Comments on: Aviva Premiership 2014/2015: XV to watch

By: Andrew

Andrew — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 11:27:14 +0000

I’m always a little surprised when any website offers the XV to watch as they never seem to link up with mine. Saying that mine always seem to get injured within a month and thus prove me wrong indefinitely. There are certainly a few movers a shakers in the list above but apart from the imminent arrival of Sam Burgess (who I really think needs to be playing at 12 and not 13 so he can play with Manu in the long run) I really think consideration needs to be given to Joe Marler and Alistair Hargreeves who have both been ‘promoted’ to captain and will both have a very tough season ahead.

There will be a lot of time to consider the England XV after the internationals but if Burgess acclimatises to Union quickly I can’t see a reason not to play him in the Six Nations to test the water.
I also think the No 10 shirt will be one to watch as George Ford will be closing in on Farrell and if Freddie Burns manages to show his talent as he did during the Autumn internationals then he’s right back in contention. As are Cipriani and Myler – TOO MUCH CHOICE!!!!!

By: Dazza

Dazza — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 08:05:46 +0000

I really thought Sam Burgess would be in the XV to watch!!??

By: Fearless Fred

Fearless Fred — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 10:29:18 +0000

Both Tiks and Charlie W can play in the centres, and with G-Lo looking to return at the end of October, we’ve an embarrassment of riches available at OC, Wing and FB this season!

As for Charlie Matthews, last season he spent a fair bit injured near the start (which was why Nick Easter played a lot of 2nd row then). I would hop to see CM playing more regularly. When he *has* played, he’s been developing nicely. It’s just that he was part of our injury plague in 2013/14. I’d also guess that we’ll see Twomey and Merrick on the bench more for 2nd row cover, rather than relying on Minty. If they are to develop and become seasoned players, they need the game-time now.

By: Andy O

Andy O — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 08:52:56 +0000

I think Tiki will play 13 a lot for Quins this year.

By: Henry

Henry — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 08:38:28 +0000

Really interesting that you picked 2 harlequin wings here, Walker and Tikoirotuma, especially given Yarde’s arrival I would imagine one of them to be regularly missing out. And with Monye still a favourite there. However that being said I have to agree with you- both really exciting picks, and, as I think I have rambled about a lot on here, Walker is a really intriguing talent. He’s got the complete skill set- I would have him as the dark horse for a WC spot (over May and Ashton certainly, alongside Nowell, Yarde and Wade). One of those ‘good footballers’ in the mould or an O’connor or Ben Smith that the southern hemisphere seem to role out on a conveyor belt but we haven’t seen in the England team since Tait (see also Eliot Daly cough cough)- pace, vision, can kick and has a wicked step of both feet. I like.

Also going to be interesting to see how Devoto pushes on- again another serious all round talent but really should be a 12, however with Eastmond and Burgess arriving, think he may get marginalised into a utility player filling in where needs be (10,12,13 or 15), which would be a huge shame and probably stifle any England prospects for the time being (again, see Daly!).

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 08:16:56 +0000

Matthews is an interesting one. He looked ok at Quins last year but I expect we will Easter partnering Robson more often than not, with Jack Clifford given more game time. Easter moved into lock a lot last season with Guest wearing the 8 shirt, and I expect to see a lot more of that. On that note, I expect a big season from Clifford, he has looked really good every time I have seen him play.

Glad to see the two stand out Wasps signings on this list – I think both Leuia and Davies will be really important to Wasps this year. Davies/Launchbury look as good as any lock pairing in the league.