I just wanted to gather everyone's thoughts on Crabtree playing at 13.

With us now having more props, is there a potential for Crabtree to move to 13 on a more permanent basis? We know he can play big minutes, is defensively solid (missed about 10 tackles last season), knows his way to the try and has some real pace.

If it is felt that Ukuma Ta'ai belongs at prop forward then could we see Fielden, Kopczak, Patrick & Ta'ai as the props with Crabtree starting at 13, with Faiumu alternating between hooker and loose forward as required?

I think i said previously about Crabs playing 13, he seems to have the attributes for a fast athletic loose such as Gallen, albeit not the hands of Sinfield/O'Loughlin. Also said about him playing prop off the bench behind Koppy and Fielden but was told that would never happen

I am Paul Anderson and i claim my £5

not sure he would like, would lose his place in the england team.

stick with

kopczak
fielden

with crabtree and patrick off the bench.

ferres/chan/taai in second row... or lawrence whens he back

Eorl Crabtree is a player I have long admired and he is somebody I would like to see included in the side that competes for the World Cup at the end of the year, he can cause any side problems including Australia.

For such a big unit he has plenty of speed and agility which I think sometimes takes opponents by suprise and once he gets moving he is pretty difficult to stop unless you put numbers on him.

I think a lot may depend on the opposition in relation to where Paul Anderson want to play him on a game to game basis and of course it also depends what other options you have at both loose forward and the prop position.

Personally I would keep him at prop.

He is certainly a player that Wigan need to keep a close eye on at the weekend but he is not the only one in what should be an interesting encounter.

Think it will be a close one whichever side comes out on top.

Dont forget Eorl was once a 20+ tries a season centre in his early days so has the athletisicm from that.

Lol- only cause smith was desperate and he was the only player available!
Having said that I remember dave king taking a few sides apart playing at centre!

remember a great try King scored at workington when we won 10-9 !!

was like watching phil ford!
great day that,belsen on the upturned boat,the cast of deliverance,and a pitch invasion by 20 fartowners

Well Eorl made the Opta team of the week at 13, along with Lunt at 9; he outscored both the props quite comfortably. Agree it could jeopardise his England spot maybe, although you would hope McNamara would be able to recognise that he is playing as an extra prop essentially.

I hope it is only a stop gap. I would prefer to see a back row play 13 and Eorl play prop. Should we not learn lessons from last season on playing people out of position.

To be fair it isn't necessarily all that much out of position, quite a few clubs both here and in Aus/NZ play with effectively an extra prop at 13, Paul Gallen probably being the best example, or Bailey at Leeds for a spell last year closer to home. It also means Eorl gets more game time. Not saying I agree/disagree, but I don't think Eorl being played out of position is necessarily the main concern.

I'd like to see Eorl at 13 as he's super fit with pace for a big man. The only downside to this is that he'll probably not make the England squad at the end of the season due to O'Loughlin being McBanana's fave loose forward.

Caught an early flight home without telling us???

[Sorry, family conversation.]

To be fair it isn't necessarily all that much out of position, quite a few clubs both here and in Aus/NZ play with effectively an extra prop at 13, Paul Gallen probably being the best example, or Bailey at Leeds for a spell last year closer to home. It also means Eorl gets more game time. Not saying I agree/disagree, but I don't think Eorl being played out of position is necessarily the main concern.'"

eorl says he enjoyed playing at 13... cant see himself playing in the position often but when called upon to do it he will do