Having to deal with lots of injuries at the same time (as we've done this season, with no props whatsoever at one point), will always leave you with the "problem" of fitting people in when they get back. The "replacements" have the opportunity to put the work in to earn a place.

Case in point, Carl Ablett. Ablett has been on our books years and has definitely benefited from us picking up injuries. It's only recently that people have started saying he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet. The question is, has he improved so much that he's now worthy of a 1-13 spot, or has he always been not far off but has more recently been given the opportunity to prove it?

Ablett is one of those players that probably wouldn't be where he is now, had he not spent the majority of his first 6 years at the club filling in for injuries. He played each of his '07 SL games as a Sub, and the majority of '08 as a sub or in the centre. The versatility of the kid has meant he's been able to provide cover for injured SR, Centres, LFs, and even Stand Offs (by shifting Kev and playing Ablett at 13) and now he's pretty much nailed on for a starting shirt, and the people he's been covering (Ali etc) are fighting to get the spot back off him. Injuries help to build your squad by forcing people to stand up and be counted. Ablett has done a fantastic job of seizing his opportunities perfectly and well done to him for that.

If BJB were fit, and Webb were to go 4/5/6 weeks injured now, Webby would be very hard pushed to get his spot back.

Sam Tomkins the same. Tim Smith's injury is the reason Tomkins was thrown in at the deep end, and Smith never got his shirt back either.

Ali gets back into the squad for what reason. His form prior to his injury was poor. Is he picked on the back of previous year's performances?

Delaney was recruited as a centre! We're now saying that we pick him as an SR. Does anyone else see the sheer desperation of that move. If Delaney moved into SR then Ablett has to play centre.

Hauraki has not had the best of starts and his performances do not merit inclusion in the squad.

Jay Pitts, how highly does McD rate him?

That leaves Ablett, JJB and Clarkson which doesn't give McD too many options.

Perhaps when you consider Ablett didn't make his full Leeds debut until 2008 (a Leeds SL record wait from debut to full debut of almost four seasons) then perhaps the above observation isn't quite as remarkable as it first appears.

Good post though all the same.

Not this again!

For me the top 3 are Ablett ,Jjb and Clarkson now the rotation idea works when everyone is fit and if we ever get them ALL fit my top 3 are as stated.

For this season I would leave delaney at centre with injuries we have. Would play ablett and JJB/Clarkson on other spot. Ali or huraki would be nowhere near my first team if all are avalable

Waktins needs to go to LC IMO when he comes back and Senior to right. Delaney doesnt pass the ball to his winger more than once a game so its a wasted player outside him. Plus when BJB comes back he would be my right winger. I reckon at the moment Abbo and Clarky are my top 2. JJB and Delaney being just behind them. But again, this can change on a week to week basis.

Agree regarding watkins to left centre. And keith to right but it just won't happen

Ben Jones-Bishop (the leading try scorer in the SL before his injury) will move back on to the wing when fit with Watkins to one of the centres. Where were you at the start of the year? You are posting as if this idea is a shocking new development