Thewlis has extended until 2027. Apologies if it's already been mentioned on here. Too many pages to read.

He is currently a disaster in both attack and defence at centre.

Against Wigan, on a one to one basis (Not team), he couldn`t handle Iain Thornley of all people.

He was never fast, but now looks ponderous.

But mainly, because of the length of his contract, we have to find him a place, and neither Currie or Holmes are showing anything at 2nd row.

i dont see how that translates into put him in another position so he can be garbage there.

Personally i think its part of the team malaise and whilst he amongst others definitely could do with dropping and a kick up the , we should accept, its not happening, based on what we're hearing from powell, if and when the team starts putting everything together, he'll come good again.

but again, prior to this season he didn't show anything to convince me he would be good at second row, [sizei'd rather have livett back[/size

Wow that's a long contract. Hope he continues his excellent form.

OK, we will have to agree to disagree about Toby King, it`s a Discussion Forum after all.

I had a similar debate during the last close season, with a poster, about Connor Wrench playing on the wing this season.

That was probably me as well.

Its not personal I promise

Re King, we are not playing to his strengths, now I’m not advocating 5 drives and a kick to the corner, however taking the high kick when attacking the opponents line was one of his main strengths, how many times did we see him jump and score, or recycle the ball, or did we force a set restart with an accurate kick to the line, it’s definitely not his fault if we either swap him to the opposite centre, and change tactics and stop kicking to him, he can beat a man, however his final pass or lack there of is often found wanting. There are a few things we could do if he was dropped, a few players we could move position, Currie to centre, deputised well there a few seasons back, however his defence this year has been shocking, Ratchford to centre, as let’s face it he’s ineffective in the halves, or put Wrench to his natural position, bring Charley back into the fold, as he was actually scoring a few tries this year compared to last, whilst we are talking position changes and centres, I would leave Widdop at Full back, get Mata’utia in the halves, as the game he played there with Dean vs Hudds, was probably the most exciting rugby we have played all season, Mata’utia needs to be involved in the play as again I think he has been ineffective at centre, his top try scoring since he has been in this county was 4 tries all season, hardly a great strike rate from centre. I personally would like to see 1 to 7 as this is where the most interchangeable players are, FB Widdop, Wings Charnley & Ashton Centre Ratchford & Wrench, Halves Mata’utia & Williams, we also have Thewlis & Minikin when fit to throw in there. Defence wins games, if we sort that out we might start winning a few. Now there’s a thought.

Good Post.

Some interesting ideas, and combinations.

Anyone know what has happened to Tom Whitehead ? He was named in the first team squad for this season but not seen him mentioned in the Reserves. He might be too old for the Academy.

think he was squeezed out

Took me a little while but I got it eventually!

I think there's more to the Charnley situation than simply a few bad games. I would expect Powell to give Thewlis more time on the wing at the expense of Charnley, as Thewlis needs first team rugby even if he can't displace Widdop at the back. Thewlis has a quicker play the ball to put us on the front foot, is better at defending grubber kicks and is faster due to his off-the-mark acceleration.

It's a funny one with Widdop; he was outstanding against Saints but looked like it was his first senior game against Leeds. I can't work out where he plays best because he is so inconsistent this season.

It will be interesting to see where he goes re the team for Friday. Powell has said that he favours Thewlis / Wrench over Charnley as they are the future. Next season I think that we expect to Thewlis to play at Fullback with Ratchford, assuming that he is given a contract extension, becoming more of a squad player. Wrench and Minikin would therefore be challenging for Wing and ultimately Centre spot. If we haven't made a signing as direct replacement for Widdop then is Powell thinking of playing Mata'utia at Halfback?

I’m afraid I disagree with Charnley. He is a classic example of how a reputation can improve by NOT playing. The tries he scored this season were largely gimmes. He poses no attacking threat and he still insists on tangling people at the ptb. Wrench or Thewlis offer far more now.