By Steve Kimberley
June 4 2022

WE have some players.

Well, yes, obviously we have some players. That's a given, but the way some people go on, with all the circumstances surrounding the club and the Dear Leaders at HQ, you'd think we were in imminent peril of collapsing out of existence without a team to call our own.

I guess the fact that the club announced all eleven contracted leavers in one big lump early this week didn't help that thought process for some. Well, I say eleven, but realistically it was seven (or six) as we all knew about Buzz, Fenner, Boults, Barton, and most had computed that Knocker was on his way too.

So, not so much of a huge shock then?

Yes, the tremendous combined experience lost by the exits of those will be very, very hard to replace, especially looking at the relative values of tightheads, stand-offs, and eights, but I remain confident that we won't be found too badly lacking in those departments when all the pieces are shaken out of the box. But let's see shall we?

The rest of the leavers have all been valued members of the squad too, and will all be missed by Blue 'n' White supporters, but isn't that the same virtually every year? They'll get over it, I'm sure.

So, to the aforementioned warriors, plus Luc Jeannot, Will Owen, Andy Forsyth, Nile Dacres, Tom Emery, and Rob Stevenson – all best wishes for wherever the future may take you, and many thanks for your services to our club.

And, yes, a mention for those loaners who stepped in when we needed shoring-up for whatever reasons, who have been withdrawn from the squad; Sam Aspland-Robinson, Dan Richardson, and Tom Stanton – the same thanks and wishes.

Happily, the follow ups to this 'bad' news missive have all been far more positive so far with several contract renewals (or retentions) being announced, and a few new heads being revealed.

One of the most eagerly anticipated thus far has been the confirmation of the open secret of Jordon Poole's signing from Exeter Chiefs. Jordon has been a rock at the very heart of the pack this last few months, and his 'permanent' arrival is a real fillip.

Thus far, the announcements seem to be following a forwards-first formula (nothing wrong with that!) and front row captures were the initial order of the day with the arrival of props Harry Seward (TH) from Ealing, and Ollie Andrews (both sides) from Cardiff Met, and hooker Will Biggs arriving from Bedford.

Together with the retentions of locks James Tyas and Rhys Thomas, both of whom impressed in their relatively limited runs last season, the pack rebuild is definitely under way.

Nick will follow up with a comprehensive listing of exactly where we are, player-wise, in the not too distant future.

Getting back to the day-to-day grind of Championship Life, it seems I was a little hasty in taking the word of the RFU seriously when they informed us that the would be no promotion from the Championship this coming season (2022/2023). In a volte face reminiscent of an MP finding a brown paper envelope, the Daily Telegraph has revealed (well, to those who subscribe to it) that there actually will be an uplift into the Promised Land cartel for the side that buys, sorry, wins the league this time.

One assumes that Ealing's owner was privy to this all along, having conceded his club's rightful berth in the top tier for some unspecified, or at least spurious, reason at the time? It sort of explains the largesse so far this close-season with regard to quality players heading towards West London.

Fair play to him. You can't take it with you...

I just wonder if Doncaster are able to up their game accordingly? Time will tell.

The Update (4/6/22)

Discussion started by Unofficial Coventry Rugby (IP Logged), 04/06/2022 17:58

Unofficial Coventry Rugby
04/06/2022 17:58

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:06:17:23:17:50 by Kimbo.

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Colin61
05/06/2022 12:49

Yes i think we all are probably a bit surprised but delighted with the quality of players signed up for this season. I guess a number 10 a number 8 and a experienced centre would be on most people's wish list. But if the funds will still allow this to happen remains to be seen.And also as stated before i guess it's hard to find the right players at the right price. I would still like to think the fantastic effort by the team in the cup final would help sway some players to join us. Remaining optimistic cheers Colin.

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