In isolation a good signing. But… The issue everyone identified last season was not enough props and certainly not enough size. We’ve signed 9 new players, only 2 of them address the issues we had last season. 1 of them is ruled out for a long time through injury, too. I’m not into playing Baker, Bent, Grady out of position either. It didn’t work last season and it probably won’t work next season.
On the size problem, Cloughy was listed as just over 16 stone, all the props signed to date are listed at 16 stone plus Grady at 16 stone +. So size is covered at an age when it should be backed by energy.
Experience is essential to direct the size and youth of our pack. Fozard and Brown are both well experienced at our level and over and presumably will combine with Matty Smith to manipulate and direct our lively pack.
I have to say the squad being put together seems more ‘capable’ to cope with the more specific demand s of the Championship than our squad last season. I am hoping for another four or five signings including Hulme and Tilleke and the seasoned prop we all want. The other signing(s) depend on Tomkins playing or not.
If we are to get the 27 or 28 man squad SF has been taking about, currently we would need 7 or 8 more players, new signings or retentions...
2 or 3 of them need to be props.
Brown is a good player and very experienced at this level so a good addition.
Simon also made the point that all players next year will have played Championship rugby and should be playing in their normal position, forward or back. In addition the number of experienced players is a massive change from last season.
That makes a great deal of difference to the choice of game plan and the chances of the team putting the plan into action.
I am sure everyone is looking forward to seeing how the new players will gel and perform next season. We also need players who want to win the championship and not just happy to make the playoffs and settle to keep their part time status. This is a big challenge for the club also