You are missing the point - can we beat a big pack, yes of course we can but we are making it harder for ourselves and give big sides a very easy path to follow to beat us - do you think ROG hadn't had the Sarries games on repeat recently...............and we need to be really accurate and perfect in all other areas. Can we do this yes, it is tougher yes.....wixfjord wrote: ↑May 3rd, 2021, 7:12 pmThe Toulouse pack we took apart two years ago was:neiliog93 wrote: ↑May 3rd, 2021, 6:36 pmToulouse now are superior to the team we beat 2-3 years ago. La Rochelle were still on the rise last year too. We beat Saracens in 2018 because Billy Vunipola and others were injured, and they were having a terrible year, along with the England national team. We've been utterly strangled twice by Saracens and now by La Rochelle. Bringing in more power isn't a guaranteed solution but it would definitely help.wixfjord wrote: ↑May 3rd, 2021, 4:59 pm
I do think it's pretty knee jerk to say we need to sign a journeyman ProD2 player or a guy who is playing club rugby in Oz as a solution, just because they're big.
Again, how did Exeter manage to win it last year without that player? We were more than powerful enough to beat them.
How did we beat Sarries three years ago and Toulouse two years ago twice with such an 'underpowered' pack?
As I've said multiple times now, I think 'we need more power' is a very simplistic way to look at that game yesterday.
'We need a proper test level 9'
or
'We need our new leadership group (Ringrose, Ryan) to step up and do it on the big stage'
would be areas i would look to first.
By the way, I would much prefer to sign a de Jager than any of the more journeyman types, but in case people came in with the usual nay-saying about money, I was showing that there are cheaper options too, that would be reasonably effective.
1. Clément Castets
2. Peato Mauvaka
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. Richie Arnold
5. Richie Gray
6. Rynhardt Elstadt
7. Joe Tekori
8. Jerome Kaino (captain)
That's arguably more powerful than what they started at the weekend.
Saracens starting 5 against us in 2019 was Mako, George, Figallo, Itoje, Kruis.
You've ignored Exeter, who muscled their way to the cup last year and who we outmuscled just a few weeks ago.
Like I'd be happy to bring in a big NIQ signing, but it's unlikely, and I think doing so would be knee jerk.
But I'd certainly not be in favour of bringing in guys with little pedigree just because they weigh a lot!
Bringing in one or two lumps ain't going to automatically win us games v the top teams but the type of physical over powering that we had v LAR or Sarries etc is less likely to happen and buys us room.
Don't think we will bring in a lump for several reasons (Mainly because 2nd row is where it makes most sense and the Munster IRFU won't allow it bearing in mind the nonsese down in Shelbyville)...........doesn't mean it isn't a good idea.