Quins vs Irish

[fivepointer]

Quins might be a bottom 4 side if they dont improve but relegation is unlikely. There is enough quality in the squad to push for top 6, though lack of depth in certain areas might be an issue. Problem is there are a number of other sides in roughly the same place vying for mid table positions.
They'll be some good wins along with some disappointing reverses. I think thats just where they are.
Quite impressed with Marcus Smith. For a teenager making a first start i thought he looked very composed.
Irish did themselves a power of good with a well earned win. They look physically well up for the challenge, and seem to be well organised. I can see them picking up important BP's along with some wins.

[Stom]

We need fresh blood.

where? In the team, or coaching? Starting team looked to have plenty of ability and potential to play well.

Coaching.

Apart from Rowntree, it's all old boys. Kingston, Easter, Dippy, NEv, Tofty, Tom Williams, Jim Evans, Colin Osbourne. These are guys who have been around the team for a decade at least. Only Rowntree and Jones are newish, and our scrum has improved, that's true...

[Raggs]

Thing is Quins normally do OK when they have the England boys, and collapsed for the rest, but if they already struggle with the England boys around, what happens when they go?

[Scrumhead]

We need fresh blood.

where? In the team, or coaching? Starting team looked to have plenty of ability and potential to play well.

The coaching team is more or less new (Evans, Easter, Jones etc). It's more the top layer i.e. Kingston and Mapletoft that are unpopular.

From a team point of view, we have a decent starting 23 if everyone is fit but we have a lot of internationals - most of whom actually make the starting XV or 23 for the countries so we don't get them back.

We have average players in too many key positions - particularly lock, openside flanker (with Wallace injured) and fly half, too many players who aren't worth what they're earning and lots of squad players who are fairly poor - i.e. players like Alofa and Stanley who get way too much game time relative to their ability.

[Scrumhead]

I should add that I think our recent signings are actually OK ...

I think Saili could be a great acquisition and while Catrakilis and Bothma are gambles, I can see the logic behind signing them. Also, as much as Dave Lewis and Phil Swainston don't excite me, both are fine for 3rd choice players.

What we lack is the quality in key places.

A better hooker, a better 2nd row partner for Horwill, an openside and a better fly half would transform our team IMO.

Marcus Smith may well evolve in to the 10 we've been crying out for, but it would be wrong to pin all of our hopes on an 18 year old right now.

[Stom]

We need fresh blood.

where? In the team, or coaching? Starting team looked to have plenty of ability and potential to play well.

The coaching team is more or less new (Evans, Easter, Jones etc). It's more the top layer i.e. Kingston and Mapletoft that are unpopular.

From a team point of view, we have a decent starting 23 if everyone is fit but we have a lot of internationals - most of whom actually make the starting XV or 23 for the countries so we don't get them back.

We have average players in too many key positions - particularly lock, openside flanker (with Wallace injured) and fly half, too many players who aren't worth what they're earning and lots of squad players who are fairly poor - i.e. players like Alofa and Stanley who get way too much game time relative to their ability.

The coaching team is, in total:

Kingston - been at Quins since 2001
Mapletoft - former Quins player, joined as coach in 2010
Rowntree - 2016
Easter - Quins player since 2004
Osbourne - At Quins since 1990! (a 3 year gap between 1993 and 1996)
NEv - Quins player since 2007
Jones - 2015
Diprose - At Quins as player then coach since 2001
Jim Evans - At Quins as player then coach since 1999
Tom Williams - At Quins as player then coach since 2004

That's even more inbred than Leicester usually manage!

[Banquo]

so even Quins fans can't agree the way forward

[Digby]

so even Quins fans can't agree the way forward

Bring back Deano

[Scrumhead]

so even Quins fans can't agree the way forward

Bring back Deano

Yes please. Will never, ever happen though ...

[kk67]

Only Rowntree and Jones are newish, and our scrum has improved, that's true...

Quins will be alright, Fella.
L.Irish are going to be a pain. They might be giants if their big men stay fit.
...and unselected.