I think Byrne is currently showing up better than Singleton. In fact, I'd say he's the second most effective prop after Mago, although I like what I'm seeing from Ellis too. For me Byrne is a definite in the 17 and there's an argument for him starting alongside Ellis.

As for the French/Field debate I really do think it comes down to a conversation as to who (if any) is likely to stay then play them in their preferred position. As people have said elsewhere; we can't keep ripping up the blueprint every season especially from the starting point we seem to have this season. Good squad management next season could see us at the very top again.

To fit them both in for this season it's a straight choice between French fullback/Field 6 or Field fullback/French wing. Give them both a try in the lesser games I say and see which has the best balance. Great problem to have though. When you think we have Havard, Thornley and French to come back into last night's side and the likes of Miski, Hallsall, Shorrocks, Smith, O'Neil, Nsemba, Partington etc having to fight to get a chance, we're looking stronger than we have in quite some time!

I’d start Byrne and Smithies Thursday alongside Ellis and put Isa and Singleton down to the bench. It wouldn’t be a dropping as such but a reward for those two lads and just a hint to Isa and Singleton that they’ll need to start a bit quicker the next time they’re in the 13. I thought Smithies stats would look better tbh but I just thought to the naked eye he was really strong.

I think that's a decent shout. Smithies seems to have more focus on his rugby this season instead of playing the hard man. Coupled with a bit of bulking up and stronger leg drive he seems to be more effective. As I've said previously, stats don't always tell the full story. He, along with Byrne, Mago and Ellis, are taking the fight into the teeth of the opposition defence and winning the battle. It might not result in Walmsley style metres but it's opening up play for the likes of Farrell and Bateman to make the big yards.

3 try’s for Sam Halsall so far today on dual reg at Newcastle. He’s another option we can call on at some point.

I am really liking Halsall think he has a big future.

Definitely. He's done well every time he's come into the team. Newcastle is good for him atm with the competition for places being as they are here, but I'd like to see him given some first team game time if possible this season too as I think we'll need him next year.

Agree with all of that,especially abut Byrne, who seems to have really come on, after looking 'least likely' last year. As for French/Field, as I've said before, I'm not sure where these NRL first-team berths for them are coming from. Look down the list of NRL full-backs: are Field and French better than any of them? Canberra maybe, although they have a talented youngster too. But there will be injuries down the line, and hopefully opportunities for those fringe players. Although some of us were talking about Shorrocks being the club's long-term 13 not long back, and that might still be the case, but right now, through no particular fault of his own, he's not even making people's proposed 17!

The turnaround from last season has been crazy, and credit to both the coaching staff and IL/KR for that. Those last two in particular have been much maligned in recent seasons and you could also say this year prior to the season start too. But they seem to have got it absolutely right from the appointment of Matty Peet, even though many were underwhelmed initially, bringing in Lee Briers and including the recruitment. Mago, Ellis and Cust wouldn't have been on most people's radar...they certainly weren't on mine... but they're looking to be shrewd acquisitions. Credit where it's due.

I think back to that comment by Shaun Wane that Byrne was a player who had plenty of improvement in him.

He knows a thing or two, does Waney!

Not according to LeBron/Wolves69/etc and if anyone knows best, it's definitely him/her/it!



I think Smithies has had a change of attitude too. There were a few niggles in the Leeds game that he would have responded to last season but on Friday he just got on with his rugby. Really good to see these younger players moving up a level in this way. It all shows what a change in culture can do and, again, that starts from the top down.

I’m really pleased so far with Byrne and Smithies.
Field quite rightly is getting all the accolades at the moment but those 2 young guys are also like having 2 new recruits because their starts to the season are light years ahead of the previous season.

Quoting my own post, but the Canberra talented youngster is Xavier Savage, and I'm watching him right now as they are playing the Roosters in a pre-season game. Harry Rushden is playing, and he just set up a lovely try.