In our Draft, teams can select any player from a rival team, but we look at needs and how position, not just status, will dictate their ‘imagined’ selections. There might even be a trade or two for teams to move up for a higher pick. # Pick No 1 – Isuzu Southern Kings Needs: The Kings need a serious lift from a transformational player and someone who can allow them play to their strengths. Their attacking and defensive games are not as poor as some may imagine, but there is no doubt with runners like Yaw Penxe on their books they need someone who can tie in defences and create space for everyone else. Repatriating some of the Guinness PRO14’s stellar South Africans looks like a sure-fire move, but head coach Robbi Kempson is a shrewd man and a former front rower. Scrum penalties have derailed the Kings in their previous campaigns and Kempson knows that security in the set-piece can provide a more stable platform for a team that is stocked with speedy athletes all over the pitch. Despite considering destructive back rowers like Scarlets’ Uzair Cassiem and Ulster’s Marcell Coetzee, the Kings opt to stock up with a bonafide British & Irish Lion in the front row. **The Kings select: Tadhg Furlong from Leinster** # Pick No 2 – Ospreys Needs: Before the season suspension there were some signs from Ospreylia that Mike Ruddock’s arrival at the region was beginning to turn things around. With Gareth Anscombe due to return from injury next season, the Os look will certainly improve their attacking game which is ranked as the worst in the Guinness PRO14. Ospreys are not short of attacking players with cutting edge with George North, Dan Evans and Luke Morgan operating out of the back three. In midfield, Cory Allen and Scott Williams are Welsh internationals but they need a spark to bring this all together. Although Coetzee and his destructive carrying game wasn’t enough for the Kings to pull the trigger and Ospreys allowing him to remain in Belfast for the time-being, instead they opt for a player with more upside – a move that allows them to damage their closest rivals. **Ospreys select: Uzair Cassiem from Scarlets** # Pick No 3 – Zebre Rugby Club Needs: No single player is going to transform Zebre, but the right personality could start pointing the Italian team on an upward curve. Discipline has dogged the side this season and with lots of young talent being given an opportunity by coach Michael Bradley, an experienced Test player in a key position could help accelerate their progress. Bradley has been around the Championship for a long, long time having coached both Connacht and Edinburgh and he knows the importance of a leader who can set the culture and deliver on the pitch. A Corkman and former Munster player, Bradley looks back to his homeland to pluck a key back-row leader from his home province – a man who sets the tone on the pitch and in the dressing room. **Zebre select: CJ Stander from Munster** # Pick No 4 – Dragons Needs: It is hard to gauge exactly where Dragons are on their journey under Dean Ryan, but the early signs are positive. Despite the ranking that has earned them the fourth pick of the draft, the defence has looked stronger that in previous years but they do need to find a replacement for Cory Hill in the second row while the reported addition of Jonah Holmes provides another blade for the backline. But the presence of Holmes does not rule out the possibility of adding another attacking player to link-up with the resurgent Sam Davies at out-half. # ***TRADE ALERT*** Some shrewd dealership by Ryan sees the Dragons swap picks with rivals Cardiff Blues who want to jump up in the queue ahead of Benetton who they believe will take their prime candidate. To make it happen, however, Blues coach John Mulvihill has had to send lock Seb Davies and live wire back three player Matthew Morgan to Rodney Parade. On paper, the Captial Region are well stocked in the backline but they want a difference maker in the tight-five. Mulvihill will double down on the recruitment of Hill and pair him with a man tipped to be a serious force for the British & Irish Lions in South Africa. **Cardiff Blues select: James Ryan from Leinster** # Pick No 5 – Benetton Rugby Needs: Narrow losses have become a too regular occurrence for the Treviso-based side just six months after their breakthrough season that saw them reach the Guinness PRO14 Final Series for the first time. A heavyweight addition to the pack was top of the list here and although Benetton have been gazumped by Cardiff Blues for the services of James Ryan, there are other second rows with plenty of appeal still available. Alun Wyn Jones, Devin Toner, Iain Henderson, Jake Ball and Jean Kleyn all top the list, but few can boast the youth that Ryan offered. With some proven ball carriers in the pack, coach Kieran Crowley switches his attentions to midfield and for the second pick in a row the defending champions find one of their crown jewels heading for the exit door. Again, another player with British & Irish Lions pedigree has proven too hard to resist. **Benetton Rugby select: Robbie Henshaw from Leinster** # Pick No 6 – Dragons (traded with Cardiff Blues) Needs: Having recruited sharply across both units via the trade with Cardiff Blues, Dean Ryan has the luxury of opting for a difference maker. One of the Guinness PRO14’s most effective players for the past two seasons is available and he will make an instant impact at Rodney Parade with his arsenal of attacking and physical gifts. Tries, linebreaks and big moments will be assured. **Dragons select: Duhan van der Merwe from Edinburgh** # Pick No 7 – Toyota Cheetahs Needs: Big news in Bloemfontein lately comes in the form of the recruitment of Frans Steyn to pair with Ruan Pienaar as a half-back pairing that boasts 150 Springbok Test caps. However, resigning some key current players such as back row Junior Pokomela is another step in ensuring consistency in the set-up under new coach Hawies Fourie. The spine of the team needs some difference makers who had done it at the highest level. Second row, back row and midfield are all areas that could use a finishing touch for the men from the Free State, but to play in orange you’ve got to be able keep pace with the Cheetahs! The Cheetahs are known for their devasting attacking play and lightness of foot and here they add a different type of weapon to their offensive options. A centre who owns the trademark for explosive play and should enjoy the hard surfaces of Bloemfontein. **The Toyota Cheetahs select: Bundee Aki from Connacht**
