Quote: Billinge_Lump "A back 3 of Wellens, Gardner and Meli was proven to be not good enough for us to win anything in 2007, and 2008, and 2009. Why will it be good enough in 2013?'"
We won WCC, Challenge Cup & League Leaders Shield in 2007, and then Challenge Cup & League Leaders Shield in 2008...would hardly call that winning nothing
Quote: Billinge_Lump "Gardner is no better at 30 than either Makinson or Foster, and they bring us speed or points via kicking. At least their weaknesses can be attributed to inexperience and can hopefully be ironed out of their game. After 10 years, I've given up hope that Gardner will do the same.'"
Gardner was playing very well for us before his injury in 2011 and was imo our best winger in 2012 when he was fit. He is a strong runner of the ball, generally safe and his defence is pretty solid. Scores a lot of tries from kicks (when we have a half decent kicker) - my only fear around Ade would be his fitness as he has missed large parts of last 2 years through injury.
As for starting 17, I would go with:
Wellens
Gardner/Makinson
Turner
Jones
Meli
Gaskell
Lomax
Perry
Roby
Laffranchi
Sia
Manu
Wilkin
TP
Clough/Flanagan
LMS
Hohaia