Quote: Deus Dat Incrementum "I'll bite.
If 5 years ago somebody would have said that in 2021 our backs could include Ratchford, Charnley, lineham, King Inglis, widdop and Austin the biggest question mark would have been against Toby King. I would have bitten your hand off with the others knowing that all the players from the 2011 team would have retired.
Strange to think that the one I would have questioned would be the one that I now have the least concerns about.'"
I mentioned in another thread, if you take a like-for-like player out of Saints or Wigan into that back line, does it turn us into world-beaters? If Warrington lined up with Coote, Grace, Bibby, Gildart, French steered by Fages and Hastings would we blow Hull off the park all of a sudden? I'm afraid I can't see it myself. It's about getting the best out of what is already a pretty decent squad.
I think it's true that we only have two first-class starting props at present, and maybe our backup signings aren't quite at the level of Paasi or a couple of Wigan's home-growns. It's not making that much of a difference though. Mulhern and Butler are more than capable of stepping up. I like Davis' attitude and Mamo's utility value, but not sure if Saints or Wigan would have taken them over their academy talent.
I'll be interested to see if Powell goes fishing into Moran and Middleton's pockets once our out-of-contract players are gone this season - I think he'll tweak what we've got left with a couple of key additions to pivot around. Maybe a young crafty half like Trueman on a long-term deal, and a pacy centre on the right side.