Wellens
Gardner
Gidley
Soliola
Meli
Pryce
Eastmond
Graham
Cunningham/Moore
New Prop (?)
Flannery
Clough
Wilkin

Roby
Fa'asavalu
Puletua
Hargreaves

I'd prefer to see Puletua used from the bench, as he is capable of coming on and changing a game and making a massive impact. Then we would have Roby, Fas and TP all able to come onto the field and make a massive impact and change a game. Also, TP is able to cover back row and front row so would give us options, saying that Roby and Hargreaves can both cover back row if was needed also. Although, depending on opposition, i would swap Hargreaves for some of the kids, depending on what we need coming off the bench.

We are going to have the same problem as this season, were we have no quality in depth in the squad, as it is just filled with kids, so if we get a few injuries to the 17 and we will struggle, just like this season. We need to be looking to bring in a few players, to give us some quality in depth, IMO.

He's not slow compared to most second rowers though, he's just not quick enough at full back anymore, especially with the more structured defences we are seeing this year.

Lets say wellens moved into the secondrow, who then is gooing to look after meli and gardener like he does

When is Mr Average's contract up.

End of next year.

The thing with Flanno is that it would take us 3 years to realise he'd left.

Anony mouse.

Is that the same wellens who couldn't run down carvell over 80 meters!! Infact carvell run away from wellens!! I recon Ablett, Ali, jjb, kirke and Eastwood are all quicker than wellens!!

Paul Wellens is the white Usain Bolt. He just positions himself so well he never has to use the speed. He didn't chase Carvell because he spotted the obvious knock on.

The distance increases everytime its mentioned

Did carvell not get the ball on his own 20 ?

No, wasn't it from 35-40 out?!

Wellens isn't showy, he's show-and-goey

He got the ball between the Wire 40 and half way. Caught it about on the half way line

wellens forgot the Golden rule that every junior rl player learns first!! Always play to the whistle!!

Ok then lets say wellens had 55 to 60 meters to run down carvell!! That's a disgrace!!

First rule is "stick yer head to the side when making a tackle and never talk about fight club"

I thought he caught it just outside the Tesco Extra as you come off the East Lancs?

I'd agree with that except I'd play Wilkin at 13 and get him to be the third pivot with more responsibility to help ease Eastmond more into his role. If The King does get another year, I would imagine that he would be on the bench (in place of Bryn) and would be used more as an extra prop particularly if we don't sign a world class prop in the close season.

You are probably one of the best placed to say what options we have redcruitment wise with our finances, but we definitely need a prop and the fact we did'nt shunt Cayless out this season was a poor judgement in my opinion as it was clear he was in bother last season.

With regards to your comments about putting Wellens into the second row. I thinhk this is as bigger 'no brainer' as retaining his services. Toi be a top team, second rowers need to be able to break tackles. Yes the 'tackle machine' is good to have, but it is more akin to the game of limited substitutions as opposed to the silly 12 we have now.

Can you really see Wellens smashing tackles? I remember him as the narrow backed 18/19 year old who has worked hard to develop physically to get to where he is now. Pack rugby would be too much of an ask.

Which leaves two options:

1. Recruit some pace into the backs which will help Wellens show the form of 2006, 07

2. Move him on and get more cash under the belt.

I think letting Gilmour go was a bad thing as he was a tackle breaker and quick. The key in the pack will be the development of Magennis. Is he the wrecking ball we need to strenghten ther squad depth.

I would like to see...

1. Lomax
2. Gardner
3. Gidley
4. Soliola
5. Meli
6. Pryce
7. Eastmond
8. Graham
9. Moore
10. New Prop
11. Wilkin
12. Flannery
13. Puletua

14. Roby
15. Clough
16. Hargreaves
17. Dixon

...on the first week of next season with Armstrong and Foster to add pressure on our starting wingers if they don't perform.

I have heard that Sia is likely to play at 11 in the Gilmour role so there may be a spot for Wheeler in the backline.

I would like

1. Wellens/Lomax
2. Gardner
3. Gidley
4. Wheeler
5. Meli
6. Pryce
7. Eastmond
8. Graham
9. Moore
10. Bailey
11. Soliola
12. Puletua
13. Wilkin

14. Roby
15. Clough
16. Maurie
17. New prop in the mould of jackson of hudds (who is off contract)

Lomax and dean to cover any of the backs
Ashurst, Magennis as forward cover.
Flannery and Hargreaves to go (but that may have to wait a year)

Wellens is one of the few players who consistently backs up a break, half break or makes a run even when ball doesn't come free. If he were to play in the pack, he'd be knackered and this element of his game would be lost. Others have stated some other flaws with him being in the back row.

If, and it is if, the belief is there that he is not good enough for full back next year, he should go and make way someone else....not move to another position and weaken the team there (after all, we've got Leon Pryce for that!).

So you are going to bin Maurie and have a bench that would pretty much guarantee a defeat in the big games.

He's binned Wellens aswell.

I've changed my mind on the team:

Wellens
Gardner
Gidley
Wheeler
Meli
Pryce
Eastmond
Graham
Moore
(NEW SIGNING)
Soliola
Flannery
Wilkin

SUBS:

Roby
Fa'asavalu
Puletua
Clough

Back up of Hargreaves, Dixon, Ashurst, McGennis, Frodsham etc.

I'm not sure if Chris Dean will be at Saints next season. I was told that he only agreed a one year deal for 2009 and I haven't heard if anything has been sorted for 2010.