To be honest thought he played loose forward for England in the international but might be mistaken

Don’t you start

Generally used as a middle these days much in the same way Peacock and Morley transitioned.

He can play secondrow but for last 2 possibly 3 seasons he has mainly been used as a middle unless there have been injuries in the secondrow. He went to Catalans as a specialist secondrow but was fairly disappointing.

They transitioned him to Prop/middle in 2022 and he was much better getting his England squad place back after not being selected in 2021.

Exactly this.

I do not think he'll have been played 2nd row in the last few seasons through coaches choice. He will have done a good job at filling in when needed.

I just cannot see him being an option for the 2nd row for us unless injuries dictate the same.

Let's be honest it's a nice debate to be having about an England international player who is joining us isn't it.

He’s definitely played SR including this season, I’ve seen him do it. You’ve made a good point, no need to exaggerate.

I think he's more of a full back ??

https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/play ... tions.html

https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/play ... tions.html

This is the most recent games. Seems pretty even between prop and second row but he looks every part a full back.

If you look at the pack Powell is assembling, a fair few of them are have played or are capable of playing front or back row.

Rodwell, McMeeken, Bain, Storton, Vagana have all played both at some point. Only Atoni and Uele look out and out props. Having said, I think McMeeken will have been signed with intention of playing prop, but he'll be equally good if we do need to drop him back at any point.

The problem with playing a prop at second row is mobility. Whether someone CAN play both doesn't mean they should.

SR is vital for edge defense. Tanginoa is a good example of a big guy playing wide. He's great in attack and great in defense when someone runs at him but when the line is stretched the gap between him and centre is too great and leaves them vulnerable.
Prop hooker and 13 are all middle defenders doing the same job in defense.
SR is very different.

All the way back ??

Seems to be the trend now to run with mainly middles and only 1 or at most 2 specialist out and out props.

I think the rule changes in recent years have played a major part in that along with the death of ball handling 13s as the ball handling duties have shifted more to the fullback.

Running with 4 ball handlers on the pitch is a real challenge to keep them all effective.

I like the look of Catalans second rower tonight

I prefer him at prop