So we might see him in December then... at least he'll be well up to speed with the plays & gelled with the team...

Vasiteri got a 9 week suspension.

Any time he pulled on the jersey he was more than adequate. Does anybody watch him for club games to see how he plays?

sligsup wrote: Is Connolly not rated because I have never being less then impressed when I've watched him or why in people's opinion does he not see more game time?
Or what is preventing him from gaining more game time, think he's a class act and would definitely walk into some English sides

He looked good in 15/16 but if he was rated he wouldn’t have been left to play in the third tier of the AIL while the likes of Dawai covered 7 last year.

Is Connolly not rated because I have never being less then impressed when I've watched him or why in people's opinion does he not see more game time?
Or what is preventing him from gaining more game time, think he's a class act and would definitely walk into some English sides

Butler will almost certainly be due a break at some stage coming straight from Super rugby. Probably during the first European round if I had to guess.

Either way I'd prefer to see Dillane stay in the row where I think it's a lot more likely his future is. Connolly can play blind or openside, we have plenty of very good options (and maybe even more coming with the likes of Harley Fox and Sean Masterson) in the back row without shifting players out of the row (where we probably need players more) to add to the backlog.

I was away for last weeks game but going in what I read here and elsewhere surely McKeon earned another start in his preferred position? Maybe Muldoon would be better as a wily hard working blindside at this stage of his career?

Looks like Connolly isn’t gonna feature much this year either.

FFS completey forgot about Masterson (wasn't great against Scarlets though)
And I'd like to see Connolly as 7 when Butler needs a rest...

I think we're far more likely to see 6. McKeon 7. Butler 8. Muldoon with Masterson on the bench. Maybe we'll see a return of Mul to his older role at blindside, always thought it was a bit unusual that McKeon and Masterson were being moved there to accommodate him when both came through as specialist 8s.

By the look of it Dawai might not be ready yet, will return to training not "has returned" like Cannon.

The most sensible option might be a mix : Butler/Mulddon/McKeon BUT Dillane 20 covering n°6 (McKeon would move to openside in the worst case Butler has to go injured).
Roux/Cannon/Thornbury for 2nd row

Thoughts?

Ha ha I meant to type Mul but now that you mention it I think my mother armed with the dreaded wooden spoon would be a match for any backrow lol.

FACECUTTR wrote: Saracens moved Itoje to 6 recently enough. It could be a good move but we do have a fairly stacked backrow. I think maybe McKeon 6 Butler 7 and Mum at 8 with Dawai at 20.

Specifically whose mum are we talking here? I know a few mammies that would be tough enough for the back row mind.

Saracens moved Itoje to 6 recently enough. It could be a good move but we do have a fairly stacked backrow. I think maybe McKeon 6 Butler 7 and Mul at 8 with Dawai at 20.

Worrying for Heenan who finallly was back to the level he has had 2 y ago.

I wonder if we could try Dillane 6 McKeon 8 Butler 7. Now Cannon is back to 2nd row.
Looks interesting...

Must be the healthiest injury report I've ever seen

Lock:
Andrew Browne is rehabilitating from an achilles tendon injury and will be out of action for a number of weeks.

James Cannon has returned to training with the squad this week following his thigh injury.

Back Row:
Naulia Dawai will return to training with the squad this week following his hamstring injury.

Jake Heenan injured his knee in the game versus Scarlets and will see a specialist this week to determine the extent of the injury.

Sean O’Brien is recovering following shoulder surgery and will be out of action until early 2018.

Scrum-half:
James Mitchell has progressed well with his shoulder injury and will integrate into training with the squad this week.

Centre:
Peter Robb is rehabilitating from recent hip surgery and will be out of action until December.

Back Three:
Niyi Adeolokun has integrated into training with the squad this week following his knee surgery in the off-season.

Matt Healy has returned to training with the squad this week following his groin injury.

Could be after Christmas before we see him if he is found guilty.
At least he will be here sooner to learn the play's.