I thought he had a good solid game, unspectacular but tackled everything and didn't go missing.
If his back troubles are truly behind him he's going to be a key component of the engine room.

I’d agree with that. Age limits all players but the best adapt and I think Matty can do.

100% commitment every game about time people realised this nothing flash but does what is asked of him

Who are these ‘people’. I have been using this board for years and not seen a single post doubting Ashurst’s commitment to the club on the pitch. Quite the opposite in fact.

Ok yeah maybe commitment was the wrong word to choose but there was a lot last year on here saying he shouldn't play he's not good enough and all that crap maybe doesn't break the line as much as he used to but his defence is always top notch you very rarely see him miss a tackle had a good start to this season let's hope he continues the form he's shown so far

I think everybody knows Ashurst has effort and commitment in spades. There was a period in 2021/2020 that he wasn’t performing to the same standard we had seen previous seasons. Defensively Ashurst has always been very good, he just seemed to go through a rocky period of running poor inside lines nonfat other things. Maybe it was down to his back injury etc who knows. I think the criticism against Ashurst is because we have seen how good a player he can be and want to see that player again.

This season he has started off pretty good Id say so far. We need players like Ashurst, Pitts, Battye etc finding their best form. If they can find that I’m sure we will see the benefits on the pitch.

Batchelor for me looks the standout in the forwards and I really hope we are looking to extend his deal beyond this season and make him our starting right second row for 2023 and beyond. He’s been excellent this year.

We've got people moaning this year too saying he doesn't deserve his contract.

Have we? Where?

It’s not the awarding of another contract but the fact it was for two years. I like many others believe at his age and injury record one would have been more prudent giving two years to Batchelor who we were willing to let go.

Perhaps there was a balancing act involved?

This is the sort of thing that goes on that none of us are really privy to?

Perhaps Ashurst wasn't willing to do just one year but wanted two, reasonable enough. So perhaps we did a split the difference and offered him two years at a lower rate. It will have suited him for security as he heads towards retirement and allowed us to spread the cost of a player over two years and thus reduce the wage bill and allow us to use him more sparingly should injuries hit.

I don't know any of this in his case but I do it happens.

You clearly know more than me but I'm pretty sure we are not wanting Batch to leave.
Maybe Batch wanted a one.
Maybe Ashurst took less to stay for 2.
Maybe the coach has a good idea that his value to the team is more than just his age.

Lol. Beat me to it Vasty