Me too. Ashurst at the end of his career and should really be interchange or cover, Batch with a one year deal to impress for more. Long term you’d have to go with him as I think he’s a great player to build around for the next 5-6 seasons

Agree too tbh. Kalepi and Pitts for me are the two guaranteed starters if fit in SR.

Nah, for me Pitts has matured into the ideal LF

Kelepi and anyone from Ashurst, Batch, Crowther and so on.

I don’t disagree that Pitts could be a great LF but there’s an element of risk moving him from his experienced position of right SR where he’s been excellent.

We certainly do have the quality to at least try him there with the players you have listed.

I guess that’s what pre season games will be for.

If Pitts is to play LF then it will be tough for Crowther/Walker/O’Donnovan to push their way in this year other than interchange but Pitts is a full 80 player.

I’m happy with the squad reading it down the list. I would prefer another utility to back to cover full back and Halves (Hampshire would be ideal to complete squad) but if we run with what we have we will go fine unless we get a couple of injuries in the halfs/ backs but we will have to see.

Didn't Pitts play 13 at London?
I may have made that up though.

Wouldn't you say Crowther had already pushed his way in, he's no rookie anymore with 70 SL games under his belt, he is an S/R despite playing almost anywhere asked? So I wouldn't class him with those players but with Batchelor and Ashurst, with Kelepi a class above. That's a fair few options before worrying about Pitts playing LF IMHO.

Yes.

He's done it all tbf but last year for me his game awareness, especially in defence, went dramatically upwards. He became a footballing forward, which to me is always been the role of an LF, a link between the pack and the halves.

Loved the way that he came in on the angle and then clattered someone.

That is the risk though. He improved that right edge.

He did, but he's still the best player to replace Westerman IMHO.

A lot I suppose depends on Ashurst regaining his form and Tanginoa and or Batch/Crowther making the right edge their own.

Put it this way. Crowther will probably end up as a L/F but he's not yet as good a player as Pitts IMO, so it should be easier to get Crowther playing well in the SR than landing him with the job of L/F.

It's all swings and roundabouts and at the moment we can't afford too many options, so to me it's the best use of players but it's all very marginal.

As you say we'll find out in Preseason.

Only once, he predominantly played second row as he has for us and also play half a dozen games at stand off.

He did however play the majority of his rugby for Hull FC and Bradford from loose forward.