Anyone get the feeling his dad fancied the riches being a footballer brings?!

Seems a really nice kid. I loved the Wilkin interview with him after the last round. I really hope he’s back involved tomorrow, I think we need his size and power.

Just no with the reason for throwing Mago in instead of Hill. We are so, so poor at blooding young forwards. To have half a chance as a 19 year old prop, he needs game time in a stronger pack rather than just filling in for injuries. Look at the rotations the likes of Jamie Peacock, Stuart Fielden, James Graham, Sam Burgess, Oledszki were introduced into. A huge part of their developments was being given game time within strong packs. Our if needs must approach is all wrong.

You saying you’re playing Hill then?

I’d just be a bit worried about there being no Powell, so you’ve got O’Neill, Nsemba and possibly Hill all in the same side. It feels a bit inexperienced against Wires pack to me but I can’t say I’m desperate to see Mago. I’d just edge towards Mago over Hill based on size/experience but my faith in him is as low as it’s been at any point.

Didn't Peacock start out as a SR?

Hill in our pack as it is feels desperate. I'd understand having him as 4th choice behind 3 quality props (As 4th behind Walmsley, Paasi and Lees for example) but with the run of form we've had and the injuries etc I'm not sure.

I've seen enough in Hill's attitude alone to have him in before Mago. At Saints he was better than Mago and at least had a proper go. Already I see Hill as less of a liability in defence too. Have we seen a single Mago performance since he came over where he really took it to the opposition? I just don't think he brings anything that Hill doesn't...maybe 1 or 2 big drives maximum a game, but very lazy defence.

As you say faith in him to step up dwindles very game...he's had enough chances for me. I think both for tomorrow & benefits in the long term it has to be Hill.

It’s a sign of just how poor a signing Mago has been that we’d even debate putting a 19 year old prop in ahead of him, at the same time as potentially having a 20 year old hooker and a 19 year old second rower. We need to buck the trend of the past 10-15 years and sign better props in the next off season.

He did, and Burgess did also (I think?). Either way, they went into packs that were something like, not just thrown in when there was injuries.

I'm convinced we're no worse with Hill instead of Mago, with the potential for him to go well. Mago's ambling runs and upright wrestles play right into Wires hands. That's easy work for their big lads.

I could certainly be sold. I thought Hill played well at Saints and Mago was Mago. I read some talk that a team or two are interested in Mago for this season. If we could get a good replacement, it could really aid our chances of achieving anything.

Just picking up this thread, last time Mago had any impact was Wakefield away in in last years QF!!!!

Its a tough one for Peet and Lam was criticised for throwing in Byrne/Havard/Parto but 2 of the three have worked out (Parto a near miss?)

The best way has been mentioned, play young forwards in a strong pack and don't wait until you have to throw them in.
Our recent way of playing also means we need 4 forwards on the bench, otherwise we get steamrolled and it limits other options. Hill is a very good prospect, with good hands and rugby instincts but a bit on the small side yet. There are a couple of bigger props in the Reserves who might be suited to promotion right now.

Well, yes, this. I think Hill is well worth persisting with, but we need better props. Where were we when Paasi, say, became available? And watching Saints today, it did strike me, what if we had two back-rowers like Sironen and Batchelor?

In attach we're really missing a forward with a passing game. I thought Shorrocks would fill that role but haven't really seen it .

Our pivots are far to easily picked out by an aggressive defence and having a ball playing forward can expose the gaps a rushing defender can make. Our offloading has dropped off a cliff too, when was the last time French or Field were put into a gap up the middle of the field.

We have far too little variety in attack, hence the reason we seem to score the majority of our tries out wide. So easy to ready with an aggressive discipline defence.

A big 2nd rower straightening up the line or some smart passing up the middle with players on the shoulder would make a big difference.

Problem is we are too similar in all our pack, all our props are of the 'grind' variety, Mago who we thought was the point of difference has become the polar opposite of an impact player. Almost 'slow motion grind' , 2nd rows and Loose are small, no impact players. I think we need Nsemba in there and we need to trust him to do a job and play to his strengths, something I feel Peet finds it hard to do with the younger players. Why save Hill's 2nd stint until 5 mins from the end last week - absolutely ;pointless, same with Nsemba's early games coming on for the last 5 minutes.

We need some variety to take the pressure off everything coming through Smith, French's no look passes and Field.

The bench we’ve named is as weak as I’ve seen. Hopefully we’ll be out of sight before any interchanges

Absolute prat

I think that kind of behaviour should see us send Ellis home as well as Mago. Not the first time he’s been a melon.

Well done to the pack stepping up though. It’s a limited game plan that we’ve needed to do after the last few games.