IMHO Annakin would make an ideal 80 minute loose forward as he is more of an attacking threat than Washbrook, is bigger, decent pair of hands and appears to have some pace. He can also tackle as Gareth Carvell found out last season.

If we ended up having some injuries it'd be good to see him have a run of games there.

I agree, but I also thought that last year and he unfortunately missed his opportunity at the beginning of the year.
I like Washbrook so it's not like I'm wanting to push him out but Annakin has lots of potential and I like what he does when he comes on the field.

It's only an observation from the terrace but Washbrook appears to be a senior player with some maturity in his game and I think that is a lot of the reason why Agar and Webster both like to play him.
For Annakin to really kick on, he needs to develop a position in the team, not only in the sence of prop, SR or loose, but also as a character and a leader in the team. He's young so he isn't going to take over, but he needs a more dominant personal character to stand up with the likes of Scruton, Ali, Kirmond and be regarded as a regular first team player.

Kirke only played in the Leeds game and got injured.

Simon looks OK and is actually a prop.

I know people want to see Anakin succeed and I get it - but I think people are seeing things that really are not there IMHO

People have been speculating on Anakins position for years, and that's his biggest problem.

He has all the things you say but that doesn't mean he's a better LF than Washbrook or even a LF at all. Washbrook is proven in that position and despite a blip in his career under Agar he has recovered well and ended last season on a high and has looked good at 13 in the last 2 games. Anakin has not played 13 at this level and even at academy level was mainly SR.

He's a possibility for the future maybe but nowhere near Wasbrook at the moment IMHO. Leave him as a SR squad player for now.

Nowhere near Washbrook? Give over, for two seasons now Washbrook has offered nothing apart from been a workhorse in defence. For me Dan Smith should take that role now.

I have a feeling Webster will be rotating the forwards throughout the season, we definitely have enough depth in that area.

Where is your evidence, neither Smith or Anakin have played at LF so how can you make such a bold statement. As for your opinion on Washbrook, well it's an opinion but clearly not one shared by our coach who I suspect is far more qualified to make the call.

I remain baffled.

Where did I mention in that Anakin should play LF? With regards to Dan Smith he's played a lot of his junior career at 13 and front row, including at Souths 20s - Not at SL level I know, but he never will if he's never given the chance to.

I'm just going on what I watch week in week out, and that is that Washbrook offers very little in attack (In my opinion) and that's just my opinion, I'm not demanding that Webster takes him out the team, but to say Dan Smith is nowhere near him is a bit of an exaggeration for me.

Fair point Anakin.

Smith for me is a prop, he's very buig for a LF and I'm yet to see the ball handling skills - hence I'll stick with Wasbrook - don't disagree that he's good shout should Washbroook lose form or get injured.

In addition I really don't think you need experience as such to play at loose forward. I think in the modern game its a bit of a free role. I.e. whatever the coach wants to make that, or whatever fits into the game plan whether that be an extra prop forward, Grix at Warrington? An extra playmaker on the pitch, Sinfield at Leeds? or even a wide running threat? Gaz Hock at Salford?

The comparison between Washbrook and Anakin is a valid one.
But I think the comparison should be that both are OOC at the end of the season and who would you give the extension to?
A 'steady eddy', or one of our own?
If we don't use Anakin we will lose another one come the end of the season.

I think whatever happens Annakin will get a real good chance this year to at least nail down a position and show how good he is. Due to the squad size, other players form, injuries and no doubt a bit of rotation he's bound to get a fair number of games under his belt. I personally see him achieving more at 2nd row or as some suggest at Loose than at Prop and as the poster above says he's OOC at the end of the season so we need to know one way or the other.

If you cast your minds back two seasons ago Annakin came into a struggling team, was played out of position at prop and was a raw academy talent. Over the course of that season he was outstanding, earning praise from all quarters. How can we possibly know what the lad is capable of until he's given a good run in his preferred position at Loose Forward. He carries hard, he can offload and he tackles hard!! He needs to be getting far more game time this year, this is not to say drop Washbrook, merely rotate the players around a bit and manage them better. Dont ship the lad out on dual reg to Batley and lose his services at the end of the year.

When was LF his favoured position, everything I find says SR - however I get the rest of your point.

I'd like to see more of him this season - he's always showed promise when he's had a chance, but doesn't seem to have had enough of them to really show what he's made of.

Personally, I like his style - he's got a Paul Gallen-esque physique (as wide as is he is tall) and loads of bottle, and that makes for a particularly hurtful tackle technique - in low and driving upwards, into the ribs/ball carrying area.

Yep and just hope that if someone is not pulling their weight or off form, it opens the door for another player to come in and then it's up to them to keep it.