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Great preview NLB. Reminded me there's a lot more happened over the summer than I thought, and a number of reasons to be cheerful, part 2018!

Great write up lads. Does this mean that you will be in action this season? Is the blog going to be produced? I hope so.

All the best

A

Really good stuff - getting my usual mixture of nerves and excitement already! I echo Stoopendous' comments - hope there's more to come this season!

Great preview. Thank you.

Nice preview!

Great write up which I think puts a rightly positive spin on our squad development from last year.

I don't think anyone can argue that the squad isn't stronger this season, apart from possibly at Fly Half where I think we will need to come to a decision on who the main man is otherwise we'll lack consistency in a crucial area of the pitch.

The other areas of slight concern are at lock, where without Twomey we look a bit light, and possibly in the back three if and when Brown, Visser and Yarde all go on international duty.

But generally we look in pretty good shape with some decent options across the pitch.

The question is have we improved more than those above us and enough to keep those below us at bay.

Personally I think that NLB has it spot on in that teams like Gloucester, Worcester, Sale and Newcastle (and even London Irish who will be much better than Bristol) are now more of a threat, but teams like Northampton, Leicester and Bath are there for the taking.

My own prediction is that we'll finish 5th/6th, but it's certainly going to be exciting.

And available with better pictures on the offy!

Fame!!

I too can claim that I have never missed a kick in a Final!

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If at first you don't succeed, Try, Try and Try again.

Cheers for the feedback and comments guys.

No podcast this season though, we've hung up those microphones! We will keep posting things as and when using CAW - Off to the Premiership launch on Thursday - so will write up some bits from that and get it on the website ASAP!

NLB

Thanks NLB enjoyed the preview - looking forward to hearing about the launch ...

Great preview NLB.

However, I think what everyine is overlooking (& this may have happened after the report was written), is that without Wallace, & with Robshaw absent on international duty, we have zero 7s in the pack.

Yes we have Dave Ward, who I absolutely love as a makeshift 7, but to go into the season with your main 7 for half the season as a converted hooker and no back up is, to say the least, a bit of a worry.

Stooperman - it's a fair point. Not overlooked from our perspective.

Here is my view :
1) Quins can't just go and get another 7 - so you have to work with what you have. Ward at 7 may be the option- we have 3 other hookers in the squad plus academy options

2) I was not convinced Wallace was a nailed on starter, with everyone fit. In the past Quins have played without a traditional 7. My preferred back row of days gone by included Guest, Robshaw and Easter.
Quins can play a left and right option, with Robshaw and Clifford, leaving Luamanu to play 8. We also have Chisholm Jnr, who can fill in. It's not ideal, but it is what it is. When you throw in Ward, who is probably the best 7 option around, available. I don;t see it being so concerning.

We may find that the club manage to bring in a replacement, but chances are and history shows that they are likely to be squad players that can cover A-League etc.

NLB,

Good reply, & I agree with some of what you say. However, I feel Clifford is an 8/6, Bothma is an 8, Luamanu is an 8/4. Also, whilst Guestie was one of my absolute fave players, he was very breakable...and we were blessed with the freakish unbreakability of nick Easter. Clifford seems to me to be an absolute replica of Guestie...talented, pacey, good hands - but ultimately 2nd fiddle as 6 or 8, and will never give you a full season.

I'm not being a doom and gloom merchant, I'm going to go out on a limb and say 5th this year, but the back row is the area that really concerns me.

Yeah it's all the same stuff I think really - I think in
Robshaw
Clifford
Luamanu
Bothma
Chisholm Jnr
Ward -
you have options...

Archie White is a seven isn't he???

Quote:

HonkyTonk
Archie White is a seven isn't he???

He's certainly a Back Row, as is Lamb and South can play there too (he was listed as a Back Row in the team announcement for the game agains LI:

South spent most of his time DR with Esher and then Richmond in the back row

Good write up, thanks. I hope you're right about Bothma. I know nothi9ng about him, but he seems to have been hypoed quite a lot, so hope he can live up to it.

the one point I'd disagree with is that Lewis looks to be an improvement on Dickson, unless I misunderstood that bit.

Otherwise I think there are definitely grounds to be optimistic. Can't wait now

Bothma has played across the back row at 6,7 and 8 - although I'm guessing he's been signed as a long term replacement for Minty at 8.