If Luauki is in the backrow I expect that he will get targetted alot when he is defending.

Early in the season it does make sense to have an extra prop at 13 as you tend to get very little open rugby and pitches are very soft. The problem is last year we used the same system all season and I don't see it changing this year. It would mean Fitz moving into the back row and Tickle missing out and I just don't think Agar will do that.

The problem is if Washy gets fed up and wants out we are left with nobody as there are rumours about Tickle wanting to leave and Fitz might not be here for very long. It's a short sighted view and it only puts more pressure on the halves when it comes to creativity.

We can win at Saints with this side and if we do all the plaudits should go to Agar and the players but it just seems the easy thing to do is to not play the likes of Washy and Moa.

Personally, I dont see the need for 'extra' creativity from your loose forward when we have a four pronged assault from Berro, Long, Horne and Tansey. Would much rather get more from Tansey even if that means leaving Washbrook out, have never really seen what Washbrook brings other than a show and go which worked for a season when he was unknown.

Look at the best team in the comp, Leeds. They have 1, 6, 7, 9 and 13 who can all create for them and it seems to work. I take your point but most teams will play us and think lets just stop Long and we stop Hull. Horne has been misfiring, Tansey is a great prospect but still has to fulfill his potential and Berrigan has been a bit hit and miss. Having an extra option can only be a good thing and Washy can also be used as a battering ram too. Although maybe for the first 2/3 games using Fitz at 13 might be a good option due to heavy pitches.

Whiting, Turner, Radders or re-sign G Horne

just from seeing him at the rovers game he brings more creativity and a better running game , rather than just a ram imho

I'd be more worried if/when things go wrong and Agar persists with the same tactic and team. We have scope and depth to change the dynamics of the team with the signing we've made this season . There's no excuse to plod on and pick the same 17 week in week out.. unless it's a winning team.

Agreed he broke the line by running a good angle and also almost put Longy in with a nifty offload. Far more to his game than just battering.

Afraid to say I agree with Hutchie in that Fitzgibbon brings so much more to the looseman role than we have seen for a few years, certainly more than a battering ram approach. I even thought that when Radford re-appeared to spell Fitz against HKR that he looked like he had taken on a new lease of life in that position and was prepared to try more than last season. Leeds are a special case in my view, the quality they have is frightening as you didn't even mention Eastwood, but I struggle to find another team with the same options. Agar has to make sure he puts the square pegs in the square holes and if that means Washy misses out then so be it.

Not sure about creativity, he does off load the ball well though and is intelligent so will offer more at 13 than radford did who is more of a plodder.

I'd just have liked Agar to make a real statement with his first selection, Washy at 13, lots of impact on the bench with Moa and send out a message about how we want to play. Maybe he has picked a team for this game only, i'd have preferred us to be a bit more bold and have a more attacking line up.

But if we get the right result who cares!

Whiting and Tuner are options although I think Washy has more potential than either of them.

Problem is Paul, BOLD and ATTACKING are not in Agars vocabulary, Dowes, Radford and Cusack are all exactly the same type of player, Moa should have been in the 19 at least.

Mrs B is right in fact it could now just be a strain but waiting to see before anything said, however I think on this occassion it is genuine, not risking him!

Washbrook has a very high workrate and his defence is excellent. Easily offers as much at LF as fitz for me. Balance of teh squad is poor really with far too many 2nd rowers, which means he's going to be continually leaving good quality players out in 1 position and playing reserves in others