The thing is, even though I think it's his best position, I'm not sure his shortcomings (defensive positional play and catching the high ball) mean he is good enough.

Tomkins had the same problems hence is reputation but has significantly improved over time

Not sure he improved in these areas from the performances I saw in the NRL! However, if you would like Hampshire back we'll take Tomkins on loan next year instead.

Can Hampshire play next week?

Yes. As long as Wigan don't recall him.

It's the perfect storm, isn't it?

Interesting to read the Cas forum wher a number of them are saying he's playing better at fullback for them than he did at stand off.

100% playing better at full back. Its weird. He seems to be better in attack coming into the line than he does playing in the halves. Him and Webster have a great partnership going down the left when he joins the line off Gale.

Might look better at full back, but if a full back drops 3 balls in 10 minutes then what does that say about his skills there? I'm just not 100% convinced, does not look very committed.

I think it's pretty clear to see that putting Hampshire into the Wigan side at 6 is not going to transform our season.

This isn't history going to repeat itself when Sam replaced Tim smith.

He looks a talented player, with bags of potential but it's going to take much more than a handful of games before he's someone to build your team around, if he ever does get there, and that's a big if.

Hampshire isn't a Stand Off, not in a million years. Saying that, he isn't much cop as a defensive FB at the minute because he's not really safe under the high ball and his tackling isn't exactly spectacular. 2 things that can be improved with time.

Looks a totally different player ball in hand @ FB, he's actually a threat. If he wants to remain a half, his career is likely to end up in the Championship, sooner he focuses on a full time switch to FB the better it will be for his career.

No-one is saying it would transform our season, but that it would be a better option than Gregson or an out-of-position Lockers.

This is true. But we made a deal with Cas for a season long loan which requires both sides to commit to the terms. If you mess people around by disregarding the deals you make then it's very short sighted business.

By all accounts the Williams injury is very difficult to determine how long he'll be off , Rads said he could just get up and be fine to play tomorrow.

I'm guessing this is why they haven't recalled him.

There's a recall clause - how is recalling him "messing people around" or not committing to the terms?

The mystery around Williams' injury is bizarre. I've never heard anything like it. He's not played for 6 games but might be fine tomorrow or might be out for another 6 weeks. Crazy!

I'd guess that if we can't get someone out of the club there is no chance of Hampshire coming back this season on purely salary cap basis. Radlinski has already stated in that interview that the have had to apply for salary cap dispensation to allow the likes of Bretherton, Wells, Waterworth etc to play. Once a player outside your 25 highest earners plays for the first team then his years salary counts FULLY on the cap, even if he only plays one game.
So if Hampshire came back how would he fit under the cap (I am presuming that he on Cas's salary cap for this season, not Wigans)