Hoy has to play full back

Connor stand off
Trueman scrum half

Smith/lovodua hooker bench

Wouldn't keep walker he's done ok but isn't better than hoy or Connor so would be a downgrade

Walker will end up in the championship cause he can't get in at Leeds either hence why he's here

I’d keep Smith over Lovodua, as it stands.

Really need to see Lovodua at 9, to see if he’s up to it. I think he’s already staying anyway.

I like Walker, but with Litten in the background I can’t see us keeping him.

Probably no.6 (in a Warrington shirt)

The position Lovodua will play isca bigger concern than where Connor will play.

The more people are talking about Lovodua, even Dan Tomlinson is asking the same questions now, the more I am thinking he won’t be here next season?

If he isn’t going to be hooker then get rid and sign someone who is.

I thought Hodgson said that Joey will be here season?

For me Lovodua should now be playing 9 until the end of the season as it was the position he was brought in to the club to play originally. We need to see if he will indeed make an improvement at 9 (as we expect he will). If we are not going to play him at 9 or spell Houghton then for me I fail to see the logic in keeping him especially using a valuable quota spot. Don't get me wrong I like Lovodua but he is nothing special in the halves nor is he a player that I would have at LF or SR week in week out. So unless BH starts to play in him at 9 (in what is supposedly his favoured and best position) over Houghton then why keep him at all as his quota spot is of more value elsewhere.
I'm not sure why we would even be looking to give Houghton another year deal when we have Balmforth waiting in the wings who needs games at SL, he will have a full pre season to prepare for SL plus we also have Cator who can step in to spell at 9 too. Yes Balmforths fitness has rumoured to be an issue but between now and the start of next season then the coaching and fitness staff should have him fit enough & ready to do to able to do at least 2 x 20 minute spells in a game.
Personally I just think Houghton is now well best his best and another year would be 1 too many and a needless extension.

You would think Lovodua would be desperate to play 9 given that is where he will probably be playing at the WC. While he may be taking up a quota space I imagine his impact on the salary cap would be quite low hence why we aren't restructuring his contract and simply taking the extra year in our favour.

Have to agree. The fact that a new deal hasn’t been announced yet makes me wonder if he could be on his way.

He doesn't need a new deal, we just have to activate the year option that was in our favour.

If Houghton leaves use Lovodua's quota spot and replace him with a specialist hooker.

If Houghton stays keep Smith (if he goes ok) as a replacement for Lovodua and play him from the bench and gradually ease Balmforth in.

Smith offers far better utility value then Lovodua as well.

Totally agree