By Wordsmith Entry C
January 23 2007

My Best 22 for this season

 

This is the team that I would be selecting this season, assuming that all players were fit and available.

 

Tom Smith - cornerstone of the pack, and often found at scrum half at rucks - a player of continuous travail.

 

Steve Thompson - even with his somewhat piebald form, a man who can certainly make a difference.

 

Pat Barnard - a superb prospect for the future, his machinations in the scrum will be key if he can stay fit.

 

Damien Browne - the Irish man mountain, certainly not a man to pule about his lack of games this season.

 

David Gerard - possibly our best second row this season, he has effaced the performances from last time around.

 

Paul Tupai - a typically robustious blindside, always involved (sometimes legally) and a key forward.

 

Darren Fox - the stereotype of his position is inhered in him, and it seems his temper has been more under control.

 

Mark Easter - good in the loose, a solid lineout jumper, but not as attractive to the flibbertigibbets as Daniel Browne.

 

Mark Robinson - his lascivious reputation aside, "the ninth forward" always tackles above his weight.

 

Carlos Spencer - seen by many as an insouciant show pony, but the best playmaker I've ever seen.

 

Ben Cohen - has developed a prescient relationship with Spencer, a real case of "local boy done good".

 

David Quinlan - the last player to be ever present this season, can be relied on to stanch the defensive frailties.

 

Jon Clarke - many may claim it is supposititious to include a player after only one game, but he's pure class.

 

Sean Lamont - a winger with style and pace, showed his virtu in his four tries against Saracens last season.

 

Bruce Reihana - he has had a bootless input to the playing side since his injury at Gloucester, but still our best full back.

 

Chris Budgen - a rock hard scrummager, looks and plays like a turgid version of Tom Smith.

 

Dylan Hartley - can play at loosehead or hooker - improving with every game, a real nascent talent.

 

Matt Lord - signed four years ago as a fill in player, it's a great sight to see him gambol around the pitch.

 

Sam Harding - even with his apocryphal part in team selection, the former All Black flanker can be vital in open play.

 

Johnny Howard - with his versatility at scrum half or wing, he is a vade mecum for the team.

 

Paul Diggin - a match winner at wing or full back, still fighting despite the perfidy from the club's selection policy.

 

Stephen Myler - an Argus-eyed fly half in the Carlos Spencer mould, has also played at outside centre.