Browsing through the various forums and comments, it seems there's a bit of work to get the team up to scratch for the season (in two weeks time), and decisions to make with who plays where. I think Saddened makes some valid points. From a personal point of view, I really don't get why we don't just go with our own young St Helens lads who are top quality and the future of rugby league. This is our community sport and having local lads who have come up through the ranks make the game a lot more enjoyable for me, although having said that, I do enjoy Sia's big hits and the intensity brought to the game by overseas players. However, buying in players to 'retire', is just not good enough. Makinson was fantastic and deserves a place everytime, alongside Gaskell who in my opinion, totally changed the game with his appearance. Both Gaskell and Makinson played like they've never been away. Gaskell is a quality player and not just his kicking but try assists, ball handling and I remember watching his conversions in the U20's when he belted over the sticks every time. I love his natural laid back way of play. I thought Wheeler stood out too last night; even though he could have gone for glory and scored he passed the ball out showing and fostering team spirit....something of which I didn't see much of in the first half. I hope Wheeler stays fit and we see a lot more of him. Looking forward to the season now after the friendly - although I must admit my heart was in my mouth last night for the first half.... I think my season ticket was money well spent.

That's rugby, yo could say you feel sorry for Gaskell when he didn't get the 6 jersey as its obvious Royce thinks lomax and lance are/was the halfbacks.

Lance is a good player and he will take the fullback spot this year.

I,m sure Lance will be a great asset for us this season. Personally I wouldn't pre judge him on the basis of one friendly game, he,s got to settle in and learn the set plays and understand the other players attributes.
Would like to see Nathan Ashe get more games at full back this season and I still reckon Makinson final position will be centre when Meli goes offski.

Everyone is forgetting the overseas first season curse. Lance will probably get injured and we won't see him again until next season!!

Stop it, you might jinx it and it might not happen now.

We're better with Gaskell on - full stop.

Throughout the first half, Widnes were consistantantly starting their sets on the 40 metre line. Without Gaskell's kicking game to find the ground between winger and fullback, we're automatically handicapped in the territory game.

Lance looked a handful, but he looked dodgy taking those kickoffs, so I don't think full back is a great shout for him. For me, you have to get Gaskell on the pitch and we'd be mad to consider dropping Lomax. I think Lance should be looking at the role Moore played for us, coming off the bench to add energy and take pressure of Robes.

I though Perry was awesome, Laffranchi came into the game a bit towards the end, and am I right in that we only saw Flanaghan for the first 20?

There were some pretty competant games from the like of Makinson, foster looks like his got a bit of extra meat on him, Dixon scored a wonderful try, Sia came up with some big plays but I think a couple of missess too (was it him that missed Hanbury for the try?).

It was a bit you score, we score, like friendlies can be, but it was nice to have a sit in the new place and watch the game.