He's no replacement. Gutted for ya, Vella's a massive loss.

Dont see what the problem is, you've got to go with your recognised props, so its out of Watts and Wheeldon.I would go for Wheeldon just for the fact he has had more game time in the friendlys. Why play somebody who is more of a centre or backrower totally baffles me

If Lovegrove is going to used regularly as a Prop i dont see the reasoning behind the signing of Wheeldon?

Unless he has an outstanding season Lovegrove will more then likely not be retained at the end of the year. Playing as a utility and covering positions wont give him a chance to nail down a spot and establish himself within the team imo.

Rhys has trained all pre-season as a prop, its not about him not playing in the back row or anywhere else its just that he's seen to have more of a chance at prop than anywhere else.

Its his speed around the ruck that I think pleases Morgan, he makes good yards in the tackle and has great upper body strength so I think thats why he's favoured in that position but wont be discounted if we get injuries in the back row.

For a change i completely agree with you.

Got to be Wheeldon, can play alot of minutes and has impressed far more than Lovegrove in the pre-season.

Would be very surprised if he left out Scott. I'd start with Mills and have a bench of:

Fitzy
Gene
Wheeldon
Macca

Is he going to be fit?

If so id have him on the bench over Cockayne. Just for big game experience.