I would have the 04/5 Mathers but not the 06 version. By 06 he had become lazy in his positioning. Often not keeping up with play resulting in him running across field and giving away penalties for high tackles. Compare with Connoley who kept up with the game constantly move back and forth across the pitch and if breaks were made was nearly always lined up to take the tackle.

Leave Mathers well in the past!!!

Regards Webb, I'd just like him to make a tackle as opposed to backing off 'letting his players get back'. It could be an idea sticking him in the halves depending on injuries, but I would like to see Ward get a start.
As for Smith, I'm just not sure he will ever become the player we all hoped he would regardless of confidence. Perhaps a chance ot redeem himself could be good, but then again it could be our undoing!

At fullback its not as simple as just making the tackle. 1 on 1 with so much space it is quite easy to beat a man. Its sometimes better to back peddle a bit, make the attacker make the decision, which allows your defence time to get back, and can force him to do something stupid.

Yeah I've heard that argument before and I recognise that their are times for that, but the amount of times and situations Webb chooses this option suggest to me he would just rather not make the tackle. Back pedalling does not really pressure a player into making a decision it just gives him time to make a more informed decision. I'd be more inclined to go with hit him as hard as you can as soon as the option presents itself. Worked really well for JPR Williams, who i regard as the best defensive full back in the history of either code.

Well its not that simple though. Firstly, going into hit him as hard as you can is more likely to result in you missing it, as your footwork is less likely to be up to scratch, than if you wait for the right moment and bring him down. Also, fullbacks are not generally the biggest and best tacklers, so going for a smash would more quite likely to result in being bumped off.

Also, with a player 1 on 1 with the fullback, if he's brought down quickly there's a pretty high chance that the supporting players will score from the next play as the rest of the defensive line are not back onside. Again, if you try and slow the runner down, and make them make a decision, then it also allows your players to get back, and be better positioned for the next play.

The thread is do we need to strengthen the squad for 2013 and beyond. It's very likely that Webb will not be a Rhino next year and neither will Smith. I think BJB should be given a chance at fullback with an experienced quality winger/who can also cover fullback signed as this would assist our talanted youngsters. There is then some experience if BJB does not make it at fullback. Who is available?