I thought the same but this game showed the best option is Smith and Farrimond with French at 1 for me.

Who should play fullback if not French?

Also I thought Hampshire was a lot better in this game taking on Smith's role. Unfortunately that's not really what we need atm.

Forber himself is injured. A shame for the lad because he may have got a run if Leeming is out for any length of time.

To be fair it is not easy when you are in and out of the side. He has little chance to develop his understanding with his teammates.

I can’t see Leeming being back any time soon. Wardle I think was more precautionary. It looks like O’Neill will have to do long minutes and we will run with four forwards on the bench. Cooper will come back for the big games, it looks as though Peet is managing his game time carefully.

Eckersley for me.

I seem to remember Rocky has had a few spells as hooker at Cas - he could take Leeming's place on the bench, and be a similar type of player able to inject a bit of pace at dummy half. Closest like for like swap we have.

Then its a decision on FB and No 6 . Do we keep Eckersley in the team and move him to FB or keep him at Centre , and Adam goes to FB, or keep French at FB and put Farrimond in at 6 - he looks to be able to take a similar running threat and has a short kicking option too close to the line similar to Bevan leaving the organisation to Harry .

I'm favouring putting Farrimond in at 6 as it's the closet like for like with Field and French offering threats at both FB and 6.

Hopefully Wardle will be fine by the time Leigh comes around then it's Eckersley at fb for me if not, French at fb and a decision to be made at 6 between Farrimond and Hampshire

Farrimond all day long,should be a interesting few weeks.

Agree. I [ido[/i think there's a more than decent player in there somewhere. Just needs more consistency (& maybe game time) as well as showing willing.

There probably is but he is now keeping a youngster out of the team so this should be his last season

Now fully fit! should start winning games now

Eckersley looks class and has pace to burn, I'd certainly be playing him in the centre and trying Keighran at 6. We really are blessed at centre at the moment.

Peet seems intent on sticking with Hampshire though (Rocky must have some dirt on him!) despite a very poor first half, knocking on a few times, missing a couple of tackles and jumping the line

I don't think he'll be afraid to drop him if needed. He's been playing an 18 year old kid over him in the halves for weeks now and coming up with every combination possible not to play him. I'd give him the first half of the Leigh game and see how he goes but revert to what you say if it's not working. In fairness to Peet, I think he wanted Eckersley held back last night to give Field that time off at fullback, so there's no saying he doesn't fancy Keighran at stand off anyway. He's shaping up nicely Eckersley though and longer term, I think he can really press for a starting spot. I doubt he'd have any issues with playing on the wing, so both Miski and Keighran could come under threat at some point. There will likely come a time when Peet will need to make a brave call (probably next season though).

Interesting that Jon Wells on commentary last night described Eckersley as being quick but "not got the out and out pace of a Jai Field or a Bevan French" I'm not sure this is true. Zach has a background in athletics and was running 11.3 for the 100m at the age of 15 which is some serious wheels. I think he may well be putting pressure on Miski or Keighran soon in a bid to have him on the field every week as a backline with Bevan, Field, Marshall and Wardle plus Zach would be one of the quickest in the club's history

I reckon he'd beat French pretty easily over 100m but probably not over 10m. He reminds me of Rads in pace terms (and being ginger). I think he'd give Field a run for his money currently over 100m but Field does look like he's not at top speed with a few niggles. Over this next 12 months I expect him to really push Miski and Keighran hard for a spot. I think Miski in particular could be vulnerable because pace is so important and he isn't the quickest winger in the world. It's if you could afford to lose his work from our own end that'll be the question. If Eckersley can show that sort of commitment to taking the hard carries, I think he's got every chance of pushing ahead in the pecking order.