Will we see this more often in the future now do you think? I know the difference is negligible nowadays but this selection stood out for me.

Wouldn't surprised if we did. He could probably do a good job as a Graham style ball handling prop. Great hands close to the line and showed against New Zealand that he can score from those kind of positions.

And makes it easier to spell him in 20-30 minute breaks.

I thought it was a great move. It doesn't change his role much and it gets Bateman in the middle where he's at his best.

Id go as far as to say we could well make it permenant.

Great idea putting the most important, yet fragile player, we have in a position where he'll take more hits.

How about this for a novel idea - we actually just sign a decent prop...

At loose forward he plays in the middle, at prop he'll also play in the middle. He played less minutes then usual tonight as well.

He's not fragile in the sense that he's breaking bones or missing games due to impact injuries. He misses games due to muscle pulls and strains mainly and i don't see a move from 13 to 10 increasing the chance of them really.

The signing a prop bit I agree with.

So much for our strength in depth.
Apart from Flower we don't have a another decent prop on the books unless Sutton comes through.
I've seen more go forward in an Italian Infantry

Nothing wrong with Tony Clubb, would like to see us sign a good prop though. Italian infantry made me chuckle

Anyone know why Mossop was missing? Did he not get selected or was he injured?

Well I thought Lockers caused them problems but I agree, it highlights an issue of strength in depth. If Lockers can get a game at prop and looks better than just about all of them bar Flower doesn't this tell Wane something?

O'Loughlin went well tonight and this could very well be his new position.

As things stand though these are my thoughts on majority of our propsTWO.

Im well aware of the players we have in our academy and im sure they have great potential but forwards always take longer to come through than backs so i want to focus this on the here and now.

He's playing the exact same position in the exact same way as last season. Only difference is he's spelled more.
He's a 'ball playing 'middle'.

Forget traditional numbers and positions. Now we have:

Middles:

Lockers
Batman
Flower
Crosby
Mossop
Clubb etc

Edges:

Joel
Faz
(Batman as well)
Etc

Dummy half

Used to be a hooker

Outside backs:

(Wingers, centres)

Halves:
Used to be scrum half and stand off

Full back.