Quote jonh="jonh"Holland and Howarth, not heard much on these, what positions do they play?'"
Holland is a prop. When he first came to the club I was not very impressed. IMO he was one of the big if not biggest improvers in 2008. At first he was simply noted for putting on bigs hits and soon became exhausted and replaced. Not sure where the lack of heart comment came from but he always struck me as somebody who would put his body on the line from day 1. In 2008 his running the ball improved.
I like his build. I have always believed the best prop appear thick set, that their body is deeper than the norm. Lazarus, Webcke, Skerret, Platt. I have always preferred that build to the tall rangy prop. Holland is not as thick as those guys in build but he does have the inklings of that build about him and is 6ft I am guessing maybe 6ft 1 or 2. He hits in defence with everything but what some fans do not realise is that big hits use a lot of energy. His running still needs to develop and as yet he has no offloading game.
If he goes further he will become a Mr 100% consistent bookend type of prop. Not flash but a guy that does the hard yards.
Howarth came as a utility player. He played back row and centre mainly. He looked to be one of those youngsters who had good all round skills but nothing physical / athletic to take him to the next level. I do not believe he has the pace/evasion to be a SL outside back nor the size/strength to be a SL back row forward. Last season he often played 6 to Sam T but in fact Howarth was often first receiver and he has a good pass. Later and when I became impressed was a stint he had at hooker. His quality passing, brain as to when to let the pass go close to the opposition line really stood out. His defence was decent and he has a good kicking game. For me his potential is as a well skilled but slow stand off / loose forward in the NL or as a hooker at any level.
