Before we start, let's go over what has been confirmed;

IN - Ceri Sweeny

OUT - Rob Howley. James Goode, Rob Sidoli, Nick Macloed, Duane Goodfeild

Rumours In -Aled Brew
Rumours Out - Andy Powell, Marc Stcherbina, Tal Selley

Looking at that from a head coach's point of view, and I think you'd all agree, that next season's squad is undoubtedly weaker than this year. While I'm not arguing the release of Sid, James, Macca and Duane, you've really got to question where the replacements for the players are.

There are four players there, who could well be followed out the door by more, whose combined wage bill would be enough to bring in at least 1 high quality player, and I'm not referring to Sweeney.

Ok, lets start at the top. The front row. In the shape of Gethin Jenkins and Felise, you've got two very adequate props, while the form of Gareth Williams this year has been superb. As back up, John Yapp and Rhys Thomas certainly will do, but Gary Powell has been rather weak, and in truth, needs replacing. In all honest, a top quality 3 would be ideal, with Felise becoming back up to a player who can stand up against Europe's elite.

Then you've got the issue at second row. Having now released two second rows, I'm left wondering, well who's left, because other than the unshakeable Deiniol Jones and permanent partner, Tito, there's only Scott Morgan and injury-prone Bradley Davies as a recognised 4/5 in the squad. Chris Statamakis has been performing very well for Cardiff RFC, but I'd be quite worried if he was being considered as our 5^th choice lock. Lest not forget, Tito has limped his way through matches since Christmas, as Sid, Brad and Goode were injured. Perhaps I'm being a little harsh, but it wouldn't be unusual to see 2 of these 4 players injured for some time next season, so who exactly would be on the bench?

In all fairness to the board, the back row has been immense this year, the always excellent Martyn Williams has been shadowed by captain fantastic Xavier Rush, who has debateable been eclipsed by Molitika. However, with all respect to these guys, they are all getting older, and slower. Next year, Xav, Mart and Molly will all have to play one or two less matches, but in the shape of Sowden-Taylor and Ben White, we have 6 and 7 covered, my worry however is at 8. With Andy Powell missing from action for the last 2 years, his reliability isn't good enough to merit a contract, while Mark Lewis isn't good enough should Xav pick up and injury.

Nine is a position of real concern for me. If you're going to have a nWq player, he has to be one of your leading stars, particularly if he's at scrum half. Spice has had some good performances this season, in Europe especially, however, he's not one of the best SH's in world rugby, and in a key position such at 9, you have to have the best if you want to be competitive. Look at some of the Northern Hemisphere's best teams, Leicester, Toulouse and the Ospreys and already we've got names such as Harry Ellis, Jean-Baptiste Elisade, Byron Kelleher, Justin Marshall and Mike Phillips. Spice isn't close to the calibre of these guys. However, if you believe the rumours, then Spice is only here until next season, when we announce the signing of a World Class 9 to get the crowds flocking to the new stadium. South African January is already being linked. However, as long as Spice is at 9, we're never going to progress to European Champions.

It looks as though Sweeney's arrival has fixed all our problems at stand off, or so we've been told. So let me get this right, to build on this years good performances, we've replaced our 2^nd choice outside half (who admittedly wasn't great at 10, but was very good at 12 and 15) with a guy who has played awfully at the Dragons for the past 3 years. It's as if the board have still not learnt their lessons following injury-ravished year for our only competent fly half. Dai Flanagan will be third choice, and frankly he still has a lot of work to do if he wants to become a real regional stand off.

Centre has been another are of concern for me this year. Before the season began, I was delighted at the strength in depth we had at 12 and 13, however I fear the Alfie signing has brought the worst out of Jamie Robinson and Tom Shanklin. I don't want to be too harsh on Alfie, as he is a cracking player, but I don't think he suits our style of play, and when Marc Stcherbina played 12 last season, I though we always looked far more dangerous and entertaining. It looks likely that Stitch could be leaving, and that worries me no end. If he were to leave, Alfie and Hewitt would be the 1^st and 2^nd choice inside centres. While I'm not suggesting they're bad players, far from it, it just bothers me that with either of those crash ballers inside the silky Shanks and Jamie, we lose an edge. The same also goes with reference to Tom James out on the wing not seeing as much ball as he should.

That brings me neatly to the back 3 positions, 11, 14 and 15. Here I think we're very well covered indeed. Quite frankly, you can pick your choice of Tom James, Chris Czekaj, Ben Blair, Jamie Roberts and Rhys Williams, plus if Aled Brew is on his way to the Arms Park, then we've a lot to be happy about. When you consider how superb James, Blair and Roberts have been this season, adding the return from injury of Chris Czekaj and Rhys Williams, and no matter who plays, there's always a threat, Brew or no Brew. Should we have an insane injury crisis, we are even lucky enough to be able to call upon Roger Davies or Leigh Halfpenny, both of whom have been in majestic form for the Blue and Blacks this season.

Finally, the position of defence coach. With Howley leaving to take up his place as Wales coach, the Blues are left with a rather large void to fill. Scott Johnson rejected the Blues advances, preferring a role with the USA (a potential dodged bullet in my opinion). I've no idea who Dai Young has lined up for the role, but again, they need to be talking to the very best if they want to be the best.

Overall, next season is looking largely the same as this year. To be honest, we'll be boosted more by the returns of Rhysy, Chris and Bradley than the arrival of Sweeney. Hopefully there will be more players on their way, but I'm not holding much hope.

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