Given how Lee Gaskell is going for your team at present I rather think criticism of Saints in this regard is misplaced. Within the last decade we have produced two halfbacks who have gained representative honours in Kyle Eastmond and Matty Smith, and two further halfbacks who play for yourselves (Lee Gaskell) and Huddersfield (Jamie Ellis). In addition we produced Jonny Lomax although he was moved to fullback by Nathan Brown although IMO he's a better six. We have done our fair share of producing halfbacks. At present we are going through a fallow spell in the halves but are producing some good young forwards. I don't know whether we have any halfbacks of the right standard in the youth leagues at present only that the under 19s 7 is training with the first team.

really?
whenever i've seen him play, granted only on TV i can't say he's done anything to impress me, although he did put a nice kick in for a try on friday.

Tomkins and Widdop with Hardaker at one.

Back up to be provided by Smith and Ratchford.

Smith is like Deacon without the kicking ability. He looks great in a dominant team but is completely uncreative. 3 steps with the ball then an exaggerated pass along the line. No pace, cant support a break, doesn't commit a defender, crap tackler. He'd be better as your second hooker, rather than the one with famous brothers, except he can't tackle. Against Aus & NZ we need much more than mediocre.

I think he's got the tools to do a good job. Up to him how he uses them, but seems to read a game well and has nice hands and a decent kicking game when he gets the chance.

I'd be interested to see him without Matty Smith in the side, where he can take control a bit more.

From memory only Williams & Manfredi impressed me.

not going to happen though i dont think

id like to see ratchford in the halves but he doesnt play there enough for warrington nevermind getting called up to play for England in that position

tomkins also doesnt play enough in that position

so you have to stick with widdop and smith

I like Danny McGuire. I think of all the halves mentioned he, more than any other (including the much vaunted Danny Brough), has the ability to genuinely play with his head up and quickly assess what's in front him , something that the likes of Matty Smith seem unable to get the hang of.

Chances at international level are few and far between, so we need someone to notice them when they come up.

I think both this year and last he's looked sharper and better than for several years. For a while I don't think he's been playing well enough for an England call up but this year, if he carries on like he's started, his name should at least be in the mix.

McGuire is slow, though, and never seems to be fully fit. I'd have Brough over him in a heart-beat. Not that that's going to happen.

But isn't that the problem Bull Mania is referring to? Halves being brought through, but not given a chance and ultimately offloaded or moved to full back.

They had every chance at Saints. The lomaskell combo was supposed to be the next great combo for Saints, and both had multiple seasons to claim the position as their own. But they didn't, and Saints had no choice but to find replacements. To blame Saints strategy on the matter would completely ignore the fact we have players coming through in other positions and claiming regular first team rugby.

If Saints aren't giving kids a chance, God knows what you'd say about other teams!