Indeed that squad still needs a LOT of work.

Although you'd like to think our forward pack isn't the issue next season I'd pick Bullock over Mikalele as I think he's upped his game as the season has progressed.

In my opinion the opposite can be said of Mata'utia, he wasn't convincing at the start and he's gone backwards rather than kicking on, he seems to put the effort in but it's too lateral and he doesn't want to pass to his winger. I'd like us to go with Dean or Hayes with Williams and although not ideal if we don't recruit a centre I'd prefer giving 3 and 4 to Wrench and Currie

There more to Currie’s game than any of the backrowers we have for 2023.
He can handle left centre very well, and is a presence in the halves.
He is first pick for me on the backrow, but I’d have him at left centre before Ratchford.
Ratchford would be my 14 with 3 forwards.

I don't see any other teams having TWO twenty minutes 'impact' players. We can't have both Kasiano and makiele in the 17. Unless makiele massively improves his fitness I'd take bullock(or even philbin)over him.

I think we can have them both to be honest, 1 starting grafter Prop vaughan, with mikaele starting so an impact prop and a grafter. Then interchange Vaughan with Dudson and Mikaele with Kasiano. So at all times we have a grafter and an impact prop on the pitch. With Bullock on the bench as well, as he's a bit of a hybrid prop.
But Powell said Dudson is a perfect starting prop which is why i'm adament Dudson and Vaughan will be our starting 8 and 10. You could have both of them play for 25 mins (both more than capable) then bring on Mikaele and Kasiano on for 15 mins to cause chaos, then they both get the 20min half time break. Then play 15 mins then interchange again with Dudson and Vaughan to steadybthe ship for the last 20mins. So it is douable but it'll be interesting to see how powell decides to play them next year

So we’ve now got 197 props…..but no number 6? Please don’t say we’ll be using Ratchford as our starting stand-off.

George Williams No 6 (Stand-off) and Leon Hayes No 7 (Scrum-half), look our best combination

I find it baffling, worrying and totally counter productive that Powell has already shown his hand re: Ratchford and Dudson being in the starting 13.

So, where's the motivation for the likes of Dean and Bullock to have a huge off-season?

Places for round 1 starting 17 should be up for grabs from now until game day, based on what happens in between.

Possibly, big risk and big pressure on such a young lad though to put him in the most important position in the team with such responsibility.

Agree that the kid is young and very small, but the very best players emerge at his age and flourish.

We won`t know, if we don`t give it a go.

Powell has also reminded us recently that he plated Trueman from a very young age.

Powell takes credit for a lot of things. Shane he can't take responsibility for things that go tits up!

I think it's a bit much to put on his shoulders to be honest, Powell will need proven at the start of the year (which ratchford in the halves certainly isn't). I think we will be looking to sign a half. We need 2 centres and possibly a half.