He was our best prop today. Not that it says much, but he was the only one who was remotely difficult for Hull to bring down. I don't think he's matching his best performances from last season but I think he's a long way from 'hearts not in it'. I see plenty of effort from him and it's no surprise that our best spells so far this year tend to come when he's on the field. Our pack would be noticeably weaker without him.

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As for the team for the next game, I think French needs to be back to fullback and Hardaker would presumably fit in at centre. If one of our back rowers is still needed at centre I think it should be Farrell. I don't see why he'd be the one to move into the pack when he's the one who has been impressing at centre and Smithies has been doing okay at left second row.

It was at a time when we had been given licence to move the ball around but I agree. Hardaker really should’ve kept his trap shut on the whole ‘I’m the best fullback’ thing. He’s had two nightmares since saying that and to me should now be moved back to centre. It’s always seemed the best thing for the team given the personnel we have but when you’re flying, how do you move him? But when you’ve had a couple of shockers you lose your grip on the spot.

Yeah that is true tbf.

I'm not against the change tbh, I'm just not full sold on the French dream. I think he's a good player, that can provide highlight reel moments. I do however think at their best, Zak is a better FB. If that the allows us to bring in a better centre, I'd argue the team is better balanced.

I wouldn’t go that far. He needs to find something inside himself to fulfil where I think he can go but that is to the very top of the game (internationals), so to see him drop off from last season is just a little surprising. I blame Lam for a lot of the issues in the prop department. The recruitment has been poor but there’s no doubt in my mind that Bullock and Havard aren’t being used enough. We started today with Singleton, Byrne and Partington in the middle and all three make less ground than Havard and Bullock (even with Havard not at his best).

the fact that if we win the CC then the club get a nice influx of cash....crashing out again with a p*ss poor performance must be grinding him, especially in the climate we are in

That’s a case of being our best prop, senior prop whilst still being a young inexperienced prop. He’s carrying the weight and expectation to make yards and carry the team forward on his shoulders, it’s little wonder he seems to be struggling a bit.

To me Smith looks a little lost this season as many have said he last tackle plays are poor,probably inexperience but someone needs to get a grip on him and help him out

I agree. It’s shocking really he could be in that position and the club is to blame for that. He should be allowed a bit of second season syndrome and have senior props to guide him through that but he hasn’t. If you put Havard at Saints and let him play with Walmsley, Passi and Amor then it’s miles easier.

It’s disgraceful the shape we find ourselves in at prop when I put that down in word form.

He goes to Saints he develops into a top class forward in 2/3yrs without a shadow of a doubt. If he carries on the way he is currently at Wigan, through no fault of his own I may add, he dwindles.

Your post has really wound me up about it, not because of your opinion; it’s bang on, but the situation we find ourselves in. Someone said on Twitter (and in here) we have the worst pack in the league in the context of props and honestly I’m struggling to disagree. How we let it get to this stage willingly is criminal. You’re not telling me there’s not enough cash in the bank to sign these cheap, effective, metre making and intimidating props like a Sau like a Satae? I’m amazed. I really am. Against the weaker teams like Leigh we’ll be fine, on the topic I expect us to dismantle them next week, but as is shown today against your Hulls/Wires/Saints you get found out if the pack is weak.

Radlinski needs to go and then we can start to change the culture and direction of our recruitment. It’s all well and good him sending bottles of whiskey to people when they’ve played 100 games or whatever but he hasn’t cut it from a recruitment and success perspective. Teflon.

How do you know what Radlinski's duties are? I wonder whether he had a role in retaining both French and Hastings when everyone thought they would both be gone.