Quote: rubber duckie "I'm reading Fages Carney Chase...we don't need any of them?!
Westerman I would see a good signing...2 years back he was the hottest property. Wheeler too, he's had a lousy injury season, very disappointing, but he still has the talent to play to play centre at the highest level. I'd be happy to put him as 1st choice while we have a talent like Toby we can fall back on.
For me, I not convinced over the depth of weight and quality in the front row. Looks vastly shy of biff.
We need teams to worry about our pack, when looking at Saints Warmsley Masoe and LMS I worry.
That is the difference. We haven't had that solid threat since Morley and Carvell were here.'"
I can see where you are coming from with regards to pack size, I'm not sure I see us adding to the front row though now. We have the following capable of playing prop/3rd prop for us contracted for next year, with contract expiry date:
(I'm expecting an announcement in this weeks Guardian with all the contract renewals, so these will change)
Hill 2019
Sims 2016
Dodds 2016
Harrison 2017
Westwood 2016
England 2016
B Evans 2017
G King 2016
Philbin 2015 (I assume his contract will be renewed)
That's a lot of players capable of playing front row, I'm not sure in a salary capped competition we can afford another? The first 5 will probably be playing every week, the bottom four in reserve.
Centre for me is a far more important position for us to bring in at present, with the front row evolving as we have players come off contract. The one nagging doubt I have about that, is that if Smith was expecting to play Ratch at 6 or full back next season, wouldn't he be playing him there now, so he can gel with Sandow? Instead he has him out in the centre. Maybe he has a new half to come in for 2016 and expects Ratch to be playing right centre next year....?
I'd also keep Wheeler, but only if his contract was minimal, he can't be relied upon to be a first choice anything following his injury record or performances this year.