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The main selection decisions are what position does Worth play and who plays 7. Rest of the team probably picks itself. I imagine Ulqoq will play 7 if Eckersley is unavailable. Hopefully his injury isn’t long term as I think he could be an important player for us. Finch didn’t feature at all in pre season so I assume won’t play next week.

Personally, I’d play Hutler on the wing and have Worth at 23. Which seems crazy not having Worth starting but I think James has the slight edge at 15 and Titherington at 13 and I don’t think he’s best suited on the wing. I suspect he will start at 14 though. When Kershaw is back someone will have to miss out!

Jamie Jack being injured is a blow. I wonder if we’ll see Ollie Scola or Aiden Reed.

It was good to see Deano on the pitch, and full pelt committed.
Agree with others., no point rushing ‘almost fit’ players back for this one.
They wont be as unprepared as last season start. This will be about best combinations and rehearsed patterns. Looking forward to it.

Following Friday's game against Bath it is amazing how positive Blues supporters are about the coming season.

Last year's results count for little, my feeling are that we have a very competitive team from day one.

Lots of clubs have been restructuring their teams, ours is virtually last year's squad give or take which came so very close last year!

COYB

Fair observation Compo, but…


If other clubs have made new signings and thereby improved, we can mostly only improve via coaching. I’m not suggesting we are not competitive, but if we stand still others will, on occasions, overtake us. Over to the coaches then.

Also looking forward to the season. I won’t be judging much on our first match though. Win or Lose.
👍

I do think some clubs have improved whereas will have basically remained still. Although I think all 4 signings have improved the squad in some way. We lacked an out and out 7 all who could win turnovers last season so I think Eckersley will really add something (when fit). We now have a reliable backup tighthead (although perhaps are missing a backup loosehead without Jack), some cover at fly half and Kershaw gives us another X factor player. None of the players they replaced really contributed (unless we count Fyn Brown but I think Eckersley is still an upgrade). Louis James is almost like a new signing too having missed about 1/3 of last season.

As ever, I think the main factor that will determine our success is injuries. Our starting 15/23 is as good as anybody in the league (bar Ealing), but we don’t have much depth and a few injuries can really dilute the quality and means we have to rely on whatever Saints have available. Which is particularly a struggle if we need players during u20 six nations and/or prem cup fixtures. I still think we should’ve signed one more centre to cover Booj, unless the plan is for Dufficy to play 12 occasionally. And hopefully Day has one more decent season left in him because I think his level has started to drop with age.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026:09:15:05:09:56 by Bluesman23.