Very close then, apart from a few good tries Nicholson didn't excel in defense or attack, and wasn't a stand out player. He's good but overrated. Holroyd was superb in defense and full of energy in attack, not as big as Nicholson but not a big loss losing Nicholson with Holroyd stepping up.

I would argue we haven’t lost with Bateman, him only being on loan.
His inclusion displaced Holroyd, who will be coming back matured an hungry to disprove Wire’s decision to drop him for Bateman.
Fitzgibbon fit is a greater presence than Nicholson. We still have Currie too.
And with the academy lads pushing themselves on the fringes, backrow is one area Wire really has no weaknesses.

Re: Bateman, I was considering the strength of the squad as 2024 ended vs the projected squad for the start of 2025. Bateman was in the former, but won't be in the latter. Hence a loss. His performances really improved over the final weeks. But I like Holroyd and hope he continues his development.

If the squad numbers are anything to go by it looks like Currie and Fitzgibbon in the 2nd row with Yates at loose forward.

If Fitzgibbon can stay fit I think that's a pretty strong back row. Let's hope his shoulder is in full working order going into 2025.

I also like Holroyd, would just like to see him pile on some bulk asap as he's pretty fearless and is going to take some knocks.

Russell, we'll wait and see but using a quota spot on a player with his record still leaves me a little surprised.

I believe Fitzgibbon's surgery went as well as could be expected, fingers crossed he stays fit as he's an excellent second row. Also hope Holroyd has been bulking up a little as he's a real quality player IMO.

Fitzgibbon, who has a history of shoulder problems, underwent surgery that is believed to have uncovered and corrected an underlying issue, so the hope within the club is that he will be able to play a full part in 2025.

Could make a real difference, this next season, if Fitzgibbon stays fit. We missed him at the end of the season. Big game player & a bit of quality.

Still need a huge destructive impact pro ala Mago/Satae mould.

We are well off for props (ten named in the first team squad) who can play first team & hopefully one or even two might step up this year. We are probably stronger than usual in this regard. However, like you, I'd love one who can scatter opposition on a regular basis. I know Okoro was coming back from a nasty injury (broken jaw) but did anyone see him in action towards the end of the year?

6’4 and 17st I’d like to hope there are some opportunities for him this season. Still very young and possible for him to be a big player for us.

That's quantity though, effectiveness is yet to be proven for a good number.

He seemed to spend quite a bit of time running across the face of the defence in the game I saw, looking to find a gap. With his size I was expecting to see rather more of a 'in your face ' approach. Still, the coaches will have spent a lot of time with him when it comes to the start of the '25 season, so we will see.

Thanks for this. I'll put you on the spot. Which of our young props do you think is most likely to step up?

That means almost nothing if they don't have drive and aggression. See Bullock, Sangare, Dudson, Karl Pryce, Kibula

*sighs*