Houghton imposed himself on a 50/50 game as was a standout player for us. Berrigan didn't and wasn't. If you'd attended that particular game not knowing either player and said one of the two had the far bigger reputation and salary, you'd be hard-pushed IMO to pick Berrigan out as said player. I'm not having a go at Berro, but Houghton took it upon himself to take the game to Catalans and did so with gusto. Good on him. Fans, unsurprisingly, respond positively to that sort of obvious attitude and effort.

No he didnt, Washy stayed at 6. You can tell by the defensive pattern. Washy stayed defending wide right and Berro defended down the middle like Fitz normally would. Berro may have gone in the middle to ball handle but that was as a 13.

Houghton was good but imo Manu was motm by a country mile.

I didnt have Manu in my top 3. Briscoe and Whiting were up there for me with Houghton.

Really? I actually thought Catalans had picked him out as our strike player and contained him fairly well compared to some other games he's rampaged his way through this season. He's the dog's bollox.

I must have watched a different game, he was immense.

He he stood up to their forwards but i wouldnt have said anywhere near immense. Our forwards were largely bullied imo without Fitz and O'Meley. It was only Briscoe's good work clearing our line that meant we weren't under huge pressure at times.

He constantly beat his opposing man and then another one. He constantly went forward and was our one attacking thread. I mean he must have made far more metres than Briscoe not to mention the amoutn of defence he went through.

I also think moa doesn't look the same player when fitz and particulalry o'meley aren't in the side. Must be much easier to come on and make an impact after ogre has softened them up for 20 minutes

But we are all well aware of the particular situation and conditions. Those being Berrigan has just returned from serious injury and was playing in a position that doesn't actually see all that much of the ball with which to impose himself on the game. Whereas Houghton has been playing lots of minutes and is in great "form" playing in a position where he touches the ball pretty much every single tackle.

Its not even a valid comparison.

Don`t disagree,but Houghton for me edged it.

Why would the stand off pack down as a 2nd rower in the scrum ? Berrigan came on for a prop and then swapped with Radford who was playing loose forward.

I was comparing recent weeks performances when both have played at hooker.

Shame we have no chance of signing mcshane. He looked very good tonight