To add a bit of complication to this discussion. Do we go with the 80min hooker. For years Saints were able to do this because Roby could easily do 80 mins. Similar with Powell at Wigan. That provides the extra forward on the bench for rotation.
We dont have a Simon Grix type player next year that could drop in at hooker, SR, LF or even centre or stand off if needed.

I recall talk about Philbin being a starting prop in the build up to 2021 season but was never convinced. I would prefer if he played 13 rotating with McGuire.

Holmes will be back at second row and Nicholson will still get plenty of opportunity for game time and development.

So
Start with Vaughan and Bullock if he keeps improving.
Rotate with kassiano and Dudson keeping the french connection together.
SR of Currie and Holmes .
LF of McGuire and Philbin.

Mikeale and Harrison covering injuries and suspensions or the extra forward if we go with an 80min hooker.
With the size of the pack we might have to go with 4 forwards on the bench. IIRC Holmes ended up at centre last night when Wrench went off so he (or Currie) could allow cover if the backs need to shuffle round.

I know this is unfashionable on this forum but I do think Holmes needs to get some credit. In the last few weeks he has been a bit of a tackling machine. His versatility is useful too. I think he will still be a regular next season.

He had a very good game last night, and he was very industrious the week before - 63 tackles I think, problem was he missed two key ones in the build up to a Wigan try.

I'd rather have 35 tackles and zero missed, but fair play he was good V Toulouse. As was another perennial mystery, Jason Clark - in fact he was superb.

All comments above go to show that we're pretty well stocked for forwards next year, especially props, and there'll be some serious competition for places. I still think we lack a hole punching back rower but maybe new bigger props will put us on the front foot which will generate gaps for Currie etc. to fly through.

If I could wave a magic wand the main thing I'd want to add to our squad for 2023 would be an experienced half back to complement (and free up ) Williams. Someone who had a great in field kicking game and led the pack around the pitch. Doesn't need to be particularly pacy as we have plenty of pace elsewhere but a real midfield general. Not sure whether we have cap space or whether anyone suitable is available.

Hang on there I have watched that try. He missed tackles on Field and then French who were both jinking about in broken field. Methinks you are being much too critical.
Also if you make lots of tackles you are bound to miss more than someone who only makes a few.

The Magic Wand has already come up with a man called "Dufty" who looks a superb addition. If we'd have had him all season!

We are likely to be always 1-2 out with an injury or suspension and we will still have depth and competition.

A good blend of grunt and genuine off the bench impact.

I think it will be:

Vaughan Clark Dudson
Currie nicholson
Maguire

Mikaele
Kasiano
Holmes

Bullock will be first reserve and will probably get more games than one or 2 of the other 4 props covering injuries and suspensions. Philbin shouldn't be anywhere near the team until chance allows him an opportunity and then he will have to perform really well to keep the shirt, he's been well off this season.

He looks a great signing.

Bullock will get plenty of opportunity either way, I think he seems to thrive on having to perform for his shirt if his form since being dropped is anything to go by, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up as a starter given recent performance levels.

I think Bullock started as a winger. Just been watching Ryan Hall taking the ball up ... blimey!

Re: Holmes. If he’s not better than Nicholson now (and he’s not, according to Powell who for all but one week has preferred Nicholson to him) will he ever be?

Credit where it’s due, decent last night. But, if you’ve lost your spot to a kid who had only played one Super League game before joining us mid-season (feel free to correct me, could be more games) then I think your card is marked. Nicholson, with a pre-season and 10 games under his belt, will get better. Longstaff could even close the gap after 6/7 starts at Hull. I think there is work to do for Holmes to justify his spot.

WRT props it would be good to see the club focussing on identifying and developing some promising young British talent, similar to our friends up the A49.
Not easy apparently, but they must be out there somewhere and it would be good if they could be mentored by the very experienced props joining us next season.

Powell was asked about wether he thought we needed props for 2022.
He said no.