I have no mixed feelings "WV" he got NO TEA and it was WILKIN who threw the punch into Graff ,and it wasn't just the one - wont matter anyhow when he gets banned - the guy wont be getting much game time this year thank god.

Thought Widnes did okay but the noticeable difference "whoever was on the pitch" was the speed of the play the ball - Saints far quicker and if it wasn't for the brilliant Paddy Flynn we would have been out of sight

Still cant understand why he hasnt got a Red V on his shirt

What's promising is that we are increasing the options we have to put on the park. The team almost picked itself last year and now we've competition in the back line and front row, with the 'pivotal' players being quite obvious. Healthy position to be in and stands up in good stead. Galea will add competition for the back row and now Hulme has put his hand up for a centre spot.

We have White, Heremaia, Carberry and Gore than can play 9, doubt Gilmore will ever come into the equation when Denis picks his hooking options.

He's 4th in line at half back too behind Mellor, Brown and Craven. Plenty of time for Tom yet.

I'm sure you are right about where Tom currently sits, but I was making a point about who has the skills to speed up our PTB. I haven't seen either pre-season game so can't comment upon how Heremaia has gone, but looking back to last season White was getting better at varying his play but it was still a bit pedestrian, Carberry was strong in the tackle and had a strong pass, but again not really nippy, Gore again varied his play but wasn't lightening fast (not that he got much game time!). Craven was very laboured when covering at 9, making almost a separate movement in picking the ball up, standing up and then passing. I accept that you have put him in as half back cover, but there was a time last season when it appeared that Gilmore had overtaken Craven and I think he has a fair bit to prove to get back to his early promise, lets hope he does get back his confidence and form.

Gilmore despite lacking a bit of size showed a keen rugby brain and good skills, he could offer that bit of extra zip at 9, but as you suggest it is unlikely he will cover there as we have so many players for whom 9 is their main position. At least things will have improved speed wise now Clarke is no longer there. We just need a bit of variety and clear decision making, as Clarke often seemed caught in two minds as to whether to pass or scoot, allowing defences to blot out whatever move he finally decided to make!

Its important that we have alternative play makers to Brown to avoid KB being marked out of the game. I don't know what evidence there has been of Manuokafoa's offloading game, but that could be another channel of attack we haven't had before, since the opposition could pretty well guarantee non of our props would ever pass or offload, so they could defend accordingly. Nice to be able to create a bit of doubt and uncertainty in the minds of defenders.