[Oh Danny Boy]

I mentioned it above somewhere, but the only 1 I would consider would be Wacokecoke. Centre/ Wing, English, 28.

Addison all but confirmed it seems though so no need for anyone else.

In light of the departures confirmed, do you see Addison being nailed down in one position or will he move to adjust game plans / plug gaps ?

I ask as in a recent presser Alex said the coaching team were slow to adjust to the injury profile and produce a new game plan (paraphrasing) Its like I always wanted RDP to stay at 10 but what do I know?

[RinTin]

I mentioned it above somewhere, but the only 1 I would consider would be Wacokecoke. Centre/ Wing, English, 28.

Addison all but confirmed it seems though so no need for anyone else.

In light of the departures confirmed, do you see Addison being nailed down in one position or will he move to adjust game plans / plug gaps ?

I ask as in a recent presser Alex said the coaching team were slow to adjust to the injury profile and produce a new game plan (paraphrasing) Its like I always wanted RDP to stay at 10 but what do I know?

I think he's a squad man, effectively a Sam James replacement. We have 4 centres (Bedlow, Naya, RDP and RMW) we have 3-5 wingers (Reed, Roebuck, Flats, Wills and One), we have 3 15's (Carps, Veainu and Luke). Addision effectively sits behind the above offering versatility and filling in where needed. I can'timagine he had dozens of suitors either given his age and injury history, so would hope we haven't broken the bank to get him.

10's will be Ford and Curtis. Curtis needs game time next year, but i guess it all comes down to how Naya is used given the man is an out and out 13. Will he play there of us? If so, where does Rob go?

[Olyy]

I think Veainu only signed on a one year deal, can't imagine we'll keep him on

[RinTin]

He is sorry, you're right. Didn't see him on any leavers lists though which made me think he wasn't off.

[45jumper]

Good post Rintin.
Addison is the perfect squad man and the ideal number 23. Can play anywhere from 12-15 and has the homegrown credits which makes the signing even more of a no-brainer.
On another note, I wonder whether we might see Luke James get a go at 12 given Carpenter's (deserved) stranglehold on the 15 shirt.

[RinTin]

Good post Rintin.
Addison is the perfect squad man and the ideal number 23. Can play anywhere from 12-15 and has the homegrown credits which makes the signing even more of a no-brainer.
On another note, I wonder whether we might see Luke James get a go at 12 given Carpenter's (deserved) stranglehold on the 15 shirt.

Agreed re Addison.

On Luke I just don't see it as I would imagine Axe will attempt to shoehorn RDP and Naya together. Given the need to develop RMW as well he will be featuring more often and Bedlow is also a very under rated operator, while also expecting first team minutes. For me Luke is the back up 15 unless we are decimated by injury again.

[Dave L]

Our centre plans for next season are intriguing given we’ve got a surplus of natural and converted 13s.

Will we be changing our game plan given that for the last five years (at least) we’ve usually played with a hard carrying, physical 12? Potentially having two distributors instead.

Sam Bedlow has filled that role earlier in the season but IMHO he’s not quite got the heft to consistently carry it off. RMW has potential but hasn’t matured physically enough yet to be a starter (see Bristol at home this season).

Given the amount of time and trust that the coaching team have put in to Rob consistently playing at 13 you wouldn’t think they’d want to
move him.

[Evo]

Re the centre chat; I was underwhelmed when we re -signed Sam Bedlow however I do think we played our most constructive backs rugby when he and RDP dovetailed at 10/12 in the Autumn. He turned me around.
His injury post 6 Nations was a shame, but fortunately Manu stepped up and played some great rugby for us..
As much as I'm a massive RMW fan, will love to see how he bulks and develops after a pre season I do think Sam Bedlow offers the same versatility as Will Addison (10/12/13) and is perhaps more likely to be Prem hardened.
I genuinely could see Bedlow in our ideal starting line up....

[Olyy]

I'd like to see Luke tried at 12 again if/when he's fit again, he's had some very good games there before and Carps has that 15 shirt on lockdown for the foreseeable

RMW looks miles off prem rugby based on this season - obviously axe sees a lot more of him than we do, and he's a big fan, so gotta trust the coaches
I'm a broken record on it but I really think he should've been out on loan this season, after his injury, like Bedlow Jr has been - he looks short on confidence and off the pace decision making wise on attack and defence (defence vs Tigers was noticeably bad)

Hopefully a good/injury free preseason can get him on the right path

[Evo]

Olyy, for what it's worth I think RMW has a massive ceiling, his barrier is whether he believes he deserves to be part of the Prem. I hope he does. His pre season and early 24/25 performances will determine which of us is correct.
On Luke, I don't feel he has the hands to be a Prem 12....he needs the space of 15 to properly express himself , when injury free....

