[Olyy]

Great pickup for them

[RinTin]

They need some core experience now and they could build something next year. Maybe add an aging ex international into the second row, an older half back and an experienced back three player and they could have a great spine for these new guys to cling to.

[Olyy]

Yeah an experienced 9 would be a big boost - Peter Stringer still got his boots?

[Halifaxshark]

Joe Bedlow has got into the championship team of the year at 12…. Where does he fit into picture next season?

[Olyy]

I didn't realise he'd been playing 12, in my head it was 13 - if he can play backup to his big bro next season that'd be great


Very interested to see what our 1st/2nd choice backlines will be next season, with us bringing in a 13 and a utility back who's playing a fair whack of 13 atm - is RdP being looked at as our 12?
I don't think we'd have spent big on Waisea if we didn't expect him to be a starter tbh. I wouldn't want him in the 22 shirt because I want Curtis getting game time ASAP

Think our depth is something like, off the top of my head:

9. Warr, Quirke, Thomas
10. Ford, Curtis
11. O'Flaherty, Reed, Wills
12. Bedlow Sr, Bedlow Jr, RMW
13. RdP, Waisea
14. Roebuck
15. Carpenter, Addison, L.James

Utility wise:
Curtis covers 10/12/15,
RMW covers 12/13 (he was down to start on the wing for Caldy at Christmas, but the game was called off for bad weather so don't think he's actually played there)
RdP covers 10/12/13
Waisea covers 13/14 (though 3 years since his last game on the wing)
Addison covers 11/12/13/14/15
L.James covers 12/13/15 (think he's had a game or two on the wing too?)


Does feel a little light on the wing, but that's usually a position where academy players can come through

[RinTin]

Add Obi Ene to the wing slot as well.

[Olyy]

Add Obi Ene to the wing slot as well.

Great shout, I think this is his final year at uni - looked very good preseason last year

[RinTin]

I didn't realise he'd been playing 12, in my head it was 13 - if he can play backup to his big bro next season that'd be great


Very interested to see what our 1st/2nd choice backlines will be next season, with us bringing in a 13 and a utility back who's playing a fair whack of 13 atm - is RdP being looked at as our 12?
I don't think we'd have spent big on Waisea if we didn't expect him to be a starter tbh. I wouldn't want him in the 22 shirt because I want Curtis getting game time ASAP

Think our depth is something like, off the top of my head:

9. Warr, Quirke, Thomas
10. Ford, Curtis
11. O'Flaherty, Reed, Wills
12. Bedlow Sr, Bedlow Jr, RMW
13. RdP, Waisea
14. Roebuck
15. Carpenter, Addison, L.James

Utility wise:
Curtis covers 10/12/15,
RMW covers 12/13 (he was down to start there for Caldy at Christmas, but the game was called off for bad weather so don't think he's actually played there)
RdP covers 10/12/13
Waisea covers 13/14 (though 3 years since his last game on the wing)
Addison covers 11/12/13/14/15
L.James covers 12/13/15 (think he's had a game or two on the wing too?)


Does feel a little light on the wing, but that's usually a position where academy players can come through

Hell I'll give it a quick go:

9.Gus 10.Ford 11.Flats 12.RDP 13.Naya 14.Roebuck 15.Carps.
21. Raffi 22. Addison 23. Luke

For me the 12 slot is the toss up - Addison and Rob could swap. Over the course of the season I would expect to see Naya rotated given his lack of game time this year and age. Also would expect Flats and Reed to rotate as well.

Luckily we don't need to reinvent the wheel with our backline.

[SSR]

I would go with Sam Bedlow at 12, and the speediest winger we have at 11 ( not TOF ).
RDP showed he can not be used as a crash ball 12.
The rest pretty much pick themselves if Naya is fit and firing and seen as first choice.
I am not convinced that Addison will be first choice anywhere, bench option if not
broken, but prefer to give youngsters more opportunity to grow.
Are we sure Naya is seen as our 13 ?

