As we head into February my prediction of being top 4 is strangely prescient. Strangely because I predicted something slightly different; that we would struggle initially before coming good around January/February time.
And here we are having had a cracking opening and now a bit of a struggle. But top 4 we are, and top 4 we have earned. We deserve to be there.
We got there on the back of some hard working youngsters determined to stake a claim during a period of injuries; Polledri, Clarke & Ackermann in the back row have proven to be an awesome combination with Ludlow having to consistently hit the top of the Aviva tackle count to maintain his place in the squad.
News that Moriarty was definitely off to the regions was met with almost equanimity at Castle Grim as we kept lapping up the yards carried by a young Bok.
And, let’s be honest, Morgan’s return from injury has generally led to calls that he’s no longer the force he once was, that Clarke looks sharper, keener and fitter. And he lost none of that commentary in his captaincy during a generally lacklustre performance versus Ospreys.
And it has to be said there is not a man in The Shed that was surprised to see Conor O’Shea at Palma.
Thorley has surely nailed down a starting spot in Charlie’s absence. Hudson must be giving Johan selection problems with Marshall coming back and Woodward enjoying his game time.
Halaifonua continues to be the Brick Wall in our defense and can open their’s like a tin opener on his day (is it me or does he not seem to have aged a day since he joined us?).
The front five, for me, is an easier choice with Rapava-Ruskin, Hanson, Balmain, Savage & Slater being my first choice every time (I love Afoa but what Balmain did to Marler secures the spot for me).
The 9, 10, 12 has, for me, been Heinz, Burns, 36. (BV for me isn’t yet a 60/80 minute man but he soon will be). I think the wins over Falcons & Sarries show that 36 is better at 12.
So here it is, tough calls ahead. Our opening unstoppable run seemed to be almost as a result of the injuries. We had no options, we had to play the teams we selected. Now Johan has wider selection options things have just gone a teeny bit pear shaped.
The new(ish) phrase is “cohesion” and the team had it of course. They were playing regularly together. But now we have rotation and we have this mid-season stutter.
There are still plenty of games ahead of us with the AW, ERCC and Prem, a rare opportunity for a bite at all 3 perhaps. So rotation must be a factor. But we are told the senior squad will take another hit next season as StQ keeps trying to convince us he’s spending “to within 10p of the cap”. At the moment, with news of those leaving far outnumbering those joining our senior squad will number around 33 if there are no more new signings. We know Bokkies come cheap but if we flood the squad then what happens to the EQP? StQ can’t have it both ways.
With 9 games left in the Prem, looking at the fixtures, I think we’re through the tougher half of the season. The only two games that should give us a genuine test of our mettle are away at Sandy Park and The Allianz, but I think we have sufficient steel to win those also. I just think we need to now say we have the foundations of a strong team, let’s have faith in them.
The greatest risk any Shed Head can take is naming their personal starting line up. It opens them up to a world of debate and mockery but, for the record my starting 15 then:
15 Marshall 14 Sharples 13 Trinder 12 Twelvetrees 11 Thorley 10 Burns 9 Heinz
1 Rapava-Ruskin 2 Hanson 3 Balmain 4 Savage 5 Slater 6 Ackermann 7 Ludlow 8 Clarke
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