Seems to me .like for most of the season we've been saying, what can you expect from halves playing behind a beaten pack, but that refrain doesn't really hold true for the last two games, does it, where we have had plenty of field position. What threat do we pose when we get to or opponents' 20? Not much. Smith put in a couple of accurate kicks, and we got a few set-restarts, but it didn't amount to much. We don't scare opposing defences. i'm not convinced Smith is any better than Hampshire, say, right now, but it's certainly true that he has had an unrealistic burden.

We don't pose any threat from two of our three starting halves from tonight's team but Smith at least does on occasion. With our best half at full back and without our main cutting edge French out the back we are seeing our issues highlighted. The pack was decent tonight but have not been for most of the season. The sharpness of our plays will take some time to cluck. Now we have a platform to play behind I'm hoping Field, Bateman, Zak and Gildart and Marshall getting game time will help a little over next few weeks. You may then see Smith find life a little easier than it's been in a team without backs and a beaten pack.

Lam has completely wasted a year of Smith's development by not playing him alongside Hastings

Tommy was a passenger in that game last night. Literally watching the ball go by. There was a few times I clocked him just strutting round watching Hastings run laterally. He did nothing, offered nothing and looked like he couldn’t be bothered in all honesty. He wasn’t in control of that game in any way whatsoever. To be blunt I don’t know who was.

I think you’re being harsh on Smith, whilst I can see where you’re coming from and you make some good points, there’s far too many other circumstances preventing him being the half he can be. The grand master of them all is one Adrian Lam.

Is it surprising that Smith is not doing well at the moment when we have a pack not dominating the forward battle and Leulaui not performing as he should do.?

Leulaui "having" to play is as far as I am concerned is the reason why Hastings has been playing full back and Smith not playing well for the reasons I have stated.

You have hit the nail on the head with what you have said about who should pay where!

12m from Smith last night. TL 47m.

Powell 11m.

Big issue when you are relying on your fullback out of the spine players to make all your yards.

Smith and Powell in particular simply not challenging the defence with their running game.

I’ll cut Smith a bit of slack because of his inexperience, even though he’s all over the show with his passing and decision-making. Powell though, I’ve never rated as a 9. He may as well stick 13 on his back and take a few drives in as a ‘middle’ for all his attacking threat.

I thought Powell was outstanding last year. Mixed his game up very nicely and looked to be one of the success stories under Lam.

This year though he’s a major part of why we are unable to break down defences.

Sadly correct. I’m not a Powell knocker by any stretch, I think he’s a good player but he’s way off this season. He looks fatigued to me and I can’t help wonder if he’s playing injured. Even in just 3 or 4 minutes and two carries, Amir Bourouh offered more of a threat with the ball. It’s another area of the field Lam refuses to see what’s in front of his face. A rest for Powell, be that during games or by sitting the odd one out, is something we can do with the two young hookers we have and Leuluai capable of playing in there but Lam seems to love to push forwards to breaking point, like it’s some sort of iron man competition he’s running.

It's unbelievable that Powell came through the academy as a half. He looks like he's had all skill coached out of him; can barely run with the ball, can't beat players, average kicking game. Just a tackling machine like someone already said.

I think he is about to sign a new contract but to be honest I would let him go if we can sign a decent, experienced hooker who can play 50-60mins and allow O'Neil/Bourouh to come through.

Smith has loads of potential but he’s not ready to be our first choice half back. I fear he’ll get the job and that Hastings won’t be replaced next year which I find very concerning.
Tommy is our captain and still leads us around the park. I can’t see him being dropped.
Powell is just awful when we have possession. Always has been. He was absolutely educated last night by a proper 9 and I too would be happy to see him replaced. O’Neill already looks to offer more speed and accuracy from the play the ball and isn’t scared to run it.

I agree with you but it may be that he will never make the step up,the ridiculous expectation heaped on him has done far more harm than good for my money,his game is basic at best and he’s not doing that well either,any other coach would take him out of the firing line e yet Lam carries on it madness.

The player we hope he could be can still emerge I’m sure but I do think it’s time to lower expectations of him if nothing else for the lads sake,sport is littered with the “next big thing”let’s hope Smith doesn’t join that club

For once Ruddy we are in complete agreement

Harry Smith is a great talent, he’s got a bit of tough about him. Like a Nathan Wood or Goulding. Not saying his up there yet but he’s gritty.

I feel like we need to stick with Smith through this rough patch. I can absolutely see him going elsewhere and making us regret it if we drop him. Kind of like Kevin Brown to an extent. More to the point it's probably too late to plan for anything other than him starting at 7 next year.