[Olyy]

It is a tough one to predict with RdP firmly our first 13 atm - I imagine we've paid a fair whack for him, so don't think we would've done that just to have him solely in a mentoring/squad player role

[RinTin]

Makes little sense for us to sign Naya unless he was ear marked as a starter. In terms of position, he is an out and out 13. He won't play anywhere else for us which would mean Rob to 12 or 22. Hope this isn't at the expense of Curtis though.

Addison is currently first choice for Ulster and has played well the last few weeks. To my mind he is a more elusive version of Sam James and, if no injury strikes, will almost certainly be pushing hard for a starting role.

Being absolutely rapid isn't everything for a winger. I'd argue Roebuck is one of the most complete wingers in the league, but certainly isn't as quick as others. Interestingly most pundits seem to agree that Flats had a very good game for us on Saturday, something I agree with.

[SSR]

Just seen that Dimes has signed Jack Metcalf ( ex of this parish ) to Budgies.
I was a bit sad that we could not retain him when he left.

[RinTin]

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

Jack Metcalfe signs for Newcastle.

Dimes really is holding a reunion up there!!

Link here.

Agreed, really promising player and it was a shame. Was it maybe him vs Curtis? Or him vs Luke James in terms of who we kept?

[SSR]

Well I am of the camp that would prefer Radwan on the wing to Malins.
I only saw TOF do one good thing, beating the second row to the touch down.
The rest included getting brushed off in the chase to the touchline by a flanker.
Throwing a pass to the touch judge. Getting nowhere near the catcher on the
kick chases. And not forgetting, failing to convert a straight line run-in.
Perhaps the pundits missed that.
Anyway mine is a biased view and others may think differently.
I like Roebuck, he is strong and safe and quite elusive. Room for one of each on the
wings.
I also think Roebuck could make a handy 13.

[Olyy]

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

Jack Metcalfe signs for Newcastle.

Dimes really is holding a reunion up there!!

Link here.

Agreed, really promising player and it was a shame. Was it maybe him vs Curtis? Or him vs Luke James in terms of who we kept?

From memory: neither
We wanted to keep him (believe he was name checked as one of the youngsters we wanted to build the backline around) but Ealing offered him a very large sum (he was on academy wages here, and they offered him a senior contract), so he went there

[RinTin]

Well I am of the camp that would prefer Radwan on the wing to Malins.
I only saw TOF do one good thing, beating the second row to the touch down.
The rest included getting brushed off in the chase to the touchline by a flanker.
Throwing a pass to the touch judge. Getting nowhere near the catcher on the
kick chases. And not forgetting, failing to convert a straight line run-in.
Perhaps the pundits missed that.
Anyway mine is a biased view and others may think differently.
I like Roebuck, he is strong and safe and quite elusive. Room for one of each on the
wings.
I also think Roebuck could make a handy 13.

Why is your view biased? As a Sale fan I would have thought it would be biased in his favour if anything!

[SSR]

Why is your view biased?

Probably since I watched Exeter v Sale sometime back and TOF made a major boo-boo
dropping the ball before the line. I did not think he was a good signing at the time and
despite a great first match, my abiding memories are of cock-ups, dropped passes ,
dieing with the ball and getting turned over and failure to pass the ball when there is an overlap. We always look better ( to me ) when Reed is on the wing posing a threat that he cannot offer. He did do mazey runs but he does not finish many.
My criticism is biased and probably too hyper-critical, others will probably take a diametric view. I also have my favourites.
I support Sale but if the management think he is the best winger we have, then he is.
It is just a view of a single fan about one player.

[RinTin]

Why is your view biased?

Probably since I watched Exeter v Sale sometime back and TOF made a major boo-boo
dropping the ball before the line. I did not think he was a good signing at the time and
despite a great first match, my abiding memories are of cock-ups, dropped passes ,
dieing with the ball and getting turned over and failure to pass the ball when there is an overlap. We always look better ( to me ) when Reed is on the wing posing a threat that he cannot offer. He did do mazey runs but he does not finish many.
My criticism is biased and probably too hyper-critical, others will probably take a diametric view. I also have my favourites.
I support Sale but if the management think he is the best winger we have, then he is.
It is just a view of a single fan about one player.

