I was told a good while ago, by a player, that the club wanted to try Ryan in the second row. I have since been told that Ryan doesn't want to move in to the second row, so it would appear he has had his wishes upheld.

Changing the topic slightly, how did we think jason clark did. he's very much a man of doing the unnoticeable stuff, but did you notice him?

i know there's the debate now about position names (props or middles) but he did seem to be getting used full time as prop at the weekend, very direct running in the middle of the field, never seemed to take a backward step and tackles in a typically well trained aussie style. Did he catch anyone elses eye?

Great shout FMC.
Yes. Doing the dirty stuff every team looking for success needs a couple of. With Clark and Hughes doing that, I'm very optimistic.

Being naughty.

He caught my eye and I watched him intently when he was on the field and when my mate asked me who my MOM was I said Jason Clark. I though we looked a lot more secure/composed/calm when he was in the middle with the lads. He's got a great engine and was willing to do the hard graft when we found ourselves coming out our own 20 or defending in our own 20. Very professional performance.

Clark and Hughes between them get involved in almost all defensive measures. If they dont hit first they are pretty much supporting tacklers.

Absolute work horses. I've a feeling J. Clark will get slated by some as he's not flash (Waterhouse copped a load of flak and he was the exact same) but him and Hughes in the 2 row is perfect. Strong, steady no nonsense types who work off the ball as well as on it. They can both can do 80 minutes too. Ideal starting 13 for me would be:

Ratch

Lineham
Goodwin
King
Charnley

Austin
Patton

Hill
D. Clark
Cooper
J. Clark
Hughes
Westwood

Then have Walker, Philbs, B.M.M & Akualoa/Tasi off the bench.

No Atkins?

Spot on - people who have a good understanding of the game will see him as an integral part of the team and a bit of an unheralded star. Others would prefer someone like Danny Lima........

more like Paul Darbyshire and Gary Sanderson.

Interesting the talk about J Clark, if I had any concerns about effectiveness at present it would be BMM, dons helmet and retreats...

BMM has a place in this team. I'd only want him in the closing 20 of a game when a breakthrough is required to finish off a game though.
Too risky to play him from minute 0.

BMM had a minor op ( calf) prior to the season starting, so he is not yet fit. I think he had a 20 min run out against Rochdale but didn't play in the Widnes friendly. So it will be a few matches yet before he hits his stride. In full flow he can be devastating, particularly with his turn of speed, so for me at least he would be one of the first names on the team sheet.

still worrying to see that knee strapped up though.

BMM hasn't been fit since the day he first signed and his performances have sufferred as a result.

We aren't short on backrowers - ship him out to Rochdale for a month because trying to play top level rugby whilst 70% doesn't do him, the team or us any favours.