Very true. It's a very difficult balancing act: it's great that the Championship clubs have the opportunity to gain promotion, and that league is pretty competitive (arguably more entertaining than SL at present).

For me, given RL's particular circumstances, promotion and relegation based basically on one season on the field is bonkers.

It doesn't refresh anything, because the same players end up in SL and the same ones in the divisions below, and if someone stands out they get snapped up by another club anyway... Club facilities, commercial sponsorship opportunities, strategic fit to the game's vision (giggles), support base and junior development infrastructure should be the key factors.

Only time will tell who comes thru in time but you are correct to point out that McDermott gave a few a go prior to this season.

There are times when he's a little "generous" with the ratings given the quality of performance and opposition. If we compared the current squad to the ones from 2004-2011 then the previous bunch would get 50's most weeks...

Barley a flicker...

i'm glad my wheat intolerance joke didn't go to waste.

Smith gets caught on the wrong side of the tackled player a lot when he's getting up after a tackle. He doesn't control the collision and he's always late into marker. Was far, far too slow getting into position on the goaline costing us a try second half. I know he's young but he seems to be lethargic and lack genuine strength and power running or in the tackle. Just not that impressive.

Shape is non existent in the team going forward or defending, kicking game is dreadful and last play on opponents line is beyond crap. Apart from that there's not much to work on, just fitness, attitude and basic decision making and skills. Not much at all. Be right in no time.

Yes watched the tries again the other day. Smith was awful in defence

I remember watching highlights of Smith in the academy because he was going to be a megastar and being shot down for suggesting he looked like a lot of his game seemed to be based on being bigger than the opposition.

He certainly doesn't seem to have transitioned to first team that well yet. He's clearly got a good rugby brain but as a forward that counts for nothing if he can't do the basics.

Cam Smith is absolutely fine. Hes still young and is doing a decent job and is gaining experience along the way.

Anyone remember Sinfield Ablett and JJB at same age?

Kevin Sinfield was an International at Smiths age

Weve had a few next big things over the years who didnt quite hit the heights. We were so fortunate to get Sinfield all those years ago and then read the comments that really meant admiration from opposing fans

He played in a young team that beat Russia but was only just becoming a real regular in the Leeds team at the same age and if you remember got dropped for the cup final that year.

Cam will be fine.

I tend to agree. He is a real footballer but still very young. What I will say though is that he needs to work extremely hard on his physical conditioning because he doesn’t have that natural edge now at open age.

He can defend very well front-on.

The thing is he’s a young learning his trade, and needs real quality around him. I think we need a Sims or JWH type prop still - someone who can put a shot on and lift the ante in defence. I don’t know who might be available for 2020 but we need some ticker and tiger in that pack.

I agree regarding a hard hitting prop but would also add that a tough tackling number 9 in the middle of the park would also help the team.

Where they come from is another issue.

I’m wondering if they plan to let Dwyer go and use Parcell as main hooker for the final year of his contract while Johnson comes through.