games to show his case, will Poihipi, McLeod, or even the form Umaga-Jensen brothers (now that others are fit and firing and infront of them) get that same chance too? Higgins looked like the layoff wasn’t going to stop him showing his best, he just has too much class on his pass for that to happen, I have him in a four horse race at home to see if someone deserves to make Jordie earn his jersey back.