I agree. There's far more pressure on a half back, both in expectation and rugby knowledge.

I've said previously, a modern day hooker is easy to transition into, to coach and to play (from experience).

And this is proved by the players who we have had step up into that position when needed - we've had half backs, loose forwards, even props!

I think your pretty much undervaluing what the club is doing with this. No one knows what it happening at training. We may just have found a player better than leeming.

I think we have recruited well, so that has restored my faith and confidence

well tell that to the club chairmen and head coaches who are apparently looking at using half backs as hookers rather than specialists but hey fans on a internet page know better !!

It's not so much they know better mate it's just that they have opinions, and i don't mind hearing them myself, god knows there is little enough posted on here anything to read is welcome.

\myself i agree with you, we have players who can cover that position and who knows maybe better than Leeming who to be fair had his games but he was no James Roby, Holmes for one looked quite handy to me for the most part, just a matter of coaching and you are right who knows what is happening in training' I see what jools is getting at but we all have our priorities positions, Mine is the Pack , i want to see some go forward and some offloading so everyone has a chance to play better and i'm happy to say we have made some improvements in that area.

Definitely boosted the pack which if we get the go forward will take the pressure off the hooker. Leemings gone but with a stronger pack our hooker is only the link to the stand-off so no need for a specialist just someone who can get the ball off the floor and into the stand-offs hands quickly enough. We've plenty who can cover that job but it all revolves round keeping the strong pack on the field and that's up to the coach and backroom staff.

10 of last years top 20 SL tacklers were hookers. Hookers have to get through a lot of physical work- Its all well and good putting a half or a prop in as cover for a game or two- but to be effective in that position he’s got to be physically able to put in 40 tackles week after week after week, whilst still having the ability to see the plays. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that if you look at the season as a whole when we had leeming start we were a better side.