Long and Martyn would be a great example of the "overlapping skillsets" that I'm referring to. Sure, each had they're strengths but both could kick, both offered a running threat etc. You can have predefined roles within a team without being limited by it.

Agree re Williams and think that is why Burgess went with Hayes over Drinkwater.

Once Hayes finds his feet he’s a natural half freeing up Williams to do what he is best at, run.

At the moment Williams is doing both roles and his impact is being reduced much in the same way as if we asked French would become less effective if we asked him to run our team.

To be honest, I don't think we're far off being in agreement, certainly regarding Farrimond's main strengths. I just don't think you can instantly write off a pairing based on what their main strengths are.

I do have to take issue regarding Edwards though. He was always a capable organizing half throughout the entirety of his career, not just at the end of it. He played scrum half many, many times for the great Wigan sides very successfully. Didn't he also Play for England, and England schoolboys before that, as a 7?

It’s slightly different but kind of emphasises the point.

I watch Trinity a lot and they run with Gale and Lino at 6 & 7. Both are half backs rather than 5/8ths.

Trinity are so dominant in the Championship particularly their pack and they normally play on the front foot but because they have 2 halves they are not hammering teams in the way they should be because both halves tend to do the same thing and get in each others way they don’t compliment each other because they are both natural organisers.

Wigan at the moment are Smiths team. He is the man, he may not get the plaudits of French but he’s the heartbeat of this team.

Luai is leaving Penrith because he now wants to run a team which he will never get the chance to do at Penrith….all be it the money is a big draw too in his case.

But isn't that due to those respective players skillsets being more clearly defined as NK points out? Williams has never been an effective organizing half and French has always been predominantly a runner. Long's abilities in either camp wasn't stifled by the existence of the other. Neither were many great halves. We could both rhyme off the Thurstons, Johns etc who had both without it impacting on either part of their game.

Now, I'm obviously not putting Farrimond in that company at this stage of his career but it certainly shows the principle.

My initial comment was in regard to who replaces Field now.

If we pair Farrimond as he is at this moment in time with Smith and run with French at 1 I think we will have issues and lose strike.

My point was I don’t think they work now or rather we have more effective ways of solving the issue.

For me Smith and French need to play 7 & 6.

We need to test other options over moving French to 1 before pairing Smith and Farrimond at the current time.

Don’t agree re Thurston he was a great organiser and could pick a pass. His running game not really a strength.

Johns had it all but again played his best when partnered with his brother who was a great foil for him at club level.

You're seriously suggesting this guy didn't post a running threat?

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You've just lost all credibility with that statement mate! You do realize that Thurston often played 6, don't you?

I agree for the most part but I do think you're underestimating Farrimond's running game. Obviously I've only limited experience of him myself but he seems to be a pretty rounded player from what I have seen. I guess we'll see going forward.

I’m saying his running game wasn’t his strength he was an organiser and a passer and those were the best part of his game.

I’m not sure why it matters what number he wore on his back in a split half system, something you have already mentioned!

Credibility? What you on about. Can’t people have a conversation/debate on a forum expressing opinions without trying to score points on “credibility”? What an odd thing to say.

Back on Thurston listen to most of the podcasts he is on particularly the Bloke in a Bar one (I think) and he discusses his strengths and weaknesses.

That’s the point, going forward….not for the next 8 weeks whilst Field is out.

Back to Field and French for that matter, anyone else think the club should say right lads we really need you two to do a proper pre-season ?