Build a "budget" top 6 pack

[Raggs]

So you've just been handed the big job for Mediocre RFC. They've got promotion to the premiership, and they need you to build them a pack that should keep them from relegation, and push for top 6 after a few seasons gelling. They've got great coaches, but not the largest budget. Who are you going to try targeting?

On a less roleplaying sort of note, I was thinking about Saints, and their pack issues (in my mind, too many workhorses, not enough carriers), then got to thinking what sort of budget pack I could put together from players that may be willing to move, and shouldn't be too costly (not close to England, 2nd choice or lower etc). Trying to avoid young hopefuls who've not really proven themselves, and also people you think could stand up, but haven't actually played AP yet etc. Trying to avoid Saracens, because quite simply when their 4th choice lock is Skelton, 3rd choice hooker is Tolofua etc etc, it doesn't seem particularly in keeping with the idea.

1. McIntyre - 2nd choice at Wasps, decent (not Mako/Genge) carrier, scrummager and tackler.
2. Kyle Cooper - Perhaps 1st choice at Falcons, but seems to have good attitude, set piece, and a half decent carrier.
3. Jamal Ford-Robinson/Keiran Brookes - Mostly because this started as a Saints thing for me, whichever is willing to come for less. OK scrummagers, both capable of doing some carrying.
4/5 Whichever 2 from Rowlands/Symons/Gaskell feel they're lowest ranked at Wasps. Probably some other very good options out there, but I know the Wasps boys well. Offers some carrying options.
6. Gibson - Again, as this started with Saints, arguably behind Wood for the 6 shirt, and Harrison for the 7/8, especially with Brussouw on the way. Workhorse with very good lineout skills.
7. Kvesic, if he's taken Salvi's spot at Exeter, then Salvi.
8. Reider - Another workhorse but also a decent carrier.

Don't think any of the above would break the bank, and all would likely enjoy the idea of being guaranteed first choice. I think there's enough workrate and pace there to support a wider game if need be, and enough carriers to be able to generate front foot ball. Have a few ideas for bench players but not a full bench yet.

Anyone else want to play or suggest ideas?

[fivepointer]

How about a Harry Wells & Christian Scotland-Williams combo at lock?
Harry Thacker at hooker - he should be a Prem starter.
Cameron Nield is a good player and how about Max Lahiff at prop.

[Digby]

Nathan Catt
Cameron Neild (relying on the great coaches here when thinking of the lineout)
Pat Cilliers (did think of Morray Low but he's a few years older)
Dominic Barrow (again relying on coaches to gain some consistency)
Calum Green
TJ Ioane
Lewis Ludlam
Nili Latu

Back row is going to cause some lineout issues, especially when Green isn't the tallest even assuming Neild throws well

[Raggs]

Catt, Barrow, Green, Ioane and Latu all seem to be pretty highly rated players and 1st choice when fit, might struggle to convince some to move. Looks like a hardworking mobile pack though. Latu and Ioane can provide some good carrying options. Nice.

Thacker at hooker is a good call, same with Nield (agreed with the need for good coaches though!).

[Digby]

Catt, Barrow, Green, Ioane and Latu all seem to be pretty highly rated players and 1st choice when fit, might struggle to convince some to move. Looks like a hardworking mobile pack though. Latu and Ioane can provide some good carrying options. Nice.

Thacker at hooker is a good call, same with Nield (agreed with the need for good coaches though!).

Not sure if Catt is 1st choice or not with so many long term prop injury issues at Bath and now the emergence of Obano. Barrow might be a tough purchase, but the others whilst maybe Ioane aside are first choice aren't at big name clubs. Although seeing as you want to sign them for Mediocre XV it might still be a flight of fancy

Tarus at Sale might be on a cheap contract for a prop, similar Ribband for a lock

[Scrumhead]

Interesting thread. The way I see it, we’re really talking about players who possibly aren’t a first choice at a top 6 club or are at clubs in the bottom half of the table but capable of playing at a higher level.

I’d go for:

1. Bateman (Leicester)
2. McGuigan (Leicester)
3. Schonert (Worcester)
4. Spencer (Worcester)
5. Green (Newcastle)
6. Reider (Wasps)
7. Welch (Newcastle)
8. Thompson (Wasps)

McGuigan is an interesting one for me. He was starting to look really good for Newcastle and hasn’t really nailed down a place at Leicester. With regular game time, I think he could be very good.

[Raggs]

Think that the 1st choice in the bottom half of the table would also need to be those that flitter between 1st choice and not. Could you really see Schonert for instance moving from Wuss to a freshly promoted side?

Like Bateman though, and McGuigan, though if I was building a bench, I'd go with Cruse since I like his hands and pace to finish a game.

[Banquo]

My days of a 6 pack are long gone

[Scrumhead]

Think that the 1st choice in the bottom half of the table would also need to be those that flitter between 1st choice and not. Could you really see Schonert for instance moving from Wuss to a freshly promoted side?

Like Bateman though, and McGuigan, though if I was building a bench, I'd go with Cruse since I like his hands and pace to finish a game.

Probably not, but then I wouldn’t see Gibson doing that either ...

There’s a lot of decent players who aren’t first choice. Put together in a single pack, they could definitely compete.