[RinTin]

On him playing 12, at what point does this happen? I believe that ship has sailed given our centre recruitment and the re signing of Curtis. At best Luke will be a utility option like Addison.

[poyntonshark]

Olyy, for what it's worth I think RMW has a massive ceiling, his barrier is whether he believes he deserves to be part of the Prem. I hope he does. His pre season and early 24/25 performances will determine which of us is correct.
On Luke, I don't feel he has the hands to be a Prem 12....he needs the space of 15 to properly express himself , when injury free....

I agree on RMW's ceiling. I think it probably a little more difficult for a player of his type to adjust to senior rugby than for some others. If you are a pacey runner at age grade, then you still have that pace at senior level (for a while at least). But, if you are the 'Big Lad' used to to steamrollering most of your opposition, then the shock, when you move up to seniors and not only can you no longer just run through your opposite number, but the opponents 9 and 10 are also capable of knocking you on your arse, must be somewhat daunting. His type of player usually needs a little longer to mature physically, as well as mentally. From what I remember of his very early days he also has some pace and good hands, he may have to adapt his style if the physicality doesn't come.

With nothing concrete to back it up, what I remember of Luke as a centre was a very capable player, the revelation of his skills at 15 were a pleasant surprise at a time of need.

[Yareet]

Confirmation that Gus is off.

https://www.salesharks.com/2024/05/17/c ... ale-sharks

LCD, Tommy and Caine feels light. Who’m I missing?

[Olyy]

Harry Thompson in the academy too, he played in the Prem cup

Personally I'd bring in Langdon's brother - been playing for Sale FC this season and did well in the preseason Prem cup games and the Prem games he played in

Not exactly a like for like replacement for a player like Creevy but could be a good moneyball signing


Edit: Will Austin played hooker for Wales in the u20 6N

[Yareet]

Harry Thompson in the academy too, he played in the Prem cup

Personally I'd bring in Langdon's brother - been playing for Sale FC this season and did well in the preseason Prem cup games and the Prem games he played in

Not exactly a like for like replacement for a player like Creevy but could be a good moneyball signing


Edit: Will Austin played hooker for Wales in the u20 6N

Yeah L’il Langdon looks like a good option.

Unless we can get his brother back

[Bucks1861]

Fissler in Rugby Pass

“ Sale Sharks are set to formally announce that they have re-signed Will Addison after it was revealed he was one of nine players leaving United Rugby Championship outfit Ulster at the end of the season.

Irish-qualified Addison, 31, who left the Sharks in 2018 to move to Belfast, has made 15 of his 42 appearances this season after overcoming a series of serious injury problems that had threatened his career.

Fissler Confidential understands that Addison, who can play outside centre, full-back, and wing and has won five Ireland caps, has agreed to an initial one-year deal with the Sharks.

Former Sale tighthead Coenie Oosthuizen could be forced into retirement because of a serious neck injury, according to the latest reports in South Africa.

The 35-year-old ex-Springboks front-rower, who also plays loosehead, has made 12 appearances for the Durban-based Sharks this season but hasn’t played since a URC defeat against the Lions in March.

Oosthuizen, who made 94 appearances in a four-year stint in the Premiership for Manchester-based Sale before leaving last summer and signing for the Durban outfit, has a history of neck problems which started with an injury in 2012.

Steve Diamond is set to return to Sale for a second time in a matter of weeks as he looks to strengthen his Premiership basement-dwelling Newcastle Falcons team for next season.

Diamond recently announced that he is linking up again with flanker Cam Neild, who only returned to the Sharks in February after being left without a club after stints with Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Sharks outside centre Connor Doherty, who has played seven times this season, has now agreed to spend next season on loan at Kingston Park.

[RinTin]

Doherty on loan to Falcons sounds good to me. Get some minutes young man.