Makes perfect sense! I'll be honest I was expecting you to reveal you were Aaron Reed's uncle.....

[Elgar]

My own view is that Bedlow would be our most natural 12 and Naya would be our most natural 13.

That said I could as easily see the management taking either of the following approaches.
1. Shoehorn Naya into the Manu role. Whilst it would seem odd to pay a premium for someone and then play them out of position, that was kind of exactly what they did with Manu (and are doing with RDP) and whilst Addison would seem to be the Sam James replacement, Naya would seem to be the Manu replacement.
2. Develop RDP into a 12. This I can actually see working out in the long run, he has most if not all the natural qualities and it would suit Naya better. But there may be costs in the short term.

[SSR]

Is it me or is the LCD situation a bit concerning?
Did not travel to Bath and injury status a bit fragile.
Anyone know anything?
Hooker situation looking a bit thin next year.

[Oh Danny Boy]

Is it me or is the LCD situation a bit concerning?
Did not travel to Bath and injury status a bit fragile.
Anyone know anything?
Hooker situation looking a bit thin next year.

A return of the same injury that stopped his move to France?

[Yareet]

Is it me or is the LCD situation a bit concerning?
Did not travel to Bath and injury status a bit fragile.
Anyone know anything?
Hooker situation looking a bit thin next year.

I'm purely speculating but...

Axe recently talked about one of the players having a heart op and Dickie has previously mentioned that he had a heart condition. 2+2 makes ???

[Olyy]

Pretty sure he said it was a lock that had the heart operation, think someone on the Supporters Club Facebook page confirmed it was Groves

LCD played in the game vs Saracens so I'm guessing picked up a knock during that? It's not like he's been out a long time - missed Rd 17 through illness, started Rd 18, missed the Semi

Could be that they're managing minutes, could be he's had a bug and isn't 100%, could be wen just went horses for courses

That said, I do still think we should be looking to bring in another hooker with Creevy leaving - said it before but Langdon Jr. could be a very astute pickup

[RinTin]

We really should have looked into Dolly once it was clear Creevy wasn't staying.

[Bucks1861]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/tug-of-w ... ing-canon/

[JohnJ of HM]

That said, I do still think we should be looking to bring in another hooker with Creevy leaving - said it before but Langdon Jr. could be a very astute pickup

I gather Langdon Jr has gone to join his brother.

[Olyy]

That said, I do still think we should be looking to bring in another hooker with Creevy leaving - said it before but Langdon Jr. could be a very astute pickup

I gather Langdon Jr has gone to join his brother.

Damn, hope that doesn't come back to bite us in the bum

[RinTin]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/tug-of-w ... ing-canon/

Racing and Canon Eagles.... Go on Sam, fill your boots!

[DavenportSharky]

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/rug ... rt-9324006

French Pro D2 side lining up move for Sale Sharks full-back

French ProD2 side Soyaux Angouleme XV Charente have been linked with signing Sale Sharks' departing Tongan international full-back Telusa Veainu.

The former Leicester Tigers back joined Sale on a one-year deal after leaving Stade Francais last summer but is looking to play on.

[Olyy]

Confirmed leavers, from the Orange's email this afternoon:

Sam James
Manu Tuilagi
Cobus Wiese
Gus Creevy
Telusa Veainu
Tom Ellis
Ewan Murphy
Cal Ford
Cam Neild
Finn Rogers


Must admit I'd not heard of Rogers before today - 18yr old academy flyhalf. Odd to be leaving so early, wonder if he's transferring to a different academy (saw that he played age grade for Wigan Warriors) or maybe is going to uni elsewhere?

[Flumpty]

I've just had a nice email from Simon Orange, thanking me for my support this season, which was lovely.
In the body of the letter was a thank you to the departing players. Sam J, Manu, Tom Ellis, Gus Creevy & Cam Nield were out in the open, Telusa Veainu was perhaps expected. It also mentions Cal Ford, Finn Rogers & Ewan Murphy as deprtures -- I hope that they are able to find somewhere to carry on their careers.

