[Stevie J]

The club has now confirmed what others here have reported that we have three new senior Academy players; https://www.london-irish.com/news/londo ... my/bp2693/

So starting late November when we hurtle into a new season, we should I think have the following - based on all short term players leaving;

54 Players*
36 Senior*
18 (!) Academy

* Kidney claimed to be in discussions with 2 more players, a back and a forward

Loosehead
Dell, Elrington, Goodrick-Clarke, Haffar

Hooker
Creevy, Ma'atu, Cornish, Ben Atkins, Vajner

Tighthead
Kepu, Hoskins, Chawatama, Green

Lock
Coleman, Simmons (post TRC), Mafi, Nott, Mahu, Munga

Flankers
O'Brien, Cowan, Rogerson, Cooke, Curtis-Harris, Donnell, Smart, Brooke, Moore-Aiono, Davis

8
Tuisue, Rhodes

Scrum-Half
Meehan, Phipps, Brand, Englefield, Morgan

Fly-Half
Jackson, Jacob Atkins, Smerdon

Wings
Loader, Naholo, Hassell-Collins, Kerr, Dykes, Harmes

Centres
Hepetema*, Rona, Brophy-Clews, Williams*, Meakes*, Cokanasiga, Joseph

* - Meakes short term cover until January 2021 for Hepetema and Williams injuries.

Full-Back
Homer, Parton

[Margin_Walker]

Good to see those confirmed, all three look like decent additions who have a chance of making it. Definitely seems to be a strategy of running with a lean squad augmented by a large senior academy cohort.

Also partially a symptom of having such a good crop available this season.

Guessing we are lining up a lock and a centre, but we'll see.

[Lazyboy346]

Good to see the academy being larger as we have lots of promising players, although there seems to be a big logjam in the back row. Shame Keohane didn't make the cut either time, they must have high hopes for Green as most of our academy props have been cut in recent years.

Definitely need a lock in case Mafi and Coleman need to be eased in for next season, otherwise it'll be Munga, Nott and Donnell. Another unknown but chunky South African would be useful.

In the backs someone who can play 10 and 12 would be excellent to both support and challenge Jackson. McKinley is at a loose end and probably could do a decent job. Think Kidney also mentioned some cover for Hepetema and Williams who will both be out long term - Mullin's son was released by Ulster and could do a job.

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, Keohane is the obvious one missing. Will be interesting to see if he ends up getting picked up by another academy or takes the BUCS route.