[Oh Danny Boy]

[/quote]

I think he's a squad man, effectively a Sam James replacement. We have 4 centres (Bedlow, Naya, RDP and RMW) we have 3-5 wingers (Reed, Roebuck, Flats, Wills and One), we have 3 15's (Carps, Veainu and Luke). Addision effectively sits behind the above offering versatility and filling in where needed. I can'timagine he had dozens of suitors either given his age and injury history, so would hope we haven't broken the bank to get him.

10's will be Ford and Curtis. Curtis needs game time next year, but i guess it all comes down to how Naya is used given the man is an out and out 13. Will he play there of us? If so, where does Rob go?
[/quote]

Just finished watching the Ulster v Leinster game. Addison has got to be in the centres with an option to backfill fullback.
As for 10, at the moment the step down from Ford to Curtis is too steep, I would prefer to see RDP coming back to 10 for next season to allow Curtis to step up gradually, avoiding being thrown in at the deep end so to speak

[RinTin]

He’s a good signing no doubt about it. I’m conscious the Ulster win was against a second string Leinster though.

[Oh Danny Boy]

He’s a good signing no doubt about it. I’m conscious the Ulster win was against a second string Leinster though.

Well, there are second strings and second strings. Granted they have a new coach and are still finding their feet with his new systems but, the Leinster team last night had a lot of internationals, and it's no secret they have been building for next weekend against Toulouse in London over everything else.

RDP back to 10 and Addison to the centres. There you go, I've mapped out our road to silverware next season , easy peasy

[RinTin]

Leinster had 2 first choice players starting and their bench was all side players. Some good players in there I agree though.

Time will tell re Addison. Given Naya is also an out and out 13 I don’t see Will being the man to fill that slot.

[Oh Danny Boy]

Leinster had 2 first choice players starting and their bench was all side players. Some good players in there I agree though.

Time will tell re Addison. Given Naya is also an out and out 13 I don’t see Will being the man to fill that slot.

Agreed 13 is taken but in terms of starters and depth, this is a pretty good predicament to have

[Dave L]

Did Rob play at 12 yesterday after Sam came on for Manu? I’ve not had a chance to watch the game back yet (very tense live viewing in the pub with no commentary).

It looked like he was but I can’t remember. It’ll be very interesting to see how we line up against Bath. If Rob is at 12 you could imagine that becoming a fixture next year.

[Clutch]

Don’t think so. We have your play maker at 13. Don’t think it matters that much as we mix it up with our strike moves but RDP will be 13 I assume. Has to stick to that position. He struggles when moving around and if it’s not Curtiss chance now then when will it be.

[Beardedshark]

Next year I suspect rob to 12; Naya 13

[RinTin]

Quick Naya update - once again not in the Toulon squad at the weekend. Hasn’t played any rugby for months.

[SSR]

Sam Bedlow at 12, Rob DP at 13 worked well when Manu was not available.

[Clutch]

Did it? At the start we had RDP 10 and James 13. That worked well. As soon as RDP went to 13 our form dipped. How many games have Bedlow and RDP played as a combo?

[Oh Danny Boy]

Did it? At the start we had RDP 10 and James 13. That worked well. As soon as RDP went to 13 our form dipped. How many games have Bedlow and RDP played as a combo?

100% agree.

Some may view it as coincidental with our run of injuries but, at the risk of sounding like a scratched record, RDP should be 10 and a break glass centre. One serious injury to Ford and all of a sudden we are very exposed at outhalf.

Just as RMW will have Bedlow, Nayacalevu, and Addison, so Curtis should have Ford and RDP to bring him on.

[ledzepsfr]

I think he's a squad man, effectively a Sam James replacement. We have 4 centres (Bedlow, Naya, RDP and RMW) we have 3-5 wingers (Reed, Roebuck, Flats, Wills and One), we have 3 15's (Carps, Veainu and Luke). Addision effectively sits behind the above offering versatility and filling in where needed. I can'timagine he had dozens of suitors either given his age and injury history, so would hope we haven't broken the bank to get him.

