Question is, will we have a stronger squad for next year

Just as a reminder this is who left this season:

John Andrew (137)   –

Angus Bell (15)

Matthew Dalton (23)

James Humphreys (8)

Werner Kok (33)

Ben Moxham (41)

Rory McGuire (1)

Bryan O’Connor (5)

Marcus Rea (59)

Sean Reffell (16)

David Shanahan (104)

So 11 out and so far 4 confirmed new signing for next year

John Andrew – with the rise of James McCormick this year as 3rd choice, dropping John to 4th  so it was him vs Henry Walker (Academy) for the contract and unsurprisingly Richie has gone with youth ( and probably cheaper) – don’t think this weakens the squad too much

Matthew Dalton – probably the biggest surprise he was let go, but with Eli Snyman signing, should be an upgrade ( still a bit harsh)

James Humphreys –  Hump was a rarely used 3rd choice, Jamie Benson should be challenging Jack for 1st choice ( that what the Harlequins supporters are saying) so deffo an upgrade.

David Shanahan – I always liked Dave, but with Matt Devine coming in to with the aim to challenge Doak for 1st choice Dave would have dropped to 4 choice with Logan in the 3rd year of the academy also there.  This should be an improvement

Marcus Rea & Sean Reffell –  Sean decent player that’s nearly always injured and marcus only played 160mins this season ( 5 games), Marcus never kicked on after showing some promised in his early years) , Ben Donnell seems to have potential ( according to cardif supporters), and he can also play at lock so maybe an improvement?  We also will have James Mcnabney back next year so over all backrow should be stronger

Angus Bell-  no replacement for him yet, but ToT might switch to we are talking either LH or TH replacement,  but I doubt we will get someone at his quality but maybe a decent player for the whole season ( just just from xmas) would be an improvement I would argue, but as things currently stand we are worse off.

Rory McGuire  & Bryan O’Connor – they barely played and didn’t impress when they did so didn’t lose much,  Tom McAllister  should improve next season and  Jacob Boyd I’m assuming is now on a senior contract so I guess they think hes better, so over all not much lost here.

Werner Kok & Ben Moxham – If the signing of Chay Mullins is true then thats would be a bit of a like for like with Moxham,  but we would still be Kokless, but in fairness we do have decent depth in the back line and we will see more of Aitzol Arenzana-King next year – so a downgrade but not a disaster.

Overall – the 4 new signings all seem to be an upgrade to what we had,it just depends in the academy/ recently graduated ( and chay mullins players kick on)  and if we can sign a decent prop.  But over all the squad is smaller so we could be only a few injuries away from disaster, maybe the plan is use the Academy more next year?