Uele and Rodwell really make a difference when they come on.

I noticed that...on the face of it they're outperforming the two starting props, but I suspect that's because they're coming on against the opposition replacements when in reality those two would make the starting line up of any other team in the competition (and a few SL sides!).

Spot on. You don't have to start your best two props do you, just maximise their assets. You get the feeling Rodwell could play 80 but doesn't need to. And as a player seeing Uele come off the back fence after 25 minutes would be horrible.

We knew what we were getting with Olpherts and he's proving it. In his best season at Cas he was in the top 5 in all of SL for metres made. But his hands aren't the best (yes, he took everything at Odsal, fair play to him), and his inside shoulder is a bit soft. Nice the have the option though isn't it - IMO McGillvary should start every game, then we play Walmsley whenever we know we can play expansively (pretty much every game), and put Olpherts in again physically big teams on small, wet pitches to get us out of trouble but rarely get exposed on a thin pitch.

Rodwell is an absolute workhorse, taking 2 drives a set and just fights for every metre, he just doesn't go away I think will go very well in SL.

Looking at Uele's stats it's actually surprising how much he gets through, I have been impressed that he punches holes in the line almost every time he takes the ball up, but with that type of player you usually see them not getting though as much, it just goes to show the stuff that coaches really value sometimes isn't picked up when watching the game.

These 2 are players I have no doubt will be effective in SL, and I imagine they will only get better as they settle and get used to the game over here.

To me those stats show how valuable Bowden is. He's less spectacular than the others but his work rate is easily the highest and is always good quality.
He is the one that leads the pack in my opinion.

That`s an interesting take PT, how do you get to the fact Bowden`s work rate is easily the highest?

Just looking at the last 6 games the front rowers have played in;

Bowden
Carries - 54
Metres - 496
PC metres - 162
Tackles - 98

Rodwell
Carries - 69
Metres - 643
PC metres - 213
Tackles - 146

Uele
Carries - 65
Metres - 649
PC metres - 255
Tackles - 118

Atoni
Carries - 61
Metres - 589
PC metres - 210
Tackles - 109

I'd add Vagana to those as well who will just get better as the season goes on. It's a shame though he got injured when he did especially as he looked like he was getting into his stride after coming in so late. Looking at his stats compared to the others, they stack up pretty well. He seems to average about 9 meters a carry and makes good past contact meters and when needed he can get through the tackles.

His stats in the games he played before the injury are-
Carries 47 metres 459 Post Contact 169 Tackles 143

Its The post contact meters stat that shows how effective these guys are and the effect it has on oppositions defence/energy levels, but as you say Bowden is ranked at best 4th, but still pretty good stats

I think you have to take into account what has already been mentioned. Roof/JB are up against our opponents 1st choice props, as well as the other middles. When Rodders & The Big U come on, they are up against different props - but - crucially - other middles who have been on since the start - so that may account for the higher numbers.
I do agree that Josh has been a bit of an unsung hero too.

But how do the stats show that Bowden is 'easily the highest' when it comes to work rate? Even taking into account your comments which Im not sure have that much relevance as opposition also use interchange forwards, usually within the same few minutes. By the way Atoni starts aswell, look at his stats.

I think all of the stats are brilliant, I'm just not sure how we have a front runner in Bowdens work rate being easily the highest in the team.

Don't think i said that....
I think that other than the props that rotate at the same time the other middles are the same - so are more fatigued for when the props have been rotated.

Our interchange forwards are of the same high quality (arguably) as the starting forwards. I've not seen a championship side yet that has that luxury.

Uele has a real engine on him for a player who plays with high intensity, same with Rodwell. Atoni and Bowden all playing well too.

It’s a sign of players enjoying their rugby to me and having the right mentality to work hard on and off the pitch and roll their sleeves up during the game.

The core of a successful team for years to come is there and young and old, starting or rotating they’re all playing a part.

It'd be interesting to see those stats alongside the minutes each person played.

Because you are not showing the stats on the link I was referring to.