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.