He was very good last night. He looks a fantastic athlete firstly, his physique looks right - 6 foot and stocky enough but not 'big', then you throw in that he looks to have a brain and he looks a great prospect.

This for me is now the real 'we've arrived' moment for Warrington, injuries used to kill us, now they don't. It just forces Smith to show the world how talented our reserves are, and our reserves reserves are, tops. I don't even think Atkins is injured, I just think it's Smith showing off. I think he'll add an extra kid every week just to see how far he can push it. I reckon we'll have a school kid at fullback next week, it's only Wakey.

It's the footwork more than anything. Too many British centres seem to play like converted second rows, players who were deemed maybe 'too quick' for the pack. Rhys has played across all the back positions bar halfback through his ages, which is very evident when you see his play. Wouldn't surprise me if he fills in for Hodgson if (touchwood) he gets injured, his ability in open space would be frightening at full back, although I personally prefer the extra playmaker that Hodgson brings.

On GMR this afternoon Jack and Trevor were discussing Rhys and both were united in their praise of his performance in his full debut.

Jack went on to conclude that his perfomance reminded him of a past player in the way he ran and held himself on the pitch.

I wondered who, did he have the acceleration and unpredictability of a Jonathon Davies or the defensive solidity of an Allan Bateman. Maybe just the unpredictabilty of a Phil Blake ( with 2 boots on, not just 1)

No, Jack was convinced that Rhys reminded him of 'Disco' Tex Evans.



( I know he does look a bit like him )

This kid looks very good.

I especially liked the part in his interview when he was asked which country he will represent,good lad.

Thinking forward.

Rhys probaly has some more growing to do in the next few years, so what position do people think Rhys will be playing in two or three years.
He looks like a centre right now but with some muscle and weight on him could he be in the second row?
But thinking on the skills he has displayed could be wasted in the 2nd row, (no disrespect to either Louis or Benny )
Would he make a good Loose forward ?

A poster said earlier today that Rhys would be ready to slot into the fullback position when Brett's contract finishes in two years time.
So what position do you think Rhys could make his own in the future.

Out and out threequarter

like to see him at centre/wing and have an all british back line.
1.riley
2.williams
3.bridge
4.atkins
5.evans

edited for accuracy

Agreed, the ability with his feet would mean he'd be wasted at second row. Even if he does grow bigger and stronger, keep him out wide as, like we've seen with Inglis over the years, size combined with skilled footwork is nearly unstoppable.

With 4 out of the 5 hopefully also the England back line

Even though i would like to see Evans stick to Wales

It was interesting to see Evans on the pitch at the same time as Watkins, therefore easy to make a limited comparison of the two.

Watkins has long been heralded as the next big thing as a centre but injury has curtailed his progress to some degree.

Watching the two, it was clear that Evans has the better footwork and timing, he has a better instinct for reading attacking opportunities and is a better defender.

The two measured up pretty much the same in terms of physique and looked similar paced.

Its not hard to imagine them both playing centre for England in the next couple of years!

Shame his twin brother Ben got injured like he did. I would have liked to have seen Ben play some first team rugby this season.

He is Westwood mark II.

How long is he out for ?

Similar injury to King i think so around 10 weeks.