Even Matt King an established Aussie international took time to settle so very early to pan Russell just yet. His signing is a bit like Tai’s who did tend to be the Dementor of attacking rugby but still contributed reasonably to our season.

I'll rephrase. "Probably needs to involve himself a bit more to justify a place in the 17 in doing so displacing players who have earnt their place".

Anyone know why Leyland has missed out? Has he picked up a knock or has Burgess just gone with experience, BUZZING Holroyd is starting and Lindop must have really impressed to start over Rodrick. Excited to see how he goes

[quote="Or thane":1wwetdh1]Anyone know why Leyland has missed out?[/quote:1wwetdh1] Yes. As it stands Ratchford is top of SB's list / hierarchy of potential half back partners to Williams. Leyland is new to the club and still learning the play structure etc. I don't think it will take too long for Ratch to pick up injury niggles, so Leyland will get his chance with Hayes still not fully fit. But that also depends on CTW starting games with Dufty also a potential half back option.

[quote="Abe Froman":1nn1h8su]Yes. As it stands Ratchford is top of SB's list / hierarchy of potential half back partners to Williams. Leyland is new to the club and still learning the play structure etc. I don't think it will take too long for Ratch to pick up injury niggles, so Leyland will get his chance with Hayes still not fully fit. But that also depends on CTW starting games with Dufty also a potential half back option.[/quote:1nn1h8su] Interesting. Yesterday's game has gone some way to persuading me that going with CTW at full-back and Dufty in the halves is actually worth trying at some point. Basically, we need to get CTW on the field - he's far too good a player to be sitting in the stands - and we also need Dufty's dithering under high kicks to stop being a problem, so maybe it's a way of solving both those challenges at the same time? It might work, it might not, but I reckon it's worth trying.

[quote="The Speculator":6kvv5k67]Interesting. Yesterday's game has gone some way to persuading me that going with CTW at full-back and Dufty in the halves is actually worth trying at some point. Basically, we need to get CTW on the field - he's far too good a player to be sitting in the stands - and we also need Dufty's dithering under high kicks to stop being a problem, so maybe it's a way of solving both those challenges at the same time? It might work, it might not, but I reckon it's worth trying.[/quote:6kvv5k67] Possibly worth a shot, though Dufty defending in the line doesn’t fill me with optimism…