[Taplow 1861]

Here’s the link thing:-

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/saracens ... nd-stayers


Specifically their speculation on Steve Diamond’s comment:

LIKELY LEAVERS

George Kruis (Japan)
Rhys Carré (PRO14)
Richard Wigglesworth (Sale/Ealing)
Ben Spencer (Bath)
Nick Isekwe (Gloucester/Sale)
Alex Lozowski (Bath/Sale)
Vincent Koch (Sale/Super Rugby/France)
Nick Tompkins (PRO14)
Will Skelton (Super Rugby, France)
Joel Kpoku (Northampton Saints)

[MikeGC]

Surprised to see Spencer touted for Bath - they've just signed Rhys Webb

[IOL Shark]

Only signed Webb on short term deal, until the end of the season when he heads to Ospreys on a permanent deal

[MikeGC]

Only signed Webb on short term deal, until the end of the season when he heads to Ospreys on a permanent deal

.
thanks, hadn't read that detail w.r.t. Webb

[Surbiton_Shark]

always thought Ben Spencer was a very good all round player - surprised he never had more joy in the England setup

Alex L would be very good - however if I was him I would be more keen going to a club where I would be a 'starter'

[Thekeg]

always thought Ben Spencer was a very good all round player - surprised he never had more joy in the England setup

Alex L would be very good - however if I was him I would be more keen going to a club where I would be a 'starter'

Don’t you think he’d be a likely starter for us?

[Surbiton_Shark]

No I don't think so.

He pretty much plays in nearly every position from 10-15 though seems to favour centre

Our first choice centres are normally Sam and Rohan, if Rohan isn't fit then Luke comes in.

Can't see him leapfrogging Rohan or either James brother

[Olyy]

I could see him overtaking Luke for first reserve (not that I'd agree with it - Luke is one of my favourite players) just based on experience levels and also covering 10 (in addition to centre/fullback), but not Sam.

I'm a fan of Loz, but I think i'd only be looking his way seriously if either:
AJ is leaving (still years on his contract, though)
He comes real cheap (unlikely considering the Sarries contracts have payout clauses that apparently they're asking the new clubs to cover)


Isiekwe would be the one I'd be most excited to see arrive

[MikeGC]

w.r.t. Lozowski - maybe the recruitment conversation goes....

"if you come to Sharks you will be the back-up stand-off, how do you feel about that ?"
Manage his expectations and Sharks' expectations from the initial contact

[Litzy Cole]

Doesn't seem to be much of the famous Saracen's team spirit. If you get the private deal with Wray, then you stay, otherwise leave as fast as possible.

[Yareet]

No I don't think so.

He pretty much plays in nearly every position from 10-15 though seems to favour centre

Our first choice centres are normally Sam and Rohan, if Rohan isn't fit then Luke comes in.

Can't see him leapfrogging Rohan or either James brother

I can see him playing instead of Rohan if we want to alter our style of play. I can also see AL at 15 in games where we want more of a creative ball player there. Give us three options: attack of Ashton, solidity of Hammersley or creativity of Lozowski.

[Thekeg]

No I don't think so.

He pretty much plays in nearly every position from 10-15 though seems to favour centre

Our first choice centres are normally Sam and Rohan, if Rohan isn't fit then Luke comes in.

Can't see him leapfrogging Rohan or either James brother

I think part of what I mean is that there’s always someone injured and a guy like that would end up starting a majority of games.

[Thekeg]

w.r.t. Lozowski - maybe the recruitment conversation goes....

"if you come to Sharks you will be the back-up stand-off, how do you feel about that ?"
Manage his expectations and Sharks' expectations from the initial contact

Yeah imagine it was just like that

[MikeGC]

w.r.t. Lozowski - maybe the recruitment conversation goes....

"if you come to Sharks you will be the back-up stand-off, how do you feel about that ?"
Manage his expectations and Sharks' expectations from the initial contact

Yeah imagine it was just like that

.
I imagined the conversation MIGHT go like that IF sharks approached him.

[Clutch]

He offers something different to Sam. It’s an issue that Sam is a nailed on starter. He’s been playing well, but no competition for places isn’t healthy.

AJ has another year. Would be amazed if he stayed but Lozowski wouldn’t be an answer at 10 I don’t think. Doesn’t play there much anymore.

[Thekeg]

w.r.t. Lozowski - maybe the recruitment conversation goes....

"if you come to Sharks you will be the back-up stand-off, how do you feel about that ?"
Manage his expectations and Sharks' expectations from the initial contact

Yeah imagine it was just like that

.
I imagined the conversation MIGHT go like that IF sharks approached him.

Please tell me you weren’t being serious....

[Elgar]

Agree with @Olyy that Isiekwe would be the one I would go for if we can only have one.

But, I think Lozowski is an outstanding midfielder and I'd love to see him at Sale.

I think the James brothers are both fantastic but I think that if every one was on top form, Lozowski and RJVR would be our best centre pairing. And Lozowski would still merit playing 12 instead of RJVR at times to enable a different game plan.

I think Lozowski would also merit a lot of game time at 15. I don't think either Ashton or Hammersley offer us the full package at 15.

I also think Lozowski would merit a bit of game time at 10, putting really good competitive pressure on Dan DP. In terms of that meaning AL would to some extent replace AJ, I think it has to be said that AJ's exit is a matter of when rather than if.

[ale shark]

Elgar - I'm not sure you've given the potential signing of Lozowski enough thought

[Clutch]

Can he slot into 9 if our scrum half gets binned?

[Olyy]

Why would he need to do that when Ben Curry plays almost every game?

[Monty9]

Often overlooked but Lozowski is absolutely rapid! Will comfortably be the fastest player in our team next season and a great addition

[Van Cannonball]

I think AL would give us lots of options, and as Keg says I’m sure he’d get plenty of game time with rotation and injuries. I suppose the limiting factor might be whether he’s happy to move around the positions or if he wants to stick to one, his flexibility hasn’t helped him nail a starting place at Sarries.

[Elgar]

Lozowski:
https://www.ruck.co.uk/england-hopeful- ... -contract/
Ryan Mills would be in my view an almost as good addition. Though Ruck has Bath and Wasps down as more likely to sign him.

Isiekwe:
https://www.ruck.co.uk/rumour-new-favou ... k-isiekwe/
Would be a shame if we lose out on him.

[poyntonshark]

Mills doesn't currently make the Wuss starting lineup and they aren't exactly setting the world alight. Their fans are sad to see a good servant go but don't expect to miss him terribly. He is or has been, a talented player and the move may be exactly what his career needs right now, but given the choice, I'd take Lozowski every time. (I know it is unlikely to be such a simple choice).


edit- Typically as I type the above, Mills is named to start for Wuss against Leicester this weekend.

[Olyy]

I'm a huge fan of mills, very underrated player who has had a lot of injury issues I believe.

[Thekeg]

Mills has had a couple of really good seasons but in and out this year, I think as Olly says this has been largely due to injuries. I’d prefer lozowski as he’s more versatile but I think Mills would be a good addition at the right salary as a squad player