For me, you pick your best 17 that is available to you, but also look at the best at that point in time.

With the squad we have now, he would be behind Tupou and Lyne. We also have plenty af cover too in the second row

Totally agree with that , point I was trying to make was assuming we start the season with the same outside backs as last year, with bjb showing same form wouldn’t surprise me if we did a reshuffle to get Atkins in. Think it’s a really astute signing as he looked in good form pre injury at Warrington - he puts pressure to perform on all our outside backs. In a way that arundel never really did.

Depending who gets in as first choice fb we have hamp shire , kershaw Atkins and Jowitt all pushing for game time

I agree we should always pick the best 17, but also I think horses for courses, sometimes it’s possible to switch certain players for some games, possibly to recover from a knock the previous week, gives players an opportunity if they’re playing well in the A. team. I think we now have a squad that affords us the luxury to do this.

I think if Lyne carry's on with his second half of season and nines form, Atkins gets his spot.If he comes back better conditioned and plays like we know he can, all to play for.For me Reece was one of the players, along with Arona,holding the team together when all the injuries kicked in, but he just seemed to burn himself out.

Though Lyne was steady away all season ,if your 6 and 7 are hit and miss for most off the season the outside backs allways struggle.In the 9s got the impression that is face did not fit!in seemed he was left on is own miles away from the play

Hope you're kidding about that.

I don't think he/she is. TBF his form did slip a bit the last third but he basically got no rest all season so understandable really

Hi FMC-definitely a he, last time I looked anyway, ha!

So long as we know

Hi Barnsley-nope,not joking.I expect Reece to keep his spot if he's back to form, but I think you, and others, are underestimating how good Ryan Atkins is, even allowing for his age.Anyways,it's all good competition for places.

I like Arundel, I think he is our most natural traditional , his timing of a pass is better than the other options and his defense is very good. He is not as destructive a runner as Bill and not as elusive as Reece, that said I think he is our best option. Defense was our big problem last season so I hope we look to massively improve in this department. Unfair to judge Atkins on his London performance, he had been out for a long time and it was no wonder he was not at his best. Age is against him but fingers crossed he finds some form, then we have Croft. We also need to see how Tom Johnstone gets on, no point rushing him back, so it may well be that Bill plays on the wing for a while.

I tell you what, we have some size in our back line with Tom, Atkins, Tupou, Lyne and BJB. Croft is no weed either.

Big fan of Arundel he’s been unfortunate to be out of the side at times and double unlucky with his injuries and their timing.

Would you put Arundel ahead of Tupou, Lyne and Atkins ?
Assuming these 3 remain fit, I would see Arundel on the bench, playing 2nd row

Its all about opinions , I would say Arundals been very very unfortunate. Arundals defense and his timing of a pass much better than Lyne.