Best Starting XV 2023/24

[CIMANFOREVER]

For the debateable positions:
Tight Head has to be Moore, superior scrummager to TOT
2nd row, Sheridan as Treadwell simply isn't good enough. I could argue he was the worse 2nd row when we played Munster
Scrum half Cooney, brings class and quick ball
FB Moore on the assumption Addison will never be fit for any length of time.
Out half is an interesting one, I don't think we are ever going to progress too far with Burns being first choice. I think Lowry is too small so lets see how Flannery gets on.

Agree with much of that. Moore is the nailed on first choice TH. TOT just isn't convincing at scrum time but will improve over time. Sheridan continues to impress, Treadwell's form is so patchy. He was pushing an Irish selection at times last year but throws up too many soft displays. Cooney remains number one, imo.

I really like the look of Flannery. Hopefully Dan continues to see that he needs game time. He could really push Burns which is a major positive. Lowry I think will be used as a sub more. He has the ability to make things happen in ways that others can't. We have some interesting options in the back field. Moore is quite versatile but he scares me with the low trajectory of his clearing kicks.

In summary, we are brill.

Are we close to World Domination yet?

[Dave]

For the debateable positions:
Tight Head has to be Moore, superior scrummager to TOT
2nd row, Sheridan as Treadwell simply isn't good enough. I could argue he was the worse 2nd row when we played Munster
Scrum half Cooney, brings class and quick ball
FB Moore on the assumption Addison will never be fit for any length of time.
Out half is an interesting one, I don't think we are ever going to progress too far with Burns being first choice. I think Lowry is too small so lets see how Flannery gets on.

Agree with much of that. Moore is the nailed on first choice TH. TOT just isn't convincing at scrum time but will improve over time. Sheridan continues to impress, Treadwell's form is so patchy. He was pushing an Irish selection at times last year but throws up too many soft displays. Cooney remains number one, imo.

I really like the look of Flannery. Hopefully Dan continues to see that he needs game time. He could really push Burns which is a major positive. Lowry I think will be used as a sub more. He has the ability to make things happen in ways that others can't. We have some interesting options in the back field. Moore is quite versatile but he scares me with the low trajectory of his clearing kicks.

In summary, we are brill.

Are we close to World Domination yet?

Not far off. Just need a good injury run. As if...

[Dharper]

Moore at 15 for me.
Lowry for a former 10 really doesn’t strike me as a playmaker at 15, especially with all the additional time you have at 15. He’s a quality breaker/half break, but his passing I think is pretty poor, and almost an after thought to a support player.

Moore is a gifted footballer. Vision, and lovely hands. His kicking is occasionally ropey, but frankly again, lowrys is no better. I was a massive Addison fan, I’m not putting him in the debate other than to say he needs probably a season to see where he is now at.

I’d personally start MM if his conditioning was back up to it. Herring to bulk scrum.
AW to solidify scrum from bench after Kitschoff goes off.
Sheridan I really like. He’d come into conversation as BR bench with Rea. Think you need the 3 regulars in the row at the moment. Ewers timoney McCann at 7. I’m thinking euro games here. Cooney at 9, burns at moment, Stu and Hume, Balacoune JS Moore.

Kitschoff herring Moore
IH KT
Ewers timoney McCann
Cooney burns
Stu Hume
JS Moore Balacoune.

Warwick Stewart tot
O’Connor (fresh dog from bench for the dirty work - dont think treadwell supplies this frankly)
Sheridan
Doak Flannery Marshall ( I’d rather push Hume out 1, than move Moore from 15 against a good French side especially if we are defensively under the cosh).

[jean valjean]

Moore at 15 for me.
Lowry for a former 10 really doesn’t strike me as a playmaker at 15, especially with all the additional time you have at 15. He’s a quality breaker/half break, but his passing I think is pretty poor, and almost an after thought to a support player.

Moore is a gifted footballer. Vision, and lovely hands. His kicking is occasionally ropey, but frankly again, lowrys is no better. I was a massive Addison fan, I’m not putting him in the debate other than to say he needs probably a season to see where he is now at.

I’d personally start MM if his conditioning was back up to it. Herring to bulk scrum.
AW to solidify scrum from bench after Kitschoff goes off.
Sheridan I really like. He’d come into conversation as BR bench with Rea. Think you need the 3 regulars in the row at the moment. Ewers timoney McCann at 7. I’m thinking euro games here. Cooney at 9, burns at moment, Stu and Hume, Balacoune JS Moore.

