[Olyy]

First of the season, as ever a very good read:
https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... -18-9-2024

Injury updates:
Nick Schonert- October towards November, more likely the latter
WillGriff John- scheduled to be back around round four
Dan du Preez- scheduled to be back around round four
Raffi - in the next six weeks

RMW will be going to Caldy for game time - think that's a very good move and something I've been championing on here for a while. Everyone raves about his training, just needs the experience to transfer that to the pitch which will require regular game time

[Yareet]

First of the season, as ever a very good read:
https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... -18-9-2024

Injury updates:
Nick Schonert- October towards November, more likely the latter
WillGriff John- scheduled to be back around round four
Dan du Preez- scheduled to be back around round four
Raffi - in the next six weeks

RMW will be going to Caldy for game time - think that's a very good move and something I've been championing on here for a while. Everyone raves about his training, just needs the experience to transfer that to the pitch which will require regular game time

In case you wondered, that's Falcons at home in mid-October. Sounds like they may all be back by around the time of the AIs

[RinTin]

Presume Jonny Hill is fit and firing then? I thought he was likely missing the first few rounds.

Reading between the lines it looks like Roets hasn't set the world alight since arriving, but of course it's a whole new scenario. Hope he develops well.

[Yareet]

Presume Jonny Hill is fit and firing then? I thought he was likely missing the first few rounds.

Reading between the lines it looks like Roets hasn't set the world alight since arriving, but of course it's a whole new scenario. Hope he develops well.

From last week in the chat around the Bath incident

“He’s up and about, and is a week or two off [injury],” Sanderson said. “We’ve got to wait to see what happens with the police and if the RFU do something after that. If it was down to us it would be the next week or the week after, with selection.

[Bucks1861]

https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... 02-10-2024

His latest update.

[Centrethreequarter]

Some better news on the BBC web site.

England fly-half George Ford has been handed a fitness boost for the November internationals after it was confirmed his quad injury does not need surgery.
The 31-year-old suffered a torn right quad during the early stages of Sale's defeat by Saracens last weekend, leading to fears he would miss the whole of his country's autumn campaign.
But following a "positive consultation", the 96-cap playmaker is now targeting a return in time for England's opener against New Zealand on Saturday, 2 November.
"He will now begin his rehab ahead of a busy period for club and country," said a Sale statement on Thursday.
A worst-case scenario would see Ford miss up to eight weeks, but both Sale and the player are confident he will be able to return much sooner.
However, he is set to miss his club's next two Premiership matches at least, which will give Harlequins' Marcus Smith and Northampton's Fin Smith a head start when it comes to competing for the England number 10 shirt.

[Olyy]

INJURY UPDATE


Good news- the whole du Preez contingent and Curry contingent are available and involved in the squad this Friday, really exciting as it could be first time in a year and a half all of them have been on the field at the same time


Tommy Taylor- hamstring injury in warm-ups of last pre-season game, suffering from a bit of sciatica, gone in for an epidural this week so best case back in a couple of weeks


Will Addison- got a finger in the eye in the first half against Gloucester

https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... 09-10-2024

Great news on all the twins, and as painful as a finger in the eye must be that's good news about Will - had feared the worst
Shame about Tommy - epidural doesn't sound fun! If LCD is going to be missing in the autumn internationals hopefully Tommy's return lines up with that

[poyntonshark]

It depends what's in Tommy's epidural. The procedure itself is simple enough, involves little more on his part than sitting down and leaning forwards.

[Surbiton_Shark]

Excellent news about having the De Preez's and Curry's in full attendance

Thanks for update on Addison - was wondering why he went off - he jogged off which didn't seem to suggest much serious

[DavenportSharky]

Mr Crichard’s contribution to the Sharktank podcast has been a welcome addition. The podcast has had a major revamp this season and is the better for it.

[RinTin]

https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... 15-10-2024

JL out of this weekend, Reed a doubt. Shame for Reed if he doesn't make it as his form is exceptional.

TC says he came off the pitch feeling great.

Schonert and WillGriff a little way off yet too.

[Olyy]

That is a shame about JL - lucky that we've got DDP back now, give JL as long as he needs

Hopefully Reed is fit, he's in such crazy form atm - Flats a decent backup to have though

Shame about the two tightheads but good for the development of Asher and Harper to have them sharing the load atm

Shame we'll have no England players for the Bath game but they'll be hit hard by it too

[SSR]

J-L situation does not sound good, hope he makes a full recovery before playing again.
If Reed is injured, then would much rather have Addison cover at wing.
If we are rotating Waisea and Addison, then Waisea needs to start upping his game.
Looks like the loser next weekend will be playing the depth of injuries card ( with some
justification)?

