Stander is a great ball carrier and runner in offence. Goes missing too often ATM in defence which will be required on Saturday IMO.
IMO, subject to keeping everyone they have and want, Connacht need a 2nd row, back row, and utility style back who can cover 10, 12 and 13.
My picks, given budget, club profile and European uncertainty would be Brian Hayes at aurillac, paddy butler at Munster and Andrew Goodman at Leinster.

Francois Brummer at Griquas. Regular 10 for them and only 24. 3 yr contract Iq at 27

In regards to Stander apparently his stats aren't great. He apparently drifts in and out of games. I have no idea if that is true or not but that's the reason why he's being dropped a lot. He's still quite young and learning his trade so hopefully consistency will come with time. I'd still take him if he was interested in coming here. Imagine having him a former U20 South African Captain and Heenan a U20 New Zealand Captain in the same backrow! :woohoo:

salmson wrote: If Worcester get relegated, what about Ignacio mieres?

Flaky. I was surprised at the time that Exeter let him go but they knew what they were doing. Also, if he hits any vein of form he'll miss a good bit of the season with Argentina in the Rugby Championship

If Worcester get relegated, what about Ignacio mieres?

iHumph's defence is horrible still. I don't think he'd appreciate the prevailing weather conditions here. Also he goes form hero to zero to often

Would prefer a bit more stability.

Gareth Steenson in a perfect world, but not a chance he would move from Exeter

Hodgson would still be top of the pile for me, haven't really thought about southern hemisphere or looking at French clubs yet.

If that was in reply to St. Kitson's Letter to the BTSportians, then yeah, that was me. Thanks!

Salmson, you're right - my mistake.

BTW, I saw your post on the Guardian (at least I think it was you) - really good points you made, nice work.

Hodgson is an interesting idea, at 33/34 at end of the season has another year in him at least. On the other hand Ronaldson will be 24 at the start of next season and a year's pro experience under his belt, surely he should become first choice at that stage assuming he continues to progress? Carty will be 22, both good young players looking to establish themselves. Would signing another ex-international hinder their development through lack of starts?

Pretty sure Humphries is only halfway through a 3 year contract.

of all the above mentioned I'd def try for iHumph

Ummm - got in last night and was in bed by 3am, wee bit on the tired side this morning, I must confess, and somewhat poorer for the travails, but hell, it was all worth it. Be seeing you in London in January?

Porter - not a bad shout; Ian Humphreys only signed a one year deal at Irish so may be an option, and who knows, perhaps Flood or Myler might want a spin out West....

Failing that, I'm sure Andy Goode, with his gloves, dynamic hairstyle and, erm, slimline look would soon gain cult status at the Sportsground

Droptheclaw wrote: Ha Porter - opposing views there! I'd still give him a twist; he's 23 and no doubt will improve his gate-like defence

Without doubt would have taken him on last year's display. Kicking percentage was outstanding.

But this year he has gone severely downhill

How I wish Gopperth was only on a year deal and hadn't established himself as much, could have got him perhaps like we did with Nathan White.

A bit of a left field one here but depending on his situation with Sarries, what about Charlie Hodgson? In the same way as Parks, could give us 2 good seasons and pave the way for Ronadlson/O Hagan/Carty to come though. He is an excellent attacking player, the best passing 10 in the Permiership which would bring the best out of our backline. Good goalkicker and kicking game. Really ticks all the boxes for me. Defensively has improved also. Knows he will only be no2 to Owen Farrell, maybe he fancies one more challenge before signing off?

Thoughts?

You home yet?

Ha Porter - opposing views there! I'd still give him a twist; he's 23 and no doubt will improve his gate-like defence

Yeah, Botica is a pretty handy 10, he can mix his game up nicely and is developing well under Nick Evans at Quins. I'd take him most happily, although he may want to stay in England as there has been talk of him having a crack at the England 10 spot, given the fact that Farrell has been less than 2 dimensional for them