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1. Conway
2. Fish
3. Heffernan
4. Ward
5. Woolford
6. Tuilagi
7.
8. Uru
9. Day
10. Maisey
11. Deano
12. Titherington
13. Booj
14. Hutler
15. James


7 is the main spot I'm unsure about, Sylvester has looked good. I've also been impressed with one of the flankers, but I can't remember their name, I think it may have been Hoskings. 13 is another one, I think we'll see more of Booj at the beginning of the season rather than the end, it'll be interesting to see how Worth gets on and Pasco looks a handful

1. Conway
2. Herman
3. Heffernan
4. Woolford
5. Ward
6. Uru
7. Sylvester
8. Tuilagi
9. Day
10. Price
11. Adamson/Worth (if Adamson banned)
12. Titherington
13. Le Bourgeois
14. Hutler
15. James

16. Jack
17. Fish
18. Tonga’uiha
19. Benson
20. Hoskings/Finch
21. Lennon
22. Maisey
23. Worth/Witheat

This is the squad I have gone for. Hoskings played well against Ampthill, but I think Finch would have the better physical presence against Ealing if starting, if on the bench then Hoskings who is more mobile is the way I would go. However I think Sylvester with the extra lineout option to stop the Ealing maul.

I could also see Uru start with Fred on the bench to be brought on after 30mins.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:28:10:09:36 by TryBlues.

I think the main selection dilemmas are in the back row. I’ve been really impressed by Finch. I think Sylvester adds better balance being at 6 and I like the idea of Tui coming on for the final 30 minutes. My concern about the squad is Royston looked off the pace during his 30 minutes today so I’m hoping we see a good amount of mini Tonga.

I’m also not sure if Deano is suspended for the first game because he was sent off in the final league of last season? He also wasn’t in the match day squad today, neither was Ward, so not sure if either are injured.

15. James
14. Hutler
13. Titherington
12. Booj
11. Adamson/Witheat
10. Maisey
9. Day
8. Tuilagi
7. Finch
6. Sylvester
5. Woolford
4. Ward
3. Heffernan
2. Herman
1. Conway

16. Fish
17. Jack
18. Tonga’uiha
19. Evans
20. Uru
21. Lennon
22. Price
23. Worth

I think you are right about Adamson being suspended, if that is the case I think we are more likely to play Worth on the wing for his defensive and aerial qualities, having said that Witheat made a great tackle on Martin against Saints.

Is Herman back after his Injury against Pirates

Herman always makes ground when he has the ball so I would definitely start him. The Bluesman23 selection looks about spot on in my opinion. Plenty of options which I think gives confidence for another god season.

Quote:

Finn Blue
Is Herman back after his Injury against Pirates

Yes he played today off the bench after 30 ish mins

Quote:

TryBlues
I think you are right about Adamson being suspended, if that is the case I think we are more likely to play Worth on the wing for his defensive and aerial qualities, having said that Witheat made a great tackle on Martin against Saints.

I would be surprised if we played Worth on the wing given he hasn’t played there during pre-season and I think he lacks the top end pace to play wing with our style of play. I think Hill is ahead of Witheat in the pecking order to replace Adamson based on pre-season usage. He’d been impressive but didn’t have the best game today. Witheat has X factor speed so I’d personally like to see him given the nod if we don’t have Deano.

Quote:

Bluesman23

Quote:

TryBlues
I think you are right about Adamson being suspended, if that is the case I think we are more likely to play Worth on the wing for his defensive and aerial qualities, having said that Witheat made a great tackle on Martin against Saints.

I would be surprised if we played Worth on the wing given he hasn’t played there during pre-season and I think he lacks the top end pace to play wing with our style of play. I think Hill is ahead of Witheat in the pecking order to replace Adamson based on pre-season usage. He’d been impressive but didn’t have the best game today. Witheat has X factor speed so I’d personally like to see him given the nod if we don’t have Deano.

I am just thinking Ealing come with a power team and their wingers generally aren't that quick (apart from Collins), they like to box kick and use their defence. I don't think Hill or Witheat are that great defensively, so I was thinking we may go with the 2nd full back approach.

I thought Witheat should have started today instead of Hutler, as we all know what he can do.

Pater could also be an outside chance.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:21:15:40:20 by TryBlues.

My starting XV for Ealing.
It would be good to know who we will have on loan from Saints as that would change a few things for me, I don’t even know if Tonga’uiha is confirmed?

15. James
14. Hutler
13. Titherington
12. Worth
11. Adamson
10. Price
9. Day
8. Tuilagi
7. Hoskins
6. Sylvester
5. Woolford
4. Ward
3. Heffernan
2. Herman
1. Conway

16. Fish
17. Jack
18. Tonga’uiha
19. Evans
20. Uru
21. Lennon
22. Maisey
23. Witheat

15. James
14. Hutler
13. Titherington
12. Booj
11. Martin
10. Maisey
9. Day
8. Tuilagi
7. Brown
6. Sylvester
5. Woolford
4. Ward/ Prowse
3. Heffernan
2. Herman
1. Conway

16. Fish
17. Jack
18. Tonga’uiha
19. Benson
20. Tui
21. Lennon
22. Price
23. Worth

Where did you get Prowse, Brown and Benson from CB?
Nowt from the club on the Saints players, unless I’ve missed something.
TryBlues any ideas?

Sorry I haven’t had time to chat and find out yet.

Quote:

Jonathan Wilcox
Where did you get Prowse, Brown and Benson from CB?
Nowt from the club on the Saints players, unless I’ve missed something.
TryBlues any ideas?

We haven’t “announced” saints DRs in several years. There are a pool of players we have access to as and when but it’s not like the agreement in the Covid years where there was a set group of named players. Based on pre-season you can expect Tonga’uiha and Pasco to feature heavily as they played for us in every pre season game (including against Saints) and none for Saints. Expect others to be on a adhoc basis driven by availability and injuries.