options - we need cover and Sam/MM combined give you that. MM can also do a job as a squad forward and Sam as half back cover. Sam will need a break at some point in the season!

FWIW, I think Escare has fitted in remarkably well and certainly gives us options along the line. he defended well too, and as a kicker I think he'll go fine (looks a natural striker of the ball, so its just practice, practice, practice!)

I would like Escare to get more of the ball and as you say when summer comes along I think his pace will become even more telling.
ST was for him pretty poor for the majority of last season and unless he finds his mojo can't see him displacing Escare particularly if his goal kicking continues to improve.
Escare could be a beltin signing for us and may just be what the doctor ordered if it means ST gets his act together.

I do think we'll see a much improved Sam Tomkins this year and he'll have to be. He's the ultimate competitor and I can see him ripping it up on his return. If not then he's in danger of not getting a game.

As for Escare it'll be interesting to see how he develops long term. He's got a one year deal currently and I'd already be prepared to extend it but ultimately I think the club will need to make sure he's settled in nicely and that he's happy. It must be difficult at times for him with him not being able to speak English and how he adapts to that could have a big bearing on his long term future.

It shows how poor th Catalan are when they drop a player like Escare when all he needed was a bit of confidence and defence coaching. He will be make a few mistakes but will be great for us.

I read a Catalan fan saying it looks like we've bulked him up and they thought that was positive as it's helping him defensively.


At Leigh he was pretty quiet and my expectations weren't huge but I watched the Catalans friendly and was blown away. He's pretty much been the polar opppsite of what I thought we were signing. I expected a defensively weak, support play machine who probably wouldn't be able to link play and I certainly didn't expect a kicking game. He's in fact been solid as a rock in defence, he's bringing others in to play and he's kicking very well.

I'm just glad that we look to be developing him nicely because it will also help France and the game could do with a strong French team.

The full game is on YouTube for anyone who wants to see it.

A year ago all was gloom and doom as McIlorum was injured. Now Sam Powell has been hooker in a Grand Final win and a WCC win. He regularly does 80 minutes which Micky rarely managed. I'd say Powell has cemented his place. Micky will need to do well to win back a starting jersey. Of course he can come off the bench and cover 13 as well so things are certainly looking bright. And from what I've seen Josh Ganson is going to be a hell of a player if he continues his improvement. I believe Waney really rates him.

Would it be unthinkable to have Micky Mac outside the starting team and struggling to find a way back in?

I think that's a little unfair on Sam and a bit revisionist. He didn't play until mid-May and it took him a while to get going but there were definitely some very good performances from him until he picked up another knock, and even his last game against Warrington he was excellent.

Competition is great though so hopefully Escare can keep his form going and it gives Wane some selection headaches in the future, same goes for Macca and Powell.

I've said in another thread I fully expect Sam to bang the door down this year and hit some form. I agree he had a good start but then he picked up a knock against Wakefield and his form went totally west and he had a run of poor form. Again I agree he then pulled a good performance out the bag in his final game against Wire before injury.

In regards to Escare though I stick by my comments that I feel he's generally been more impressive in the three full games I've seen him play (Catalans, Salford and Cronulla) then Sam was overall. It's obviously a very small sample size in comparison to the amount of games Sam played though and his form could go west as well.

All good options as you say which is exciting.

Going back to Powell I'd expect to see both him and MM when fit in the 17. We can't expect a hooker to play 80 mins every match throughout the season. With MM being able to play #13 it should be relatively easy to give them both decent minutes rotating them with SOL.

Another good problem to have but Joel Tomkins has already stated he's meant to be rotating with Lockers.

So many options!