I agree with you.

We need to keep the balance between experience and inexperience. To get rid of so many players at once on top of the number who are leaving anyway would leave us too vulnerable.

The one thing that annoys me most about Wilkin; his temperament. The amount of meters he costs us in big games with his needless penalties is ridiculous.

I always liked Wilkin but I think now its safe to say he wont ever live upto the promise he had as a young lad, a combination of ill disciplin and th fact that he's pretty much turned into an average second row forward means its probably time he made way for Dixon/Ashurst/Magennis. I'm pretty certain it would save us a decent wedge on the cap

It might do, but he's better looking than those three so I figure we should keep him on myself.

I think he works hard does Wilkin. He hasn't been the same since returning from injury and he does have a tendency to give away penalties, but he's had that for ages now. He could do with some stability again, to let him get back into things. Hopefully our new coach will (a) think about that kind of thing and (b) not have to deal with the injuries we have had during the recent season.

Saints need a settled 1, 6, 7 , 9 and 13.
Wellens is our #1 and should continue there for at least another year. 6 and 7 this year have been beset with injuries, hopefully next year this will improve. #9 has been confused this year with 3 good hookers, next year, Moore and Roby should make that spot thier own. Big problem for the last few year, since Scullys injury problems, has been at #13, where no one has had chance to settle into the role. Give the #13 jersey to either Wilkin or Flannery, and leave them there for the year. Both are 80 minute players. Stop farming it out to Roby, Puletua, Hargreaves, Clough and anyone else who just happens to be available. Settle the spine of the team, and build around them.