You're right we don't have a lad from the 19's threatening 1,6,7 and 9. We just have a World Cup winner instead.

12 months ago perhaps. Not now. His first 2 years were poor but last year he was good and won the majority of fans over.

Regardless, he can still cover 1,6,7 and 9 comfortably.

He very average at best in all positions.
Probably one of your highest earners.
For a bits and pieces type of player?
Your having a laugh at our expense.
He adds nothing to SL but like many a bit player from the southern hemisphere takes out plenty.
I'd rather have a green 17 year old in the background rather than a grossly overpaid under performing guy who offers to play well in a multitude of positions but delivers in non.

I do find it fairly amusing the players being named to "play centre" and the tenuous links they have to it. In fact it's nothing short of ridiculous in some cases. The simple fact is we could pick up injuries to both our starting centres and replace them with 2 lads who have regularly and can be considered centres, it looks likely both potential back up centres will have been part of very successful trophy winning teams consistently playing in that position. If we pick up 3 injuries in the centre position we fall back to our youth players who in Gildart is a pretty strong position to be in.

Beyond that you can throw out all kinds of names.

Depth is not just about numbers it is about quality. You could argue Wire have a similar depth with 4 experienced centres but Atkins and Whealer in particular have a lot to prove, Ratchford is a very good player but if you play him at centre you lose his impact elsewhere, Bridge seems to be finding form again which I am pleased about as he is a player I really like to watch.

Chucking names in like Hohiah, Dawson and even throwing props in there is just a bit stupid. Sure they could move there if you pick up injuries during a game but you couldn't expect them to do a job week in week out in that position.

This thread shows how bored people can get during the off season. It's several pages of pure drivel, it's pointless, petty and nobody will ever win.

Bring on the start of the season so we have some rugby to talk about.

Haha. I love reading over-reactions on these forums. My comment was quite clearly a light-hearted response to Father Ted's comment.

The only part of your post I agree with is the final sentence.

We do actually have some young kids coming through in most positions and have awarded squad numbers to a few this year. We have young half back Dave Hewitt who has represented England and is very highly rated. We also have Matty Fozard who played hooker at Widnes last year on Easter Monday.

The difference is you probably won't have heard their names mentioned as Saints fans aren't claiming they are the best young players in the game just yet. We'll leave that to you lot

He is highly rated by the club, coaches and most fans who have seen him play that I have spoken to. I don't keep a tally of the 19's games I see I'm afraid otherwise I'd be happy to let you know. Saints fans have said he is one of the better young players at Saints. I've never read or heard anything along the lines of "best young half back in the game."

I'm glad you recognise Gildart is simply a very good prospect for now, and not the "best young centre in the game." That title would probably go to Sarginson with Percival after that.

As for Hohaia, it would all depend on length of contract and cost. At the moment he is on a large salary, too large for someone who will be a back up player. However he did play well last year and did win over the majority of fans. He will also be a useful squad player next year as he can cover a few different positions.

If he were to stay on for a year or two on a reduced contract then I think most Saints fans would be fine with that.

In what way has Atkins "a lot to prove"?

Atkins is a fully established Super League centre with international recognition. Gildart has never played Super League. Atkins is the one with something to prove, obviously.