Gaskell is a very under rated player by a lot of Saints fans. His game awareness for someone with so little games is amazing plus his kicking has been excellent. Lomax may catch the eye with his step by Gaskells passing and kicking have been more important to the team. Saying that we have to ignore this due to him only having 10 or so games is a big case of looking at the glass half empty.

As for who will play when Pryce comes back, I do not see why it has to be a choice. I have always thought that Leon would finish his career at 13. The choice may not even have to be made given how much Leon has played in the last 12 months.

I think there is little point with coming up with a "when they are all back" as things like Ades ACL can happen. I doubt there will be a point when everyone is back this season.

I think the games moved on now and Leon ain't the style of loose that Royce likes. TP and magennis will both start at loose if fit but next year I think laffranchi will be are loose/prop next year.

It's how the game is going, the ball playing loose is on its way out now.

I agree. Too many fans are distracted by flash. Gaskell has really been growing in the role and, as Simmons has said, Lomaskell as a partnership do everything at pace and so that helps to confuse and diffuse the opposition. Obviously they are both young and both inexperienced so they have a long, long way to go yet but if they both continue developing their game, with Gaskell growing in the role of director of operations as well, then I don't see why Leon should automatically find himself back in the no.6 spot. I know having Lomaskell in the halves puts more pressure on the senior players as they do not have the experience of the Leon Pryces of this world but that should change as time goes on and they get used to playing at first grade level. I suppose the real test for them as a partnership, and perhaps Gaskell in particular, will be playing against Wigan and Warrington. Unless they are injured, they are going to be the halfback pairing for both those games.


I've been saying that for a while. At present I personally don't expect to see Ade or Cloughie back this season and I have real doubts about Pryce as well. Wheeler is only due back in about six weeks and to be honest I just can't see where he will play at present unless Meli or one of the halfbacks sustains an injury (and then we have Kyle who can cover those positions). Flannery should be back shortly as he only had a calf strain. But how long Roby will be out for no-one knows at present and there is every chance more casualties will be added as the season progresses.

Pryce
Meli
Wheeler
Shenton
Foster
Gaskell
Lomax
Graham
Roby
Perry
Wellens
Wilkin
Puletua

LMS
Soliola
Clough/Flannery
Moore

Pick the bones out of that.

We certainly have some options when at full strength.

I would be certainly interested to see how a team as follows would go at Saints

Lomax
Gardner
Shenton
Meli
Foster
Wheeler
Pryce
Graham
Roby
Perry
Flannery
Wilkin
Clough

with subs: Puletua, LMS, Soliola, Moore

You will note i have left out Paul Wellens from the starting 17. This is because i have gone for Lomax at FB. I appreciate he has only played there once this season, however ultimately i see Lomax moving there, and i would like to see how his pace and creative ability would improve our attacking threat, similar to how S. Tomkins completely dominates the show at Wigan.
Wello is still a solid fullback, however the last two seasons he has IMO noticeably declined performance wise to the stage were in attack i think he is sometimes hindering our attack. This is born out in statistics if people dispute this.

Gaskell also doesnt make the side. However i do rate him highly, its just that i think a fit Wheeler with Pryce would be a really devastating attacking combo in the halves, especially with Lomax linking in from Fullback.

Some may question the lack of a traditional scrum half, however i think thats less important in the modern game, instead its more about having creative hubs. Royce plays split halves, and so Pryce could attack down the left channel and Wheeler the right channel. Lomax would then link in either side.

That's not a bad idea. Not sure if it would work but could have some potential in it if it does. He's not small so he'll be able to make a few yards when needed.

Pryce
Gardner
Shenton
Meli
Foster
Lomax
Wheeler
Graham
Roby
Perry
Wilkin
Wellens
Soliola

Puletua
LMS
Clough
Moore

I don't think Sia can play that role as he dont play as a prop. TP, magennis and clough are perfect for that role.

I think he's more of a prop than a Second Row really, he doesn't really have any hands to speak of and so isn't going to provide service like Wilkin. He's certainly big enough and just tends to batter his way forward.

Don't underestaimte the value of the combination of Lomax and Gaskell, which is very much a case of the sum of the whole being greater than the parts. On their own, they may not be the best in the halfs, but together, they have worked wonders. For that reason alone, I would leave them there, even when Pryce and Wheeler come back. It does leave a question mark over where they will play, and also where Hohaia will play. On the off chance that we can get everyone fit, there willl be some really tough decisions to make.

Sia does play slightly wide tho.

One of the key things in this prop/loose forward postion is not just being a one up battling ram but also to have the hands to pass and off load like TP, magennis and clough do. It's not just as a hit it up prop.

IMO laffranchi will take this role up next year.

Next time the NRL is on and Paul gallan plays, just watch his role. That's what Royce is looking for.

Fair enouugh, I agree with you about Laffrinchi.

That's wise. He's been making the same point on every thread for over a week now!

TP is also perfect for that role but I think Royce will go with laffranchi in that postion. That will allow perry and LMS to start as props and TP coming off the bench as a impact player.

Yep, agreed.