The DR deal with Wigan is ideal for covering areas where we lack depth, and I agree with most that FB is an obvious one.

DR is an excellent vehicle if used correctly. Like everyone else I'd like to see our own youth given the chance, but there will be occasions where that simply isn't possible. This deal with Wigan may prove to be vital imo.

"1st grade", well yes, but in the 4th tier of Australian rugby league.

In any case, Walmsley's specific skillset is based around his finishing on the wing - he's an exceptional finisher with a real nose for the tryline out wide and also a knack for long-range interception tries. He was runaway leading Championship tryscorer last year in a fairly average Halifax team and should do so again, perhaps by an even wider margin, in what should be a much stronger team this year. He can be a bit feeble defensively but that shouldn't be tested too much this season.

Agreed, his skill set is fairly limited however his pace can get him out of trouble.

His weakness is his defence but I’m hoping in a full time environment that will improve.

It’s his passing game that limits him in my opinion. The fullback is a very creative player in the modern game and their ability to pick the right pass is crucial.

He doesn’t have that in his game, or rather in my opinion he doesn’t and we will utilise him to his strengths which is his athleticism.

I assume he'll be first choice but if the 'defensive issues' mentioned above bother Powell he can put Franco in. He's strong defensively.

Yes, but he can't catch the bomb or handle grubber kicks to save his life. I don't want to judge a player on one game,so maybe it was a one off, but it was a bad stint. Sorry can't remember the games, and tbf his head had gone and perhaps a more experienced coach might have put him back on the wing, and put Kay at FB.

As for Walmsley at FB, he's better on the wing because that fundamentally what he is and he's very good at it, but I don't agree with Jonh, he looks more than capable to me, and Fax fans don't seem to have any issue with his defence.

We seem to have an obsession on this forum for branding our backs as poor defender. FWIW, backs tend to look far better in defence when the forwards are doing their jobs, it's been a while since ours have.

Saints at home I think, literally every score was a gift.

I was answering the discussion of Walmsely as a winger, so I was saying if Powell doesn't like him he can play Franco.....on the wing.

Defensively on the wing he is capable, it’s his defence at fullback along with his creative play from that position which is the issue when I’ve seen him utilised there.

That’s the one. I like Franco but I don’t think I’ve seen a Trinity player make that many errors in a season let alone a game. I live in hope that he just wanted to get rid of them in one game

Ok

I may be of the minority as a lot seem to rate him but Franco hasn’t proved anything imo yet.

He had a solid first game on the wing but had a terrible game after. He wasn’t very effective at centre either. I won’t be too harsh on him but he looks like he’s a winger.

Franco will easily start behind McGillvray and Walmsley. He has a lot to prove and I hope he does if he gets a shot.

I’ll cheer him on though. Really hope he has a good season along with the rest of the team.

In fairness he was messed around with. Started as a winger and did great, then ends up at centre and FB, hardly ideal. But I agree, probably back up.

Probably hasn’t had the opportunity yet to show what he’s capable of over a few games. He was messed around a bit.

Tbf the same can be said about a lot of players last year. Clean slate for me with him. He’s now got superior coaching and all the backing to be the best he can be. See how he gets on

I'm not convinced Franco is good enough for SL, but I would have been happy to have him as first choice winger in the Championship. Fact that he's probably behind McGillvary and Walmsley shows how strong we look in that area.