Agreed.Only way off getting around this would be if you were lucky enough to have a player in the starting 13 who is versatile enough to cover various key roles.i.e Wilkin at Saints.Will certainly be a key thing sides will have to be thinking about moving forward.

It's a big risk to have a specialist on the bench just in case someone gets hurt, particularly if you're not going to use them otherwise.

Maybe McDermott's use of just 3 of his 4 replacements was actually a genius piece of preparation for these changes and getting the players used to having to do longer minutes?

With the change in subs rules, I'd think the make up of the bench will still be similar:
Two props
A back row forward who can play centre, or one of the starting back rows can.
A half/hooker, ideally a quick fella to bring on late.

Use four changes to split the game across the four props. Take one second row off at 20-30 mins and bring the sub on to play the rest of the game. The second row who went off come back part way into the second half. That leaves two changes, either swapping a half/hooker twice, or doing it once for the last quarter or so and keeping one change back.

I would guess that Leeds would look at someone like Ablett as cover for hooker rather than having a bench spot taken.

Stevie Ward?!

Or a with a player like Aiton who can play loose you can include that in your interchanges.

Yes I would consider Ward as someone like Ablett, a back row forward with good hands who can do the hard yards if necessary.

Thoughts on Mullally remain the same as when we announced it he's a young forward with potential who'll add depth to our Prop rotation.
RE-Aiton IF he and his agent are playing the "we've had a better offer elsewhere what are you gonna offer?" card then he's as good as gone GH doesn't Fcuk about like that we all know that.