10's will be Ford and Curtis. Curtis needs game time next year, but i guess it all comes down to how Naya is used given the man is an out and out 13. Will he play there of us? If so, where does Rob go?
[/quote]

Just finished watching the Ulster v Leinster game. Addison has got to be in the centres with an option to backfill fullback.
As for 10, at the moment the step down from Ford to Curtis is too steep, I would prefer to see RDP coming back to 10 for next season to allow Curtis to step up gradually, avoiding being thrown in at the deep end so to speak
[/quote]

Is Curtis good enough? IDK.
Do we sub Ford for Curtis and lose? Do we start Curtis and bring on Ford to win game?
Wish I had a crystal ball

[Oh Danny Boy]

Just finished watching the Ulster v Leinster game. Addison has got to be in the centres with an option to backfill fullback.
As for 10, at the moment the step down from Ford to Curtis is too steep, I would prefer to see RDP coming back to 10 for next season to allow Curtis to step up gradually, avoiding being thrown in at the deep end so to speak
[/quote]

Is Curtis good enough? IDK.
Do we sub Ford for Curtis and lose? Do we start Curtis and bring on Ford to win game?
Wish I had a crystal ball
[/quote]

Exactly, I don't believe Curtis is at a standard where there is a seamless substitution and performance at 10. As has been mentioned by others, he needs time next season.

It can be argued that outhalf is the most important position on the pitch, directing the execution of the gameplan. Curtis must be given as many minutes as possible. Those minutes must be balanced against consistency in performance at 10.

Yet another plate to spin for Alex & Co

[Clutch]

Curtis isn’t young. He’s well regarded rather than being some journeyman. Look at how young Smith(s) and others were when getting a chance. He’s been poorly managed with shoe horning RDP around damaging the team, RDP and Curtis. We have to back him as second choice. If not why have we signed him. He needs to get established before Davies emerges.

[Oh Danny Boy]

Curtis isn’t young. He’s well regarded rather than being some journeyman. Look at how young Smith(s) and others were when getting a chance. He’s been poorly managed with shoe horning RDP around damaging the team, RDP and Curtis. We have to back him as second choice. If not why have we signed him. He needs to get established before Davies emerges.

Agreed on both points.
Curtis needs more time, both Smith's have been given far more opportunities to flourish. I would love to see him second choice, Ford isn't young so its critical we develop Curtis.

I can only guess, maybe that RDP switch was brought about by the changes in available players?

ETA: I've monopolized these pages banging the drum for RDP/10 and Addison to the centres. It's a good predicament to have. Let's look forward to beating Bath.

[RinTin]

Connor Doherty new contract and confirmed as going on loan to Falcons.

Good move for all involved.

https://www.salesharks.com/2024/05/23/d ... arks-deal/

[Olyy]

Yeah, agree with that - good move for all involved

Glad to see he signed an extension too - go to Newcastle and get some solid game time in and then come back when Nayacalevu leaves

[Yareet]

Addison’s returned on the club’s socials.

Another to add to list of Sale’s returners over the years.

[RinTin]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dde0853g1o

One year deal with the option for 1 more. I guess that covers the injury risk.

[Flumpty]

That is excellent news and I'm as chuffed as chuffed that he's back with us.

[Olyy]

Yeah I'm happy with that,

Covers 11-15, very experienced, incredibly talented, local lad/academy product and by all accounts a great guy

[Bucks1861]

This could have gone in to several post areas. It as Sam is off

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/man-city ... -send-off/

[dinogyro]

Sad we couldn't hold onto him, but maybe the best for his career.

[Alex]

This could have gone in to several post areas. It as Sam is off

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/man-city ... -send-off/

Looks like it is Vannes then that he'll probably be signing for, hopefully he'll earn what he deserves and can have a comfortable life playing against some of the best in the world!

[RinTin]

Hopefully Vannes win promotion and he does indeed get to play at the top level. I believe they are playing in the promotion semi final this weekend at home vs Beziers.

[Bronzbronx]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/superb-s ... sanderson/

[RinTin]

He deserves it.

[Flumpty]

He deserves it.

Very much so. We now have some cover in the 2nd row. Hill, Andrews, JL, Bamber, Roets, Beaumont, Van Rhyn, Birch, Ellis. Good stuff

[RinTin]

He deserves it.

Very much so. We now have some cover in the 2nd row. Hill, Andrews, JL, Bamber, Roets, Beaumont, Van Rhyn, Birch. Good stuff

Only the 4 SA's in there....

[Flumpty]

He deserves it.

Very much so. We now have some cover in the 2nd row. Hill, Andrews, JL, Bamber, Roets, Beaumont, Van Rhyn, Birch. Good stuff

Only the 4 SA's in there....

& 5 English

[Olyy]

Good news, if true - really come into his own over the last couple of rounds

[RinTin]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/versatil ... newcastle/

Jack Metcalfe signs for Newcastle.

Dimes really is holding a reunion up there!!