[Beardedshark]

The Johnny Hill situation is a farce

[Bucks1861]

Surely, there must come a point when the club, or the player, could argue unfair restraint of trade? If you’re innocent until convicted of any offence; I’m at a loss to understand why he can’t play.

However, I don’t know if there are Premiership Rugby protocols which prohibit a player from playing if they are under caution.

IMHO it’s because farcical.

I feel for him and his family.

[ageinghoody]

The Johnny Hill situation is a farce

I doubt that the other party to the "confrontation" is being prevented from plying his trade.

[PappjeShark]

The inconsistency is puzzling when we consider there was at least one premiership footballer being allowed to play on while under investigation for sexual assault last season IIRC.

Separately, interesting to note Axe suggesting the Carps stinker was down to him missing out on the England training camp. He’s young and he’ll get better at managing those emotions.

[ledzepsfr]

Is it the police or the club preventing JH from playing?

[Olyy]

Doesn't sound like it's our choice - I wonder if the PRL have a policy of suspending players for the duration of criminal investigation?

[FarnhamShark]

It would be nice if the Club could clarify - they don't have to express an opinion, just state the facts.

[Olyy]

https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... 22-10-2024

George Ford- out of the club’s hands whether he is available this weekend, has gone into England camp, needs to keep his face with England having missed out on the summer tour, wants to play at next World Cup, all of that rolled up in motivations to stay in the country, miles off what French clubs can offer but whole package if he can see his future to the World Cup with us as his club, has to fit for every reason, better for him and for us long term that he has gone into camp, would have been training at 80% volume if he was training with us this week, had assurances that he will be training at 60% with England due to intensity, if he trains really well this week there is an outside chance he could be available for us this weekend

Raffi Quirke- very close to a return. Strength in his wrists is there and he is running, need to get more range in him so that if were to fall on it again he would not suffer same injury again, just days away now

Bevan Rodd- a couple of weeks away

Nick Schonert- a week or two after Bevan Rodd

WillGriff John- another two weeks

Arron Reed (hip pointer) and Jean-Luc du Preez (head) should be available this weekend

Tommy Taylor- out until January with a slipped disc, did not need surgery but period of rehabilitation

Still no update on Jonny Hill, who is fully fit and training

Some contract talk in there too - to me it sounds like we're gonna lose a Du Preez but retain Ford and LCD (and maybe Hill, guess that depends what offers he gets after so long out through injury and misadventure)
Not sure on Raffi, part of it sounds promising, part of it sounds like we're gonna offer him a reduced contract and he'll go elsewhere

[poyntonshark]

Not sure on the DuPreez, Alex did say that the club has had approaches for the twins, but as they are both under contract the club needs to give permission for anyone else to speak to them. I don't think he confirmed whether that permission had been given or not.

[Olyy]

It's more just the gut feeling I got from reading it than anything specific said

[SSR]

Just as an aside but should this topic be a "sticky" ?

[Yareet]

It’s not one of Kieran’s articles but the latest BBC podcast has a brief chat about George - ahead of schedule and may be available for the NZ game.

They also have a good convo with Dickie. He talks about his neck/arm/heart issues and seems to be back to almost fighting fitness.

He’s quit gaming (despite having been one of the world’s best) and drinking as both were detrimental to his performance.

Seems like we might be about to get LCD 2.0 and it could be a major upgrade.

[Bucks1861]

More details on LCD

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... qxn7zq5vpo

[Bucks1861]

https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... 26-11-2024


Latest post in case you missed it. Again, thank you Kieran.

[RinTin]

Surprised at the comments re the DP twins.

Good to see so many back for this weekend especially Sharky and JL who went off vs Newcastle.

Not sure how I feel about TC coming straight back into the starting team given the most recent concussion. Left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Bucks1861]

https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... 04-12-2024

This week’s edition. Again with grateful thanks to Kieran.

[RinTin]

Bedlow and Naya both back.... do they even make the 23 after how well our backs went last weekend?

[poyntonshark]

I reckon Bedlow might

[SSR]

Naya is back where ?

[poyntonshark]

Apparently Naya was available for selection this week.

[Dave L]

Do we think that the club and Naya could agree to go their separate ways in January? Rugby contracts seem a lot more fluid than those in other sports.

