2026 Squad - Speculation Thread

[Transiting]

I think the squad is looking pretty solid. The homepage lists 40 players in the main squad for 2025, 23 Forwards & 17 Backs. I've used this as a guide for the 2026 squad. Listed below is everyone who's re-signed or not announced as leaving. Only missing 3 key signings: THP, Lock, & Center.

LHP: Robertson, Hoopert, Pearce
THP: HJH, Tauakipulu, Smith, ?
Hookers: BPA, Dolly, Alcock
Locks: Williams, Swain, Faifua, Thompson, ?
6/8: CDC, Harris, Princep, Ekuasi, Nofoagatotoa
7: Tizzano, Koteka, Watts
9: White, Robertson, IFL, Philipson
10: Donaldson, Harford, Burey
Centres: Stewart, Kuenzle, Palu, ?
Back 3: Grealy, Pietsch, Leahy, Poolman, Beale, Bridge
Forwards: 23 Backs: 17

[Kernow]

I think the squad is looking pretty solid. The homepage lists 40 players in the main squad for 2025, 23 Forwards & 17 Backs. I've used this as a guide for the 2026 squad. Listed below is everyone who's re-signed or not announced as leaving. Only missing 3 key signings: THP, Lock, & Center.

LHP: Robertson, Hoopert, Pearce
THP: HJH, Tauakipulu, Smith, ?
Hookers: BPA, Dolly, Alcock
Locks: Williams, Swain, Faifua, Thompson, ?
6/8: CDC, Harris, Princep, Ekuasi, Nofoagatotoa
7: Tizzano, Koteka, Watts
9: White, Robertson, IFL, Philipson
10: Donaldson, Harford, Burey
Centres: Stewart, Kuenzle, Palu, ?
Back 3: Grealy, Pietsch, Leahy, Poolman, Beale, Bridge
Forwards: 23 Backs: 17

What does the list look like if you take the players contracted for next season out?

[Tazzmania]

Tom Donnelly rumoured to be the next Wallaby line out coach, not good for us but great for him.

Hopefully it means Williams, Swain, Dolley and BPA have a better chance than before in being picked and playing under him.

[Transiting]

A left-field idea. How about taking on Pone FA'AMAUSILI as a development project. Not as a THP, but as a No.8. He'd need to lose 10kgs.

[Transiting]

Just saw this on All.Rugby. Josh Thompson to Grenoble (Fra).

[Tazzmania]

Not unexpected.

Nice person, great story, however moving forward he was just to small for lock and not quite right for a number six at Super level.

I hope he does well in France, hopefully Pro D2 is a good fit for him.

[Garry Owen]

A left-field idea. How about taking on Pone FA'AMAUSILI as a development project. Not as a THP, but as a No.8. He'd need to lose 10kgs.

I was hoping we would get him last year but he went to Moana and I don’t remember seeing him play all year?

[Transiting]

I was hoping we would get him last year but he went to Moana and I don’t remember seeing him play all year?

According to All.Rugby, he played one game off the bench this year, and has been released.

[Transiting]

What does the list look like if you take the players contracted for next season out?

OK, formatting didn't work. I don't know for HJH or Pietsch, but I would think they signed for 2 years, so should be ok for 2026. Alcock is Academy, and I don't know how the contracts work there.

LHP: Hoopert, Pearce
THP: HJH, Tauakipulu, ?
Hookers: Alcock
Locks: Faifua, ?, ?
6/8: Harris, Princep, Ekuasi, Nofoagatotoa
7: Koteka, Watts
9: IFL, Philipson
10: Harford,
Centres: Stewart, Kuenzle, ?
Back 3: Pietsch, Poolman, Beale, Bridge

[Kernow]

OK, formatting didn't work. I don't know for HJH or Pietsch, but I would think they signed for 2 years, so should be ok for 2026. Alcock is Academy, and I don't know how the contracts work there.

LHP: Hoopert, Pearce
THP: HJH, Tauakipulu, ?
Hookers: Alcock
Locks: Faifua, ?, ?
6/8: Harris, Princep, Ekuasi, Nofoagatotoa
7: Koteka, Watts
9: IFL, Philipson
10: Harford,
Centres: Stewart, Kuenzle, ?
Back 3: Pietsch, Poolman, Beale, Bridge

I wonder if they have to have all the players locked in for September for this Au comp?

[James]

Alex Masibaka now capped by Scotland (if he wasn't already). I assume it counts even though it was against the Maori All Blacks. Looks like he won't be coming back any time soon.

[tjs10]

Alex Masibaka now capped by Scotland (if he wasn't already). I assume it counts even though it was against the Maori All Blacks. Looks like he won't be coming back any time soon.

Yes and no.
It counts for international eligibility (ie he is now tied to Scotland) but he isn't officially "capped" as that was a non-cap tour match.

[Valz]

Hope the Force are looking at Lancaster to recruit. After being mostly ignored at the Tahs & comes out as one of the best performers from that shambles at the Tahs Lions game. Still feeling p***d off at Potter for ‘deserting’, so maybe Lancaster is a good option.

[Kernow]

Hope the Force are looking at Lancaster to recruit. After being mostly ignored at the Tahs & comes out as one of the best performers from that shambles at the Tahs Lions game. Still feeling p***d off at Potter for ‘deserting’, so maybe Lancaster is a good option.

I know Cronno has said Potts is off, but has there been an official statement/farewell to confirm he is off?

[Kernow]

Hope the Force are looking at Lancaster to recruit. After being mostly ignored at the Tahs & comes out as one of the best performers from that shambles at the Tahs Lions game. Still feeling p***d off at Potter for ‘deserting’, so maybe Lancaster is a good option.

He'd be a great addition to the Force