Mathers is a solid full back. Returns the ball well and is a good talker in defence. On the negative though, he is capable of a brain fart as mentioned above and he does lack the pace of a Webb or Greenshields. If he were to get injured id like to see Bridge get a go there, as he could play as the 3rd half back in attack like Webb and Hodgson do. But Riley seems to be the back up full back, and he hasnt let anyone down when hes played there. But we do seem to have alot of options this year, which for many years has been out downfall.

He steps into the line well, he marshals the line too and is always very vocal, which is a good quality for a fullback as he's the one that sees the bigger picture positionally. Goes down easy, I'm guessing so that he can play the ball faster and odd lapse in concentration but can't ever fault his effort and enthusiasm.
I like Mathers, i think he should be given a vice captain role.

I think he one of our least capable players.

I must be in a minority here.

I can't understand how you'd want to be considering other players for full back. I thought Richie Mathers brought so much to our team that we didn't appear to have before.

I never saw Hicks or Riley as good a player as they both are, organising other players as much, talking and shouting as much etc. He makes mistakes, so what, everyone does.

I was really impressed by him last year

I'm surprised by the amount people who find him limited. Not that I disagree entirely, Its just, he isn't useless by any stretch of the imagination. I found it very interesting to read that he went on the Johns training sessions with the halfbacks. Its a clear statement on Smiths intentions with him and how he wants Richie to play the full back role, and more to the point that he thinks he is capable of it. In the Wigan game, Mathers was popping up at first receiver in strong attacking positions as much as Myler was in those first 20 minutes. Thats in contrast to how he joined in the attack last year, which was predominently out wide as a second stand off. I'm very interested to see how his role in the team develops. Personally I think it is asking a lot of him, as I think most of you would. Seems the boss disagrees. Big challenges for Richie this year, I hope he can do it!

Mathers every week. I think hes the type of player that brings things that dont show on stat sheets i.e enthusiasm, lifting spirits when things are going tough. Mathers is also very good at chiming nto the line, which he doesn't get a lot of credit for.

mathers every week, riley will need to try challenge for winger but hicks has gotta be in first team as he was top try scorer for us last season but id like to see more of penny. really have no idea what team it's going to be on sun can't wait.

Being vocal doesnt put points on the board.
I'd prefer to have Riley myself, years younger, quicker and will be a better player than Mathers one day.
It's last chance saloon for old richie in my eyes.

Harrison is the ideal modern 13. Mobile and large.
He's not the fittest imo, last into line often and it's been exploited before but he'll shed some fat through pre season, which he was a little. Again, better option than the older Vinnie Anderson imo who is really a second rower and should be playing in Louie's place.

you would prefer vinnie to louis tough one for me really

Well, if you look at his Saints days im sure he was playing 12 then and last year he had a few games where he played at SR and looked much more comfortable imo. I prefer my 13s to be big bollocking things and VA just isnt that for me.

Thought I'd bring this back up.

Mathers has had some dodgy moments this season already with his mistake at Cas that led to a try, his mistake yesterday that could have been a whole lot worse and things like his pass to King infront of his sticks on his own 5... It's not great stuff to be honest, he gives his all and he means well but is he really good enough

He doesnt make many breaks and his strength coming away from his own line isnt the best, personally i dont feel he's good enough for us but we probably cant do much this season due to the salary cap limit but if were able to replace him next year then imo he should be second on the list for going behind Vinnie Anderson.

One day the team wont be able to make up for his mistakes and he'll cost us a game or two.

to say he doesnt exactly fill me with confidence would be an understatement.

Mathers had a great game yesterday.

One mistake was dropping an excellent kick-off that fee from the heavens straight under the cross bar.

Still he was involved in holding Huddersfield players up or forcing a dropped ball over our own line four times.

I would expect those with a coaching in-sight to acknowledge that better communication playes a massive part in tightening up a defense and Mathers is constantly organising the players in front of him.

He is exceptional at that. More importantly, the players in front of him listen and respond to his instruction.

That was an astounding kick off. He lay the ball across the tee and got right under it. It was spiralling all over the place and came down right in line with the cross bar. Terrible mistake by Lee Bri...Chris Ril.. oh no, Richie Mathers not to catch it and go the length of the field.