If we don't sign a new half then Ratchford will start in the halves next season.
If we do sign a half then i think Ratchford will become a pure utility player playing wherever is needed when injuries strike.

Wrench is an ACL season long absentee.
It’s probably his contract, that we will be saving via the loophole, to sign a halfback with the rest of the cap we have left.
If we don’t, Ratchford is good enough with this pack.

I thought I had read May/June for Wrench to return?

The long and short of it is, Powell has given Ratchford a 2 year deal, so he has a plan for him. If it was 1 year on significantly reduced terms it might have been a case of keeping him as a spare part/good influence, but to commit to 2 years there has to be a plan, surely.

I think Powell might agree with you, and think that he is a halfback. Or at least did at one stage of last season. If not half, then the obvious choice is that bench spot.

May was the original estimate and that has been reiterated in today’s Warrington Guardian.

I don’t like the idea of Ratchford at Half-Back. I’m fine with him as cover for Full Back, Centre or Half but not in the starting 13.

Brisbane have released an experienced organising half back … highly rated still over there… believe his name is Tyrone Roberts … just saying

It may have already been discussed elsewhere but who takes over goalkicking duties if Ratchford doesn't start?

oooohhhh i'll see if he has a highlight reel

Interview with Powell due to be released on club website tomorrow.

Quote: St Helens Wolf "Interview with Powell due to be released on club website tomorrow. '" https://twitter.com/WarringtonRLFC/stat ... heuYA&s=19

Quote: St Helens Wolf "Interview with Powell due to be released on club website tomorrow. '" https://twitter.com/WarringtonRLFC/stat ... heuYA&s=19

For a few years now, we seem to do the equivalent of Xmas shopping in a service station on Xmas Eve, taking whatever is available, regardless of whether it's apt, useful or serves a purpose. If were after a centre and a half, it does make me wonder who we will sign up.

A couple of years ago I recall seeing a piece on TV where Powell, Sheridan etc sat down before the start of a season to weigh up recruitment and retention for the season beyond the one they were about to start. I remember them discussing a uk based pivot and about 8 months last they announced Evalds for the following season.
It looked like they were way ahead of the game thinking long term so I dont quite get how we have ended up in this situation.
I guess they may not have seen the Toby King scenario coming but I dont get the halfback situation.

Ironically, the place you’re most likely to pick up a Toby King.

To be fair we had Dudson, Kasiano, Vaughan, McGuire, Dufty, Mikaele & Nicholson all signed up and announced very early, 3 of them we managed to get to come in this season. All seem to fit a narrative of a dominant forward pack, with pacey backs and planning for the future in terms of Nicholson.

Wardle seems to have been organised early too, but somethings clearly gone wrong, had King ripped it up at Hudds i'm sure he would have stayed at Hudds and Wardle would have stayed here - Wardle still might - season has finished and Wigan were supposed to have signed him ages ago, so why no announcement?

In terms of the half back, my guess is Powell hoped Ratchford would be able to cover, but his view seems to have changed. He is now reliant on moving on a couple of players it seems before he can bring in a half, so we can't sign anybody until we have resolved that situation - maybe we have an agreement already in place, hard to tell.

Brilliant response. I'd have responded earlier, but it took a while to mop up and dry out the cup of tea that engulfed a monitor and a keyboard.

We will struggle with Ratchford at half back next year, as people have alluded to he shouldn’t be in the starting 13 now. I’d much rather we sign an out & out kicking half back or give Hayes* the opportunity.