If Butler can bring the go forward, minutes and 100% commitment and effort that Eddie Battye gave to Wakefield during his recent loan spell then I'll be happy. At 22 he is young for a player but particularly Prop so bags of potential to grow into his role with us as Hill and Cooper enter their twilight years.

We all know we need reinforcements up front and I'm really hopeful that this turns into an inspired piece of business

Seems like an encouraging signing, I'm looking forward to seeing how Rob Butler goes with us.

I hope we do use the ‘Widdop’ money to spend in other areas, like another prop.... I’d happily see Ratchford at halfback alongside Austin. I felt at times during the season that pairing was a better half combo then Austin & Widdop.

Ashton, Thewlis, Inglis and Mamo to cover the 1 position.

I have only seen Butler play once, I think. But there can not be many Championship players that get picked for the Knights, plus he looks big and up for the confrontation. As Rico says he looks a genuinely good prospect with age on his side.

I would say so. Ashton is raw and at time calamitous.
I’d look to use him on the wing and fb cover.

Definitely wouldn’t skip Ashton....he’d be in the wing got me.

Thewlis is a natural full back who is going to get better the more he plays.

fair enough.

HB, wing, FB is like the Bermuda Triangle because one of the players gets dropped regardless.

If you put Thewliss at FB ( and yes, I think he would do a very good job), Ratchford at HB and Ashton on the wing, then who from Lineham and Charnley would you drop ?
Whoever it was, I don't even think that they would make the bench.

Leaving Ratchford at FB and moving Ashton to the wing would again mean dropping one of our wingers plus Thewliss. Otherwise you would drop both Ashton and Thewliss.

I think the only choice that Price is fairly certain to make is Ratchford to HB.


It will be interesting to hear peoples views on this one.

Ratchford will do a job at Half back.

Not a world beater there. not an out and out half back.

However do out and out half backs exist in the modern game?

Ratch to Half back
6,7 and 1 are pretty much the same going forward now anyway

If Widdop Stays

FB: Ratchford
W: Ashton
W: Charnley
SO: Austin
SH: Widdop

Lineham to be the one to make way given I just don't trust him not to do something stupid that can cost us.

If Widdop goes

FB: Ashton
W: Lineham
W: Charnley
SO: Austin
SH: Ratchford

Ashton then has 12 months to determine whether his future is as a full back or a winger. Thewlis to be first full back cover - he's only 18 so plenty of time. Hopefully free cap space up for another high quality pack addition. Lineham get's an opportunity to redeem himself, but if Thelwis at FB and Ashton wing looks the better option he'd be on his way for me at the end of 2021, his cap space taken by another prop / back rower.

Sign Sezer, Ratchford at 13, Ashton FB, Thewlis deputises.

So next year we seem to be shaping up something like:

1. Ashton/Thewlis
2. Charnley
3. Inglis
4. King
5. Lineham/Mamo
6. Ratchford
7. Austin
8. Hill
9. Clark
10. Cooper
11. Currie
12. Hughes
13. Clark

14. Walker/Davis
15. Philbin
16. Robson/Sita
17. Butler

i've been trying to dig out some highlights with butler in from 2019, not easy when london were getting beat most weeks.

So far i've managed to ascertain,

A, he looks a bit leggy, and tired 90% of the time (based on about 26 minutes of abbreviated highlights, (this may or may not be fair))

and 2, he rolls his socks down, ooooh, i dont like that