I guess Declan Patton will feature if there are injuries

The awareness you seem to lack is the understanding that those two qualities you say Russell lacks, are fundamental to position you say he ought to play!

To add to that, as a back he would have to stop big forwards running at him over and over and put them down.

Agreed the role of a hooker has changed, he no longer has to get nitpicking in a scrum using all his trade tricks to win or get a penalty from a scrum, but his central position in field means he has to rough it with the big boys, which means he ought to be a forward.
nippy but big enough to put a jamie Peacock or a aidrian morley on their !

Of the people not recognised as a hooker, i think Myler is the best option.

Matty Russell's teeth couldn't stand the front row of the scrum!!

In Grix and Myler, we have able replacements should anything happen, plus 19s lads.

A full year for Dwyer down at London will do him the world of good, then look to bring him back in next year if TS decides he is the man to eventually replace Higham

Myler and when he is fit again grix can cover hooker, let's not forget daryl Clark is well capable of 80 minutes at a high standard.

personally CW8, I think whichever 9 we field ought to be doing 80 mins.

The bench then 3 forwards and a utility back.

Give Ratchford a chance I say

I say just play him, he doesn't need to prove a point.

Play either Bridge and/or Wheeler at hb too and drop one of the current hb's.

I don't care which. But we need a footballer at hb fast.