Yes but we had a lot of problems (shipped about 10 players out), You have a good coach in Brown, he certainly got your guys firing last season and I am sure he will do that again this seson...you may have a slower start due to situations, but a few other teams had a slow start last season but went well at the business end of the season.

we also have a rather wildly publicised problem!

Yes I know

and it may well have a detrimental affect on the start of your campaign, however the team is run by a very inspirational coach and you have plenty of skill in the squad, I just don't think you should measure your season on your first 3 games, the players will want to just go out and do their jobs.

In a way things seem worse than they are. We're talking about rugby players here and there will have been countless incidents throughout all the clubs over a protracted period of time. This may be a bit more serious than the others but it could equally have a galvanising effect on them. A siege mentality perhaps. Who knows.

Withouth wanting to do these lads down too much we're talking about rugby players here and the stereotypical attitudes that go with it, and depending on what's gone on then they may not be too concerned at all. I don't want to fall into the trap of doom and gloom too soon on this one. It's too easy to get all doom and gloom and it solves nothing, it only makes things harder and what's the point when it might not be warranted.

Exactly, we will see what effect if any the situation has on the squad after the 1st few games.

I think, even with everything that has gone on so far this season, we can push on from last year and give the so called big boys a real run for their money.