Read any of my posts back, I love Paul Wellens, that doesn't mean I can't think hes past it though. Yes, I am in fact the only person in the UK who owns a tv.

It's standard practice for sides to defend scrums with no fullback, otherwise the attacking side would have a free overlap.

However, the highlights would suggest that the try was at least one tackle after the scrum, as it begins with a play the ball, so ordinarily the full back should be back in position by then. If you look at it, though, the play the ball is on Saints' left, and Foster is not on his wing as he is one of the markers. The defenders around the ruck clearly haven't noticed this, as noone has moved to make up the numbers on the blindside and Meli is left stranded. Wellens is rushing up to plug this gap when the kick goes over, which is why he's so far out of position. He took a split second decision to fix an issue in the line, and HKR were smart enough to capitalise on it, but the root cause as far as I could see was that we were caught napping at the ruck.

Oh yeah I know the Full Backs defend in the line, I've played at Full Back a fair bit but I always backed into position after the first or second tackle.

If that's the case Wello was unlucky with the positioning but still incredibly slow getting to the ball.

It's painful to look at. He's a complete liability.

On the same video, how sharp does Super Leon look? Absolutely fantabulous player that boy.

For people who missed it here is a screenshot of what our backfield looked like. If you squint you can just see Wello coming in to cover the kick.

No room for sentimentality in sport. He was very good. He is no longer very good. He shouldn't be playing, let alone captain. Club captain, yes. Team captain? No. Makinson should be given a season or two now to claim the FB spot for himself.

Wellens actually had a good game at HKR. Bear in mind had an operation pre season and worked hard to get fit.

He scored a good try and was very unlucky not to get a second having the ball knocked from his hands by a hard tackle just as he was going over the line. In addition he had 2 try assists. The kick through was actually the responsibility of Ade to cover.

If you dont think he is the best choice for the number one shirt then fair enough that is your opinion. Royce Simmons who has played and coached at the highest level seems to disagree but there you go!

The two things I object to is people basing their judgment of last weeks game on probably 1/80th of it they saw on the SLS as they didn't go and missed the very good things he did and the mocking one of our clubs legendary players, I just feel he deserves a little more respect than that.

Agreed

Wellens has never been fast, but now he is just painfully slow! Compare his pace to other top sides full backs and it would be embarrassing. Imo you would be better off with Hohia or Makinson at FB.

Like, say Brent Webb ? Faster but also totally erratic and a penalty machine ?

What he said.