This was a good one, but Latchford Wolves whatever is by no means the only poster on here to have written Riley off down the years. Every season we get the 'With a fully fit 13, Riley misses out' brigade coming out of the woodwork, including even a number of the better posters.

It could still be argued that Riley does miss out if all of the backs are fully fit, viz:
Hodgson
Monaghan
Bridge
Ratchford
Atkins

Not my view, but perfectly plausible, I'm sure.

I had exactly the same opinion as Latchford Wolvesfan until the second half of 2008, I thought Riley was the new Gaskell and would end up in the NL. I'd have him in our strongest 13 now though.

Atkins' athleticism would make him a superb winger. Until Ryan Hall's superb Four Nations, I would have had Atkins on the wing ahead of him for England.

Let's be honest, last season when we had King, Monaghan, Atkins and Bridge fit, Riley probably would miss out on most games. He came back in last season but I forget who we moved to accommodate him. Any help?

Harrison with fewer minutes and King to second row? I actually can't remember neither.

I do think Reilly has been our most consistent player so far this season.

I am always flabergasted by people's readiness to move in form, key players out of position.

It is simple:

Atkins is one of, if not the, best centre in the league.
Riley is a natural and in form winger and was the best player on the field against saint helens.

Atkins shouldn't be played ahead of riley on the wing and ratchford shouln't be player ahead of atkins in the centres.

I remember this game the OP refers to. Bloody gutted that day. Drank myself into a hole that night outside the castle. Oh how the times have changed! (not the drinking though!)

I think with King leaving he does now make the first choice 13, last year I don't think he did. Ratchford for me, should not be near the 3/4 positions unless we have injuries. In a fully fit squad, he should be on the bench with 3 forwards, Higham misses out, Ratch/Myler to sub for Monas (if required). Obviously Smith trusts Riley to let the King go and let him fill the huge void, especially defensively, he left.

And Riles came back in because Bridge was playing in the back row on some occasions.

Of course he wasn't in our strongest 13 last year, Tony Smith didn't think so either thats why he got loaned out to Harlequins.

That was a good move because Riley is easily good enough to be a starting SL winger so it meant he kept his hand in first team action and when he came back at the end of the season he was ready to hit the ground running with us in the playoffs.

The big difference between him and Penny is when Penny lost form and went out of the team and away on loan he didn't take those opportunities, Riley did.

For me Riley has never been in my first 13 (or 17 for that matter) with Evans getting a wing spot ahead of him this year. However Riley, has he has done in past seasons, will probably end-up playing in more games than he misses over the course of the season.