The best impact player we’ve had for a while at the Wire, he’s improved steadily over the course of the last two seasons and it’s great to see a local lad doing so well. He punches holes in the line, has remarkable footwork and majority of the time gets a very quick play the ball. It wouldn’t surprise me too see him in the GB squad at the end of the season IF his form continues, alongside the likes of Ratchford, Clarke, Hill et al.

Someone said that we miss Flower when he doesn't play. That is undoubtedly true. What is also true is that it happens far too often.

Lockers may have earned his 'now and then' status. But Ben hasn't.

We need props whose bodies are up to the rigours of the game.

So you wouldn't have Jackson Hastings in either?

Flower is a good prop. He makes yards after impact and when he doesn’t, most of the time he’ll land on his belly to make a quick play the ball. He doesn’t take a backward step and is a good tackler. Not every player are going to be awesome, or we’d have noooo salary space. I think as a prop, he does well and what he’s employed to do - WHEN HE PLAYS!

No he's not British.

Your quote " i dont know another front rower with the handling and passing skills like Burke has." forgive me if I ignore your opinion of other players after that gem!

To be fair, Burke's a very skilful player for a front rower. Not a top drawer all-round player by any stretch, but he's an accomplished ball player.

He’s been immense for us this year. Carried our pack on his own.
No other GB prop is anywhere near him in terms of MoS points or the key Opta stats for a prop.
He’s also managed to keep his temper in check.

Are penalties not a key opta stat? Every year he's up near the worst

The amount of time you spend on here is literally unbelievable.

Maybe nottinghamtiger finds us more civil than those on a Cas board?

I know Ben quite well and there is nobody can ever question his attitude. He’s been at the club for 8 years and has been a cracking professional. It’s only the last couple that he’s had injuries. He can’t help snapping an Achilles and couldn’t help being close to paralysis with his back injury. He’s put his hand up to play when he shouldn’t have done and works tirelessly in the community. So you’re perfectly entitled not to rate him as a player but if you’re going to question his attitude then that needs to be backed up with evidence. I’ll now sit back and wait for your list of 30 props of his standard.

His name is....the most common name in Britain is Mohammed.

Since you’re mentioning evidence Red please provide such re Flower’s risk of paralysis. Or was it just a back spasm as reported?

He was hospitalised for 3 days and couldn’t move. Dr said he was very lucky and the damaged nerves (not back spasm) were very close to the spinal chord and fortunately there was no damage to any vertebrae. Ben said it was far more painful than when he snapped his Achilles and was the worst injury he’s had. He’s up and about now and has just started to walk his pup.