Surely probably the player who has proven that he can hold his own in any position on the pitch in Superleague can never be described as just a back up, a victim of his own versatility.

Don't get why people have to pit one against the other, and slag the other off makes no sense. squad game. My view is whiting is superior at 13 but westy is better running wide. Westy better with his feet whiting better with his head. Think gentle took a while realising westy is a good wide runner, but sussed early whiting is a 100%er who'll do any job to a high standard without being a world beater. Either way if they play it'll be on merit and which one is best suited to the team at a certain point. Ellis tickle galea probably starting back row, would be mine.

For me atm I would go with Whiting starting at 13. Was great for us in the back row last season.

Start the match with Ellis, Tickle, Whiting, and then have either Galea or Westerman on the bench.

This.

Tickle is an England international back rower.
Ellis is an England international back rower.
The last place is for loose. The best out of Galea, Westerman and Whiting there? Whiting IMO.

Who would be on the bench between Galea and Westerman? I'll decide my opinion in the friendlies.

Rich will get in the team and once in will stay there.

The only position he hates is 18th man ,ask him hates it when injured in the stand.

Galea to miss out if all are fit. But out of Westy, Galea, Ticks, Ellis and Whiting, it would be a minor miracle to have them all fit at the same time.

All 5 will get decent game time this season. How good is it having these head aches

Agreed, Whiting is my favourite player.

Ellis and Ticks will play in the back row. Whiting, Westy and Galea will battle it out for 13 and a bench spot. One will miss out of the 17.

Bench probs two props, Heremaia and a backrow.

Did anybody actually think we missed Tickle? I didn't, and I'm a big fan of his.
I'd play Whiting ahead of Westy through the middle, but Westy over Whiting wider. I think the way Gentle talks about Westerman tells us that he thinks Joe could be great.

I think with better halves and quicker ball out wide Westy could thrive like he did at Cas. O also think Galea right now is better than both of them.

Think we would have missed him more if we didnt get foster in on loan for his goal kicking. otherwise it seemed other players stepped up in the mean time