2017 Player Contracts

[Sheikh]

So we might have some decent depth at lock; something we haven't had since ... well since before Sharpe hung up his boots.

Coleman, Arnold, Phillips, Matwijow, RHP (if required - he wants to be a 6). All 22-26, 197cm or above, and ~120 kg (RHP's a bit lighter).

With a strong back row, and decent options at 9 & 10 (Prior/Louwrens/Ruru & Lance/Grant/Prior), centre (Meakes/Tapuai/Coleman/Burton), wing (Morahan/Rona/Brache/Masirewa) and FB (DHP/Morahan).

As Kalahard says, we need the hookers to be confirmed (Rangi is confirmed, Tessman & Scoble not, I think - any idea what's happened to Sexton?) The props also concern me a little. I thought Daley plays the same side as Pek, and is only a couple of years younger, so I'd hardly call him an upgrade. Faulkner's signed back-up is Ainsley. That's not a front row which will scare anyone in Super Rugby.

Still, I suppose if there's only one area of concern in a team, that's better than most recent years!

[Alison]

Tessman tweeted something 'cryptic' the other day that suggested he was staying here.

[The InnFORCEr]

Tessman tweeted something 'cryptic' the other day that suggested he was staying here.

He sure is, it's just not official yet

[travelling_gerry]

http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/bath-...ail/story.html

[The InnFORCEr]

WTF

[Buddha Handy]

WTF

Not good. Here we were happy we got Robbie Coleman as a utility player off the bench but makes more sense now that he was coming over here to take the #12 jersey.

Another option could be Prior @ 10 and Lance @ 12. Or Grant 10, Lance 12. Hopefully Con Foley makes the step up quickly to become an option.

We still have a few options but another signing would really help now.

[Tazzmania]

http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/bath-...ail/story.html

Western Force have now confirmed on twitter and on web page

https://www.westernforce.com.au/arti...ase-ben-tapuai

[ranga]

A bit fat and slow for mine anyway

[SNOB]

Cr@p he was just starting to come good again.

[choice]

I wouldn't be depending on Lance too much. Seems a bit fragile on the injury side for me. Coleman at 10 and now shed loads of locks coming into the fold.
Best recruiting I have seen from the Force since inception.

[G_Beard]

Well fuck. I was loving Taps.
As with every player that has played for the Force, I wish him an outstanding stay at his new club. But he was brilliant during the NRC, and enjoy the way he plays.

[westies man]

http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/bath-...ail/story.html

If Toddy can't find him I think he's still down at the very unusually named The Red Lion pub with my mate. Personally I thought he always looked very unfit and never had the leg speed or nous to create anything for his outsides. Ran very lateral lines, would get chopped to bits by Meakes,no great loss.

[blue]

He would have struggled for game time even on the bench next year. Too many better options ahead of him now.

[G_Beard]

Who at 12?

[todd4]

Related article said that Wessels is happy that it frees up money under the salary cap. Read that to mean they will be looking to replace him.