Does Smith really fall into the 'he's just the biggest kid in his age group' category? I've seen the lad in gym. and looks a bit of a porker to be honest.

No, and he never was. Not sure where the myth comes from, but I guess it is people who never saw him play as a junior. He was a big lad, no doubt, but no where near the size of many of his age group. He was a dedicated lad to to what he wanted to achieve, and put plenty time in the gym yes, but it was his skill level over the other players that made him stand out. He was the main ball player, the pivot, the organizer, of his junior team, not the bash it up and make yards player.

At Leeds, despite having that same pivot role in the under 16's, where again he stood out, they have tried to change him into a prop, and did it too early in his career. That is where his problems have stemmed from, and injuries. He isn't been asked to play his natural game, but instead a new entire role, that limits his major assets of skills. It hasn't worked, or at least it seems that way since he hasn't exactly excelled with this programme, but it seems to be lets persist with it. I think the club know he is too damn good to write off and let go, but at the same time I think two parties have to face reality with each other.

Smith looked way off the pace for us last season. Physically he looked the part but he was soft in contact in defence and in attack he was barely noticeable. He was coming back from injury and he got a few knocks playing for us too so that’s possibly a reason. The difference between Championship and 19s is vast though and he perhaps wasn’t ready for it.

JJR looked ok for us, better than Smith but he also got a knock and ended up back at Leeds. If I had to say who I thought had the better chance of making it I’d say JJR.

As for Bentley is was comfortably our player of the year. I’m not sure what he’s getting out of playing in an understrength Sheffield team made up of ringers that’s getting regularly beaten. Had he gone to Leeds he’d probably be at Fev on DR now which would be a better place for him.

The problem with Smith is he probably still has the skills he just cannot execute them at the pace he needs to to be competitive at the elite level. He looks disinterested at Leeds - and needs a fresh environment.

Are you saying they have literally tried to make him a prop or just been bulking him up? It can be hard to adjust to a change in size/body for young rugby and particularly football players. That and bad injuries means he should be cut a bit of slack for mine. He is still 19 and I don't see many 19 year old forwards ripping up SL.

Both. But they cut back on the bulking I believe when the injuries were persisting.

When did they try to make him a prop exactly?? He's always played BR or on the odd occasion at 6?

Regardless of anything else He looks too short to be suited to be a modern prop. Hope he can stay injury free and maybe show some of the quality in the championship later in the season