[Raggs]

Think that the 1st choice in the bottom half of the table would also need to be those that flitter between 1st choice and not. Could you really see Schonert for instance moving from Wuss to a freshly promoted side?

Like Bateman though, and McGuigan, though if I was building a bench, I'd go with Cruse since I like his hands and pace to finish a game.

Probably not, but then I wouldn’t see Gibson doing that either ...

There’s a lot of decent players who aren’t first choice. Put together in a single pack, they could definitely compete.

Fair point on Gibson, is he really first choice for Saints though? Especially with Brussouw on the way? Plenty of other options out there though I'm sure.

[Banquo]

How about Garvey....must be a bit vulnerable....

[Digby]

James Craig always looked like he'd achieve more, he can't be first choice given he's missed so much rugby

[padprop]

1) Sona Taumalolo
2) Shota Horie
3) Jamie Mcintosh
4) Will Rowlands
5) Will Spencer
6) Sam Jones
7) Matt Hankin
8) Guy Thompson

[Mellsblue]

I’d imagine Sam Jones is already feeling down. Being described as ‘budget’ might make him suicidal.

[Banquo]

I’d imagine Sam Jones is already feeling down. Being described as ‘budget’ might make him suicidal.

didn't he get called up by Eddie not so long ago?

[Banquo]

I’d imagine Sam Jones is already feeling down. Being described as ‘budget’ might make him suicidal.

didn't he get called up by Eddie not so long ago?

poor sod, just read up on what has happened since. Unlucky, and a very 'unfortunate' incident

[Digby]

Mells has corrupted another

[padprop]

I’d imagine Sam Jones is already feeling down. Being described as ‘budget’ might make him suicidal.

I think your confusing the newly established way of describing something as average as "Budget", whereas I was just suggesting he's probably on quite a low salary and therefore attainable for old pisspoorians RFC.

[Adam_P]

How about a Harry Wells & Christian Scotland-Williams combo at lock?
Harry Thacker at hooker - he should be a Prem starter.
Cameron Nield is a good player and how about Max Lahiff at prop.

Funnily enough Scotland-Williams has recently been on the rumour mill for Saints next season. I certainly would not object, very robust defender who could be a great combo with Lawes.

[Raggs]

Sam Jones is extremely highly rated by Wasps though, not newly established either, he's been in the 23 whenever he's been fit, for seasons, he's just had lots of injuries, not sure Mediocre RFC could necessarily offer a better pay package, or would be taken a large risk on an often injured player, perhaps not the sort of guy they need.

Scotland-Williams would strike me as exactly the sort of player Saints don't need. I may be wrong, but he doesn't look that powerful, for supporting the scrum, and I've not seen him put in any decent carries (though don't watch him carefully).

Garvey is an interesting one. I'd had it pointed out that my pack could perhaps be viewed as lacking grizzled veterans, and Garvey could fill that role, not sure if Bath see him as anything but 1st choice though.

[Banquo]

Sam Jones is extremely highly rated by Wasps though, not newly established either, he's been in the 23 whenever he's been fit, for seasons, he's just had lots of injuries, not sure Mediocre RFC could necessarily offer a better pay package, or would be taken a large risk on an often injured player, perhaps not the sort of guy they need.

Scotland-Williams would strike me as exactly the sort of player Saints don't need. I may be wrong, but he doesn't look that powerful, for supporting the scrum, and I've not seen him put in any decent carries (though don't watch him carefully).

Garvey is an interesting one. I'd had it pointed out that my pack could perhaps be viewed as lacking grizzled veterans, and Garvey could fill that role, not sure if Bath see him as anything but 1st choice though.

Good question, but with Louw, Underhill and Mercer, plus Faletau all fit, he'd likely be benching at best.

[Which Tyler]

Garvey is captain and most definitely first choice starter. He offers the grit that none of those others do, I suspect we'll be seeing rotation, as Todd has shown that he's a fan, especially with Louw getting a little older and Underhill being selected for England, or injured.

[Digby]

Garvey would be pretty much my 1st pick in the Bath back row given he offers, as WT says, something different. Faletau is maybe the best player, but Grant and increasingly Mercer will do a job there if needed. Whether Bath rate Garvey that much I don't know, different management now of course but this is the same genius club that picked Burgess ahead of Garvey and binned a better chance to win the AP

[Banquo]

Garvey would be pretty much my 1st pick in the Bath back row given he offers, as WT says, something different. Faletau is maybe the best player, but Grant and increasingly Mercer will do a job there if needed. Whether Bath rate Garvey that much I don't know, different management now of course but this is the same genius club that picked Burgess ahead of Garvey and binned a better chance to win the AP

takes all sorts I suppose. Gritty.

[Which Tyler]

Todd definitely rates Garvey; he was onfield (co)captain whenever he played last year, and is full-time captain this year.
I don't recall him ever being dropped by Todd either.

Baths fully fit and available is Garvey, Faletau and Louw with Underhill on the bench. Backrowers suffer so many injuries though, I think that anyone in the top 6 for their club gets enough starts to be considered secure where they are.
If Pisspoor RFC want a Bath flanker, I'd say their best bet is Ellis, who looked to be on his way to being very good, but may find himself further down the pecking order than he deserves to be. Also helps out in the lineout, being an ex-lock.