Radford rarely if ever gives Houghton a breather, 2016 and come that crucial Warrington game you could tell he was already shot after 15 minutes, just didn't have it in him to get anywhere near the man for their 1st try, he wanted to but the body was like nope.7

Houghton is more effective overall when he gets a rest, not just in one game but over a season, flogging him week in, week out doesn't get the best out of him, do we miss him when he's off, of course but you have to balance everything not just those minutes without a top player. And by not allowing our other hooker to play/develop as Houghton did alongside Berrigan we stifle that development just as Radford did to Cunningham who was called up for England Knights this year.

Don't think the Connor at LF is a bad shout but Radford doesn't play that way and prefers effectively another prop sized player there.

connor at loose man

Well I'm going to leave it to Radders to sort out because, despite what a certain person on here says, he obviously does know what he is doing. And long may it continue.

If Radford wants Sneyd and Kelly in the halves then I would have Connor and Griffin as the centres.

Interesting to see what Bennett will do with Connor in the England squad later this year. Possible halfbacks include Connor, Widdop, Lomax, Gale, Williams and maybe Richardson.

Usual nonsense not based on any fact, Houghton like Roby is an 80 minute player, you have named 1 game in the last 5 years were Houghton looks tired, it was the last game of a long season where Houghton played just about every minute, I honestly can't remember a game when I though Houghton needs to come off.

I liked Cunningham, but like Hodgson it was bad timing and we have certainly survived without him.

There will be a point soon when DH needs a rest and when that happens Litten will get more gametime, as I've said before Radford Lowe more than you about when Litten is ready.

Look to me another chance to have a dig at Radford

I would have Carlos and Connor as the centres and Griffin in the back row.

Widdop at 1
Connor at 6
Richardson at 7

Would be a good spine for England

In place of who?

I am not suggesting Carlos has done anything wrong, but a fully fit Griffin (was outstanding before his injury) and Conner in the centres would be my go to should Sneyd and Kelly both be fit.

Coaches say its a good head ache to have. It is if you are good at man management.

I’d drop Taylor to the bench, to spell Houghton and play Connor at prop then he can play in any position in the team if they get injured. Just my opinion of course

Who'd have thought during the Agar years that we would find ourselves in a position where we have more talented creative players than we know what to do with?

I think for me, the answer is Griffin in the second row next year. I feel it plays to his strengths and allows us to get maximum minutes out of everyone else. Connor is too good to be sat on the bench even if just for 30 minutes. I would also try to find a spot on the bench for Miloudi. Clearly he can change a game and can cover 1-7. We might end up with a scenario where Connor is Englands 6 but plays centre for us, but that's ok. It's not unheard of in the world of international RL.

Other signings notwithstanding:

Shaul
Faraimo
Connor
Tuimavave
Talanoa
Kelly
Sneyd
Taylor
Houghton
Green
Griffin
Minichiello
Westerman

Paea
Matongo
Miloudi
Hadley

Bags of talent and strike all over that 17, and its possible we will make another signing or two yet.

Jake has signed an extended contract to 2021. Great news and great work by FC to get his name on the dotted line.

That appearance and indeed performance against NZ will certainly have added a few quid in his pocket, glad we've got him nailed down for the next three years.
How long did we sign Kelly for? Just thinking that further down the line is Connor a consideration for the 6 position?