I'd want to start as big and aggressive as we can. I'd be tempted to start with thompson at loose.

Yes I would too. IMO playing that way suits early season conditions

Ward played around 65 minutes in the whole of the 2020 season didn't he?


I do understand your point though.

I dont know how you can say ward was playing well when he did less than 80 minutes.

More aggressive than Prior at Loose not convinced on that one?

Ah my mistake Christopher thought he’d played 4 games early doors.

No I only meant if prior had to start at prop.

I think we need to give Cam Smith game time this year, although I feel Prior is a better LF at this stage in their respective careers. Cam was playing very well before his injury last year. I think he's tightened up his D loads and added strength. Would like to see him promote the ball more but.. there is a very good player in there somewhere.

What we really need is a specialist prop, most of us agree there - but failing that either Thompson or Prior to partner Mik, Holroyd and Tet up front and some sharing of LF would have to do. God help us if Mik, Tommy or Tet get injured early doors though. We've let a couple of prop academy prospects go so I'm not sure what other credible options we have. We really shouldn't be cobbling front rows together at the start of a season, but I suppose Ava leaving came a little late in the day for replacement.

Assuming Tet shows up and we can eventually bring in another big prop then I think we look really strong at loose with prior, thompson and Smith. If Smith continues to improve I'm all for him getting big minutes but in the first 20 -30 mins especially I'd go with prior or thompson. Form and injuries will obviously play a big part.

With +1 good prop we would be contenders I think - injuries allowing.

We seem to have thin cover at prop and half back at the moment in particular. We could do with a few more pushing through the Academy in those positions.

The exciting thing for us is just how much improvement remains in so many of the first team. Walker, Newman, Mik, Tommy, & Cam all have significant improvement in them, plus of course the next wave coming through.

Tindall showed glimpses of brilliance last year, he obviously needs to work on his D and particular his positioning, but he is a real prospect. We know about O'Connor (I'm still to be convinced there but he has a good attitude), Walters, and now Edwards and Gannon. Really hope Broadbent can step up too, great lad with talent but he's a classic centre for me.

Anyway a really solid pre-season is just what we need with such a young side; gives us time to get structures into the side and really work on the physicality and fitness the young lads need.

With one good prop we would be a contender ?
What do you mean by a contender ?
We are a long way off Saints and Wigan

I think we are heading in the right direction but yeah on a week to week basis we are still a bit off Saints and Wigan tho we can match them in a one off game.

Lads like Levi and Gannon are still kids.

Yeh, it’s great to see that we’ve got an exciting young crop.
They won’t all make it, but if 3 or 4 do, then that’s a great platform.

But we can’t possibly go into next season expecting to challenge Saints & Wigan with the current squad.
We still need a prop to replace Ava, possibly 2, but we could live with one.

Agree, Cam Smith needs games and needs to know what is his position - neither are his fault.
Walker staying fit worries me. Hopefully as he matures physically, he’ll be ok, but I desperately hope he’s not another Ward in terms of injuries.

For me we need at least 1 top class Prop a decent 6 & an explosive BR.
Then we may be contenders with our best 21/22 players available the squad imo is still carrying too many players who arent up to been top 3 & GF contenders.

Our first 13 a good and can challenge anyone but that won’t win titles. Our depth isn’t good enough yet and the 13 needs 2 to 3 quality acquisitions to really get back on top. One more good prop, class 6 and wing for me.