Kitschoff herring Moore
IH KT
Ewers timoney McCann
Cooney burns
Stu Hume
JS Moore Balacoune.

Warwick Stewart tot
O’Connor (fresh dog from bench for the dirty work - dont think treadwell supplies this frankly)
Sheridan
Doak Flannery Marshall ( I’d rather push Hume out 1, than move Moore from 15 against a good French side especially if we are defensively under the cosh).

Agre with this except I'd have Addison on the bench over Marshall. Moore can cover both centre positions better than anyone. It does leaves the wing slot a bit vulnerable which is why mcilroy will come back into the picture as he is the only genuine cover for all back 3 positions. Given how little involvement our wings are having, their chances of getting injured are probably the least of any position at the minute.

[Dharper]

Moore at 15 for me.
Lowry for a former 10 really doesn’t strike me as a playmaker at 15, especially with all the additional time you have at 15. He’s a quality breaker/half break, but his passing I think is pretty poor, and almost an after thought to a support player.

Moore is a gifted footballer. Vision, and lovely hands. His kicking is occasionally ropey, but frankly again, lowrys is no better. I was a massive Addison fan, I’m not putting him in the debate other than to say he needs probably a season to see where he is now at.

I’d personally start MM if his conditioning was back up to it. Herring to bulk scrum.
AW to solidify scrum from bench after Kitschoff goes off.
Sheridan I really like. He’d come into conversation as BR bench with Rea. Think you need the 3 regulars in the row at the moment. Ewers timoney McCann at 7. I’m thinking euro games here. Cooney at 9, burns at moment, Stu and Hume, Balacoune JS Moore.

Kitschoff herring Moore
IH KT
Ewers timoney McCann
Cooney burns
Stu Hume
JS Moore Balacoune.

Warwick Stewart tot
O’Connor (fresh dog from bench for the dirty work - dont think treadwell supplies this frankly)
Sheridan
Doak Flannery Marshall ( I’d rather push Hume out 1, than move Moore from 15 against a good French side especially if we are defensively under the cosh).

Agre with this except I'd have Addison on the bench over Marshall. Moore can cover both centre positions better than anyone. It does leaves the wing slot a bit vulnerable which is why mcilroy will come back into the picture as he is the only genuine cover for all back 3 positions. Given how little involvement our wings are having, their chances of getting injured are probably the least of any position at the minute.

Certainly your thoughts around Moore Addison and McIlroy makes perfect sense and leads to a far better “balance” than my Marshall on the bench.

I decided really on the basis of get your best players on the pitch against a top team with the inevitable pressure coming on us with 20 to go to see the game out….not an unfamiliar situation.

I like Moore he reminds me of Olding, a quality footballer. I hope we don’t fall into the trap of “versatility”, and not getting the best out of him, get him time and space on the pitch. For me he is our best 15 (and it is a specialist role).
Addison needs serious game time, and looks way off currently, I hope he’s still got the physical ability to get to his previous level. Marshall is short of gametime, but gets up to speed quickly, great experience and I’d trust him to defend for his life.
Hopefully postlewaite keeps getting league gametime.

If addison was to get back, you’d imagine Dan may see Moore as the 23. Can’t help but feel McIlroy will be a tidy back 3 player but never a big player for UR.

[Deraless]

Anyone still feel the starting TH position is still up for debate after tonight?

[Jackie Brown]

I'm dreaming of a team of Matty Reas.

[justinr73]

Anyone still feel the starting TH position is still up for debate after tonight?

Bonus point to anyone who can remember who SK scrummaged against the last time he played at Ravenhill.

It’s probably worth more than a bonus point tbh.

[CIMANFOREVER]

Anyone still feel the starting TH position is still up for debate after tonight?

Bonus point to anyone who can remember who SK scrummaged against the last time he played at Ravenhill.

It’s probably worth more than a bonus point tbh.

Nigel Brady

[justinr73]

Nope.

Iirc, having looked it up the other day, it was the fella’s first start and he never wore the shirt again.

[shamalicious]

Jonny Simpson

[justinr73]

We have a winner

[CIMANFOREVER]

Anyone still feel the starting TH position is still up for debate after tonight?

I did tell y'all

[Dave]

Anyone still feel the starting TH position is still up for debate after tonight?

I did tell y'all

Wilson could be benching too.

[CIMANFOREVER]

Anyone still feel the starting TH position is still up for debate after tonight?

I did tell y'all

Wilson could be benching too.

Would like to see Wilson get a gradual blooding on rotation against selected teams either start or bench, and get his conditioning up. Too soon for him to be the next Furlong.