[Olyy]

https://x.com/OptaJonny/status/18008983 ... 3h1Zg&s=19

EvR and Ben the top two dominant tacklers in the league this season, the only two making > 30, and Cobus third

Mad stats, especially as all three had periods out injured

[SSR]

Seems we are trying to sign Joseph Dweba at hooker ( rugby Pass/Fissler ).
If true then presumably we are losing LCD ?

[Yareet]

Seems we are trying to sign Joseph Dweba at hooker ( rugby Pass/Fissler ).
If true then presumably we are losing LCD ?

LCD re-signed didn’t he? Would this not be a replacement for Gus?

Having four first XV hookers a couple of seasons ago was probably too many but two feels light.

[SSR]

Probably right. I was a bit obsessed by LCDs disapearance from the Semi.
Good shout!

[Olyy]

Dweba is a great rugby player but his lineout is awful - considering the issues with our lineout with LCD starting I'd hope we'd look at a set piece specialist before a flanker in the 2 shirt

[Yareet]

Dweba is a great rugby player but his lineout is awful - considering the issues with our lineout with LCD starting I'd hope we'd look at a set piece specialist before a flanker in the 2 shirt

Full disclosure, that I have next to zero knowledge of SA rugby but this article would suggest his darts have improved

https://www.sarugbymag.co.za/stormers-s ... arks-radar

[DoctorSharky]

Dweba was very poor in France so hope he has improved. Would much sooner have looked at Chile’s Diego Escobar who recently signed for Racing. Really promising player and probably a budget bargain.

[Olyy]

Saw on Twitter he has the most not straights this season in South Africa (twice as many as next)
2nd most overthrown, 3rd most stolen

[Bucks1861]

“Now, needing to recruit in the position again this season, Sanderson is believed to have launched a second bid to prize the Bok hooker away from the Stormers.

But the report adds that Dweba is keen to remain in South Africa.

The 28-year-old joined the Stormers after a rather underwhelming stint at Bordeaux having shone with the Cheetahs before heading to France. He has become a regular starter for John Dobson’s side and has played six times for the Springboks since his debut against Argentina in 2021.

[RinTin]

I'm unsure why we need him? All I can think (as previously mentioned) is that LCD is crocked and will need some serious management next year.

We really missed a trick not going in for Nic Dolly before the Force snapped him up.

[Yareet]

I'm unsure why we need him? All I can think (as previously mentioned) is that LCD is crocked and will need some serious management next year.

We really missed a trick not going in for Nic Dolly before the Force snapped him up.

It’s replacing Creevy, no?

[RinTin]

I'm unsure why we need him? All I can think (as previously mentioned) is that LCD is crocked and will need some serious management next year.

We really missed a trick not going in for Nic Dolly before the Force snapped him up.

It’s replacing Creevy, no?

Caine replaces Creevy. We have LCD, TT and Caine. I can't see the logic in bringing in a pricey, second rate foreign international.

[Evo]

FWIW I think going into a new season with LCD, who has had his injury issues (and could still play Autumn internationals and 6N), Tommy, who also has had some significant injuries in the last couple of seasons and an unproven youngster would be extremely risky....didn't we have Langdon Jr and Thompson play at Exeter last season in our 43-0 drubbing!

[Olyy]

Langdon Jr looked good every time he played for us, even in the drubbing

If it's true that Saints are signing him then that's a really bad bit of business from us not to get him signed up

[Oh Danny Boy]

Nayacalevu Post on X Twitter

[Bucks1861]

https://themanc.com/sport/10-players-le ... he-season/

[Flumpty]

https://themanc.com/sport/10-players-le ... he-season/

Whoever wrote that article has a deep understanding of rugby union - if they're aged 5

[ChorltonShark]

Someone who knows bugger all about Rugby Union (and possibly team sports generally) had been told to write an article about Sale and then knocked that up after five minutes of googling.

[ale shark]

Someone who knows bugger all about Rugby Union (and possibly team sports generally) had been told to write an article about Sale and then knocked that up after five minutes of googling.

Must be AI, I can’t see how even 1 minute on Google can place us 5th in the BetFred Super League.