a fullback who can actually catch and seems relaxed under a high ball. There's a rarity.
A good signing who I must admit has surprised me. ST will have to regain his pre NZ experience form to dislodge him. Great competition and hopefully bodes well

Well he looked OK tonight. Some good kicks which was his weakness when he was last here so that is one technical aspect that already looks better. And he has a running game with Smith doesn't so that already means teams can't just focus on Williams as the only threat in that regard. He also tackles as hard as Micky Mac. So regardless of what you think of him "technically", he improves our team.

The difference to smith is quite stark.
Even on a night with awful conditions our play is infinitely better than the majority of last last year and for me TL is a major player in this.
Smith was solid and honest but woeful in terms of flair and TL for his replacement is far far better than Smith's painful attempts at playmaker.

I feel sorry for Smith at Saints. KFC has said if they would have had a senior half back they would have beaten Wakey. No pressure there then when he returns. He is not that the sort of player to lead the side around the pitch or pin your hopes on. He has other attributes but I think Saints will need more than Matty and KFC ought to know that.

I think he improves the team overall, but he can't control a game. Some of his choices are bad. Just like in his last stint at SH.

His "last stint at SH"??? What are you talking about?

Scrum Half presumably

You really cant be serious Leuluai has been a big improvement from last year, his defence is also great

Yeah he's a much better player than Smith.

Hopefully when Tomkins comes back he can go in the halves alongside Williams and Leuluai can spell Powell.

We'll have McIlorum back by then. Looking at injuries, it's more likely Escare will move to wing when Sam returns.

Leuluai has been steady so far for us. He doesn't look as explosive as in his past spell but he is a good foil for Williams.

Will we? I thought he was out long term?

Sam and McIlorum are due back around the same time (mid/late April) according to Wane the other day.

Hypothetically, If we ever had a full strength, fully fit squad to choose from, Sam, Mickey and Dom would all be in the starting line up. It's their place to lose and they've earned their place by performing constantly well before they became injured. (Sam has been injured since his return from NZ).
Escare, Powell and Tierney however well they're playing are cover players and are putting great pressure on the others to perform well when they do come back.
If Sam, Mickey and Dom fail to hit great form and quickly then these 3 are chomping at their heels to get back in. It's a great problem for the coaches to have!

I was at the sponsors table on Friday and wanted to pick Escare for man of the match. Unfortunately I was told that wouldnt be a good idea as he would have to be interviewed and he still cant speak much English!

George Williams was probably the right choice anyway as he was responsible for all three tries but I was just so impressed with the maturity of Morgan's performance. Rock solid at the back, real calming influence and a great kicking game.