The vibes haven’t been great. He’s looked totally disjointed from the rest of the team in his appearances, a liability frankly. Add in Axe’s comments about him not settling off the field and the high salary he’s on and you wonder if it’s best to cut our losses.

Every home game in the prem is a must win now and we need to win a chunk of our away games and take bonus points from the rest. It’s a similar case with our euro games. Where do you take the risk to try to blood him back into the team?

Given Luke’s recent form we do have reliable options in the centres. Flats coming back to fitness also gives us another option on the wing/full back to free up Luke and Will Addison to play at centre..

Luke/Bedlow - 12

RDP/Addison - 13

[45jumper]

He hasn't been great but I think it's a bit early to completely write him off. We've just got rid of our defence coach so I'd be inclined to give him a go under the new regime.
Also, he's on a big salary, who'd be willing to take it on at this time of the season?

[Yareet]

Jack Nowell is on a BBC podcast this week talking about his move to La Rochelle.

He mentions advice he was given that it takes 6/7 months to properly settle in to a new club.

Nowell’s situation is exacerbated by a language difference and having kids who need to move schools/learn a new language but even so, I can see how it can take some time.

[Olyy]

This week's article:
https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... 18-12-2024


Re-signing news:

Du Preezs- “still in negotiations, confident for the most part”

Sit down with Jonny Hill in the next week or two now he is back fit and playing

Talks with Tom Curry well under way and positive

George Ford sat down with Simon Orange last week with George being the marquee player

Christmas Day there will be a few presents

Raffi Quirke- talks going on now he is back fit, he wants to stay, there have been rumours linking him with Harlequins but Raffi has told Al he has not spoken to them, only speaking to us and told his agent that. We want him to stay. We will sit down with him over the next few weeks

Injury news:

George Ford- went for a scan today (Tuesday) to see what pain medication he may need, either a pill or injection, purely precautionary, no drama, up for selection, feeling his medial ligament slightly which affects kicking from the floor

Tom Curry- could be back for Bristol game (27th December). Stem-cell procedure, that is fairly new, went well, been in this week, feels good in body and mind, long-term benefit to Tom to do the procedure

Nick Schonert- out eight to ten weeks. Played Newcastle game, we were building him up for Racing, increased his loads but the ankle he had his operation on has not reacted well. WillGriff John, who was in for injury dispensation, is now signed through to the end of the season, lucky to have him and played really well against Racing

That's really sad to hear about Schonert - will be almost a year out by that point, I think
Good to have retained WGJ though - he went really well vs Racing considering it was his first game in a while, few early wobbles in the scrum but once he got his eye in we won a number of penalties

That's much earlier back for TC than I expected, as well - I thought it'd be like a week or two before the 6N

[SSR]

Sadly Schonert has been less than robust for a few seasons. With James Harper having
problems with injuries and consistency, what is the scrum pecking order and can we cope
without buying in?

[Olyy]

Guess we'll find out this weekend - Harper will be out with concussion stand down so it'll be AOC and WGJ, not sure which will start

[RinTin]

Asher will start I'd imagine. He's first choice tighthead. By the looks of it Raffi will get a run from the start too.

Despite the comments in the article I'm pretty resigned to losing at least one DP in the summer.

[Yareet]

Guess we'll find out this weekend - Harper will be out with concussion stand down so it'll be AOC and WGJ, not sure which will start

Taking time out from her work in US politics?

[Olyy]

Prem's back, KC's back!
https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... -19-3-2025

Injury news:
Dan du Preez and Raffi Quirke out for a few week
Nick Schonert and Tommy Taylor still a way off
Luke James out injured


Other interesting notes:
WGJ has another year with us (not sure if this was known before, but in my head he was only here to the end of this)
We chanced our arm getting Jibulu immediately but Quins, understandably, said no chance

[ledzepsfr]

https://kierancrichard.wixsite.com/webs ... 03-04-2025

[Olyy]

Great that RMW and LJ are both back - was a bit concerned about centre after Bedlow and Addison both went off last week
Would imagine both will be in the 23, one at 12 the other at 22

[RinTin]

Disappointing Dan and Raffi are still out. Regardless we should be able to put out a very strong team.

Available we have an all England front row, 2 outstanding flankers available in TC and BC with JL at 8, Ford pulling the strings and one of the in form wingers in European rugby in Roebuck. Ford wants the Lions tour so I'm hoping this is where he proves he deserves a spot on the plane. Same opportunity for the likes of Ben Curry and LCD imo.

Supplement with Hill, EVR, Ma-asi White and Carpenter and we have a chance of pushing the best in Europe. I'm looking forward to this.