I think there are genuine debates over this years side over certain positions. Do we need a second hooker, if not then Seymour or Heremaia at scrum half. Crookes or Lineham on the wing, Arundel or Crooks in the centre. Who plays 13 Whiting, Weterman or Galea. Is there room for all three in the 17 if we play with a second hooker? What about Horne, what's his role.

If we need a second hooker:-

McDonnell
Crookes
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
Watts
Tickle
Ellis
Galea

Johnson
O'Meley
Heremaia
Whiting/Westerman

18th man - Horne

If we don't need a second hooker:-

McDonnell
Crookes
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Heremaia
Lynch
Houghton
Watts
Tickle
Ellis
Galea

Johnson
O'Meley
Westerman
Whiting

18th man - Horne

I've gone with Crookes over Lineham due to Tom's injury. Arundel over Crooks to start with for me. I'd like to see Galea play 13 as his extra handling skills will help the halves although there is a case for him being off the bench due to his age. I can't choose between Westerman and Whiting. I also don't see a place initially for Horne unless we only go with one prop off the bench which might be an option I guess.

I have also not included some other players such as Green and Pitts who did well last year.

Thoughts?

Your initial selection but probably Westy at loose man with Galea off the bench.

McDonnell
Crookes
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Seymour
Holdsworth
Watts
Houghton
Lynch
Ellis
Tickle
Galea

Heremaia
Johnson
O'Meley
Westerman

Same as pauls 1st team choice but got to be Westy at loose for me . Galae bench for impact

Back row leaves a few headaches

1. McDonnell
2. Crookes
3. Arundel
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe
6. Seymour
7. Holdsworth
8. Lynch
9. Houghton
10. Watts
11. Westerman
12. Ellis
13. Whiting

14. O'Meley
15. Pitts
16. Tickle
17. Heremaia

Mcdonnell
Lineham
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Watts
Houghton
Lynch
Tickle
Ellis
Galea


Subs
O'Meley
Johnson
Whiting
Heremaia

i'd go for

1 s mcdonnell
2 j crookes
3 j arundel
4 k yeaman
5 t briscoe
6 d holdsworth
7 b seymour
8 l watts
9 d houghton
10 a lynch
11 d tickle
12 g ellis
13 j westerman

14 m o'meley
15 r whiting
16 a heremaia
17 b galea

i've gone with 1 prop on the bench, because lynch can do good minutes, and with an exrta back row on the bench you could use tickle as a prop if need be.

Amazed that more people are starting Crookes on the wing in front of Lineham. Only seen Crookes play 6 times, but not once did he look as good as Lineham. Out of interest, those of you that are starting Crookes - what have you seen that I've missed?


Mcdonnell
Lineham
Crooks
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Watts
Heremaia
Lynch
Tickle
Ellis
Whiting


Subs
O'Meley
Green
Galea
Houghton

McDonnell (poor)
Crookes (average)
Arundel (average)
Yeaman (average)
Briscoe (world class)
Holdsworth (average)
Seymour (poor)
Lynch (good)
Houghton (v good)
Watts (v good)
Tickle (good)
Ellis (world class)
Galea (average)

Johnson (average)
O'Meley (average)
Heremaia (good)
Whiting/Westerman (average)

You will be lucky to get into the top 8 IMO

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Terrible trolling.

RT, isn't Lineham just coming back from injury? Is he back in training yet?

True, McDonnell should have been (v poor).

You have a good pack for next year, not much else going for you!!

Galea for Pitts at least to start with and Tickle swap with Westerman and that would be my starter for the season. Tickle to cover prop when Westerman comes on.

Pitts played in the middle for us last season and will hopefully be moving to prop, I don't think Galea can play the 13 role that PG will want.

I don't want to see Tickle playing in the middle at all, Whiting and Ellis could share it.