Struggling to see how Philbin will fit into Powell’s plans. He ain’t a 13 and not a starting prop. Lost some form from previous seasons, if I was Philbin I’d be either working extra hard in training or be a very worried man.

We have let Hill and Sita go, we have no idea who will replace them and you conclude that Philbin’s in danger of being sacked off? I would come to the exact opposite conclusion, he is as safe as it is possible to be!

I like Philbin but he isn’t a starting prop not does he give the minutes, size, reliability or game time of Hill. If the club think that is a ‘fix’ for the front row (which I’m sure they don’t) then we’ll be in for a tough 2022. Letting Hill go requires a like for like replacement or as close to that as possible. Looking forward to the announcement of a new top quality prop.

So Philbins place is safe because Wire have let two players go? As I said Philbin has to prove himself, because this season he’s been very poor. So it’s up to himself to make Powell make him a starting 13.

He ain’t a 13, I like a loose forward to play like a back but hit like a forward. Like Grix or Westerman. Unfortunately Philbin ain’t either

Most fans want that idyllic version of a loose forward but for whatever reason, coaches just want a 3rd prop.

I’d play Stef at 13 next season, put Thewlis at Fb. Ashton takes a wing spot with Jc

Ratchford then plays as an extra link player with Williams and Widdop.

Hard to say what Powell favours, they converted adam milner from hooker to 13, but he tends to start on the bench a lot, but with cas always having injuries, they have a lot of players filling in. I might have a look through some team sheets to see who's there more than others

I think Philbin has really upped his game recently, almost back to his best.

Not read all the posts, but we've lost one of our two best props.
I feel there was a good 2 years left in Chris and we rely on his go forward so much.

The potential replacements have a big job on their hands to fill the void.

So a prop at 35 36 years old is going to give you two good years. No sorry I don’t see it. Let’s go spend that wage cap on a prop

Agreed, I thought the game against saints the other week was the best I've seen from him for a long time.

We just signed Minikin, that puts questions on Ashton.

I’d say Powell like players that play, a bit like Tony Smith. Now Powell at Cas in recent times he has lost a lot of these players. When he rocks up at Wire I’d like to think Powell has some very good link players who play, and will create opportunities for others.

Nonsense. Minikin is back up to Ashton.

Agree with this too, if the correct replacement isn't available this year then a 1 year contract is right for the club. If we give him 2 years we miss out on any suitable replacement prop who would be available at the end of 2021 and 2022 or we have a massive amount of cap tied up in props for a season.

I am hopeful we have got someone signed already rather than the last minute KFP mission to Australia for recruitment which has so far yielded very little other than wasted cap space.