How long has Singleton been in and around the first team squad now?

He's got to add something to his game, whether it's a pass at the line or better footwork going into contact, because at the moment he's so predictable and easy to line up for defenders. Leads to him either being gang tackled or sat on his backside, giving slow play the balls.

Reminds me of both jamie field and Luke ambler, good youngster but cannot step up to laying against men, just look how Walters has made the step up compaired to the highly rated mincella

walters is the tits, he's just suddenly appeared and produced the goods without much fuss.

Glad we signed him up.

i think singleton needs a bit of bulking up. i'm happy to wait. props don't mature until 28/29. he's time yet

If props don't get good till then, how come so many of them actually go backwards by then?

Agree not writing him off but if I am honest he looks a bit too plump and needs some more good bulk. Sure he will make it, I like how he runs the ball up. Also think baldwinson needs to add a bit more bulk but he is younger. Mulhern just looks more physically ready

Because - and I think we might both have the same high profile example in mind (Fielden?) - they've been exposed to too much rugby too early and got physically and mentally worn down by it.

Peacock's the exception to a lot of rules, but I'm not sure he would still be the force he is now if he'd been playing top grade every week since he was 18.

Ah, but there is a difference between over exposed (burnt out) and getting better or worse in some cases.

Bailey could be another example. He was a far superior player in 2004-2005 than he has been in any of his last few years. I don't think that one was down to burn out at an early age though.

Fielden you are correct on, but everyone said in his early years how he was on for too many minutes. By contrast Sam Burgess and James Graham are awesome players, and will be no better at 29 than they were at 23, but still have plenty years in them.

The younger Burgess boys would all attest to the fact that the old "props peak at 30" mantra is probably no longer correct. Whilst they do need size, the best props also have some agility and speed. Not something that improves with age.