Hooker obviously but what else?

we are going to need a half back some time very soon. Sinfields gone and McGuire and Burrow wont be too far behind him. Hopefully sutcliffe comes back fully fit and solves part of that problem but we need another pivot

If we do get brierly, that could mean our half backs are set for the next 10 years in him and Sutcliffe

Supporters. Many are clueless and classless.

Supporters. Many try to get one over on people to make themselves feel good

My wife tells me I need to improve a few positions, especially as I'm not getting any younger, and not as flexible as I used to be

Two hookers required urgently, not half backs or others converted into hookers.

Full back - only joking

Do you want a couple of telephone numbers?

I've heard hookers can play in a few different positions...

Just as long as we get rid of that bloody liability Golding.

A few years ago yes please, sadly no more.

First thread like this in years that doesn't have the first 10 pages talking about props.

Think we need one more high class back row forward. A let and Delaney in particular, are looking like they need cover. Keinhorst has offered an option but Achurch still doesn't do it for me. A hard running wide forward.

Yep. Starting hooker and a tackle breaking back rower please.

Hooker, half back cover and new Ali.

Can't see anything else but a hooker, and a halfback. With, Delaney, Ablett, Ward, Achurch, JJB, Keinhorst, Cuthbertson Walters, and Cam Smith all in the first team squad, I can't see where we'd fit another second rower in unless we got rid of one or 2 of the current squad, which at the moment I can't see happening.

Herein lies the problem - depth of quality:
Ward - outstanding
Delanney - injury prone and inconsistent probably because he is carrying an injury
Ablett - Having a poor season could easily return to his former self
Achurch - average at best
JJB - If he does return it will be mid summer and what will be left in the tank when he does
Keinhorst - honest player but would get into any other top side
Cuthbertson - he is a prop
Walters - looks a one season wonder
Cam Smith - who knows he has never played open age rugby - looks good when he twice the size of everyone else

Can see Walters, Keinhorst and Achurch leaving without impacting the quality of the offering. We need a high quality back row forward.

I'd tend to agree. My point was that none of those players are likely to leave, and I reckon Cuthbertson will get the 13 shirt next season. So, the chances of us signing anymore back rowers seems unlikely.

Whilst his normal position is prop, is it possible Baldwinson could get game time at 2nd row next season.

It's also worth pointing out that Cam Smith recently returned from Australia with a broken leg, his second major injury in a year.

I agree with the rest of your post also, except, and only if deemed required, I do think there is something about Achurch that could just jump out.

It's a salary capped sport, we can't have outstanding players all across the park and in reserve too.

We have an outstanding back five, plus better cover (Handley, Keinhorst, Golding) than we've had in years.

We have good half-backs but could possibly do with some better cover.

We have a very good rotation of props, and a couple of young lads in the wings, which could allow us to play Cuthbertson or Singleton at 13.

We have two second rows who are, on form, international quality (Ward, Ablett) plus some other back-rows who range from the average to the excellent if injury-prone.

We have NO starting hooker.

It's pretty clear the area that needs strengthening.

Of course another Ali would be cool, but it's not a priority. After hooker's sorted, then another halfback is the next on the list (depending on whether we rate Lilley as a first team prospect for next year). This would also allow Sutcliffe to play 13 in some games if that's what required. With either Sutcliffe or Cuthbertson at 13 and Ablett/Ward at 11/12 that's a lot of back-rowers on the sidelines already.

Personally, I'd say hooker and then a hooker that can play in half (rather than a half that plays hooker, aka burrow).

Second row I'd be prepared to stick with what we have, keinhurst still relatively new to the role, but seems to be somewhere he could potentially really do decent job. Achurch imo isn't as average as most think, the problem with him is injuries, when he has a run of games I feel he really offers us something (Mac needs to stop using him as an extra prop from time to time) key here is staying fit and getting the game time rather than being stop start. The only one I'd really get rid of at the moment would be Walters, just seems to have completely lost that spark.

Yeah I agree with that. Another 2nd row would be nice but not crucial to our chances. However, if we don't sign a hooker for next year then it's going to be massively significant.

Maybe the expectations on Smith are too much and he trying too hard hence the injuries? Time will tell whether the undoubted talent carries through.

Achurch you could be right but it hasn't emerged as yet and that is what I am basing my opinion on.

Expectations or not though, and youth is no excuse, someone needs to tell him to take better care of himself, according to my daughter who was at college earlier with him, and said he was swinging around on railings in his protective boot/brace



It is also worth worth mentioning another name I have often brought up, and finally introduced as starting for under 19's, they started improving, and that is Josh Jordan Roberts. He is a talented kid, will make a top backrower given the chance.