I'm happy with giving Prescott a rest by playing O'carroll on Friday. Not because Prescott has been playing poorly, I don't think he has, but we have a squad and need to be giving the fringe players some game time or else when we do need them to cover for injury, they will not be ready to step up if the reserves/under 20s competition is as weak as I think it's going to be.

While we are at it I would also consider rotating some of the back row forwards as well. They have been getting through an awful lot of work and I don't want them to burn out. Now that Bailey is back and looking OK it gives us more opportunity to do this. Harrison Hanson has been playing very well this season but has left the field looking very shaken in both the last two games after taking heavy knocks so why not consider giving him a break at some time as too.

Most of us have been grumbling about Noble's attitude to the chosen few. He wouldn't rotate (or drop) players when it was needed. What is wrong with rotating when things are going well if it's for the longer term benefit of the squad?

I'll answer my own question by saying we don't want to risk losing, but we boast about our improved squad this year. Let's use it. In this situation team changes shouldn't be looked on as one player being dropped and another promoted, we need to get away from that attitude and go forward as a first team squad rather than purely a first team???

Agreed Rogues. I thought O'carroll had a good match, but everyone did in fairness.

His defence is awesome.

I really really think you need players like O'Carroll, in any side, whilst he may never break any pots and be the best in the world, if you put a brick wall in an oposition shirt he will run at it!

Oposition players always seem to try and line him up (ala morley) but he seldom seams to come off second best.

Also i dont recall him dropping much ball when he takes it in, which is sometimes a strugle for our front row, but not as bad this season.

I think he can play a Mick Cassidy type of role for us!

O'Carroll will always hold his end up in the side. He won't let you down and he'll get through his work with minimum fuss.

I thought he was great last night. He ran it tough, defended tough and made no mistakes. He very rarely does come up with any real errors and everytime I watch him I can't help but feel we really need to keep hold of this lad for the long term.

I've always said he'll be a slow burner but when this lad is 26-27 he'll be a very good player imo.

Guissett (I think) came flying out the line to put a big hit on O'carroll, he connected, but didn't stop him and he kept on going for a few more metres and more players had to come and put him down.

A real tough lad.

He was very impressive last night in all areas. His defence is superb, he's very quick out the line and from marker and so he really gets in the quick tackles and pegs the opposition back. He's also capable of standing up to some bigger players when they target him
Attacking was his big weakness last season, but last night he didn't have too much of a problem. His size makes him pretty easy to be pushed back by the opposition at times, and he doesn't have the poweful leg drive that Prescott and Mossop have, but he makes up for it by running direct and at some speed and covering ground quickly before the defence can meet him.

I think Coley, Fielden, Prescott and O'Carroll were all very good last night. Feka will have to work hard to get back into contention IMO because all 4 of those props are playing well.