It would be worth considering the Bulls back in the eight, they were competitive last season and there has yet to be the fire sale of players many expected (so far).
Hudds could well drop out other than that I really don't see any big changes I'd say six from eight with a fair degree of certainty.
As for us, it'll be a tough ask to maintain eighth but it should be a realistic target and as well as keeping Smith and Sykes on the park we welcome Poore to strengthen (hopefully) the front row and have Aiton back.
With Sykes and Smith pulling the strings from game one its fingers crossed.

I'm sorry but I'm a bit stunned that some people are actually suggesting we suffered any serious level of injuries last season - because we didn't especially towards the end. Only Southern had an injury that troubled him out most of the season. The rest were very moderate indeed and easily covered. There was no glut of injuries in any position and at no point did we put out a team that wasn't competitive at least on paper. We were lucky. Nothing wrong with that, all teams need luck and all teams that do well usually have a injury free season.

But come on, the gods shined in that respect last year.

Of course we played well, no one doubts that. However we were able to play well because we had most of our best players available most of the time. That's nothing to do with believing, that is pure logic

good to be discussing why we were so good.........but my point is that southern was injured most of season(agreed) but surely losing Aiton at the time must have been a massive blow to us (we had to recall Ellis) and the guys all upped their games and played very well.................

Agreed, comparitively speaking we were pretty lucky with regards to injuries last season.

Tim Smith..... Signs another year deal so in total he is at WTW for the 2013 AND 2014 season.

Happy Days......

One happy bunny here!!!!

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=539568&tsmp=1351794179 "I know Tim Smith signed a new one year deal in July.. but maybe we've give him an extra 1 to make it into a 2 year deal? hmmmm." I KNEW IT! haa

viewtopic.php?f=33&t=539568&tsmp=1351794179 "I know Tim Smith signed a new one year deal in July.. but maybe we've give him an extra 1 to make it into a 2 year deal? hmmmm." I KNEW IT! haa

Not sure i put it down to luck. Think the way we shared out the work and rotated our forwards helped. Some players didn't play every game and took a while to break into the team last year. Mariano and Ellis where too examples of that. If anything credit probably goes to Agar for this as think he handled squad very well overall over last season.

It will be interesting to see what happens with this, I hope Ellis wasn't as influential in those seven wins as I thought at the time.

Should be a cracking season to come and if we can make the 8 again and get a bit further when it comes to the play offs and the cup it will do me.I think we will make the 8 a lot easier than the season gone but as has been said some sides will know they have to be on top of their game and will be prepared for us.We have the basis of a good side and who knows where we can get with a bit of luck and that luck includes not having half the side out injured at some point.

I will be satisfied if we win more than we lose.