I'm really looking forward to seeing him in a 6/7 combination with Hastings. I get the point people have made about him not playing there much but I really think it could thrive.

Hastings is very much an 'all across the park' type of player and his ability to create a gap is 2nd to none in SL. I think he has 30-odd try assists this season and that doesn't take into consideration the number of breaks he makes and gaps he creates (unless they lead to a try, of course). French has already shown, both in the NRL and in his start against Warrington, that he needs very little space indeed to operate. His break down the middle for his 'no try' in that game was electric and had a speed off the mark I hadn't seen in some time on these shores. Can you imagine how devastating he could be with some actual gaps to work with?

I really am optimistic that this partnership will work. I know that are variables and imponderables with any new combination and some don't work despite looking on paper to be ideal. For some reason I just have a gut feeling about this one though. If it does we then have Zak running off the back of them and we saw how devastating that was for Cas in 2017.

Fingers crossed, I guess, to some extent. Either way we are in for interesting times next season!

Think we have to be pragmatic and play the style of player that we can get, rather than the one we would like. I think it's a real shame that, for whatever reason, we're seeing fewer and fewer ball playing 13s, a real loss to the game. Even so, there's literally not a single player in my mind in the country who could come in and do a similar job to SOL to a good level. Had we produced a half back who was big enough, say Barrett, then that would be an option, but in the absence of that we have to look to make the best of a different style.

Until him leaving, that would've been Bateman. In his absence, Smithies looks like the obvious successor so long as we can get another 12 months out of Lockers.

I have to say even though there's still so much left in this season (potentially a trip to the GF) I can't help but already be excited for 2020, the calibre of player and how they play really does seem promising.

And yes, French as a 6 playing off Hastings as a creator and first receiver controlling the flow of play both left and right of the ruck would be something to see.

You're right, hard to find a 13 who plays like Lockers, who for me has been an all-rounder who has the attributes to be a ball-playing link as well as carry the ball and tackle all day long etc.

Like others on here I did wonder if Josh Woods could bulk up and fill the spot, he has the hands after playing as a 7, but for me lacks the pace and acceleration to be a top half. But could he deal with the work rate and demands of the defensive duties of a 13? I don't know.

We've had Greg Burke, seemed to have the skillset, but it just didn't happen.

I once thought 'way back when' that Joe Westerman when he first burst onto the scene could have been the guy, but it wasn't meant to be.

I think on reflection that is why Lockers is so good.

Good shout on Westerman. Seemed as though he's been trained to play as a 'modern' 13 as his career progressed. Injuries too, but he's definitely a player who in different circumstances could have been more in that style.

Another who has been very, very disappointing is Liam Sutcliffe. Turned out to be an average squaddie, but he looked all the world like he would develop into a very good ball playing forward.

Totally agree on both Westerman and Sutcliffe. I remember a few years back hearing a rumour that Wane liked him and enquired about him. I wonder how he would have developed if he'd had come to Wigan to play as a ball playing 13. It seems Leeds didn't quiet know what to do with him after playing him in multiple positions.

For sure. As you say, given we've still so much to play for, it seems a bit strange to be looking forward to next season so much. I can't say we've had that anticipation regarding signings for a while. Probably the Melbourne trio was the last time we could see a significant improvement in personnel going into a new season.

Theoretically we're better off in the forwards, halves and, provided Manfredi can return at or near his best again, in the backs than we have been this season. Quite an upgrade and not one that any team gets to see very often. Credit where it's due to IL and KR. They've taken some stick regarding recruitment over recent years but they've pulled out all the stops this time around.

Anyway, I'm sure we'll be discussing this more over coming months. For now we've got another title to win!

As I recall with Westerman, didn't he come along at about the same time as Sam Burgess, and they were hailed as the future of English rugby league? But Westerman's career never quite blossomed like Burgess's did.

I'd use Flower there and go down the 3rd prop route, we've lacked size in the pack for as long as I can remember. That would also help get round piling expectation on a new player taking on the pressure of the 13 shirt previously held by Lockers and Farrell before him

I remember him impressing tremendously in his spell there a few years ago when Lockers first starting picking up injuries. If Lockers hangs up his boots next season then this might be the sensible option. I worry slightly about Flower's loss of mobility and what that will be like 2 years down the line.

Going down this route. I would love to see sutty back in this role. Can play full 80 and still packs a punch

That's a good shout actually. He's more mobile and has more minutes in him than the likes of Flower or Clubb. Saying that I think he's done enough to impress for another contract in Canberra. From what I can recall I think he only signed a 1 year deal.

Got to say, i was never a big fan of westerman's when he was at hull, very much seemed like he was in his comfort zone and never stood out apart from the odd pass once or twice a season, when he signed for Warrington i was miffed that we paid big money for him but in that first season you could see the quality that he did actually possess and there was a lot of ppl who thought if he knuckled down he could be in position to take lockers international spot when he retired (whenever that is in the next 20 years) as they really are the only 2 proper loose forward types in the league now with the combination of build and passing skills.

Obviously he only last 2 season with us then we recouped our outlay with him going toronto, i'd heard that the coaching/conditioning staff really weren't bothered by him leaving as he did live up to his nick name of 'Just enough joe'.

I can well imagine that to be honest. Lots of talent and ability but without the right attitude and desire there's no real point. Not a game you can half-.

I see some good signs from Partington in regards to him having the ability to play as a loose forward. He’s as tough as they come, has a good engine, he’s aggressive, mobile and his passing game looks pretty useful. He wouldn’t be a creative loose forward like Lockers but I think he’d be well capable of really making an impact on that position.

Long term I think we’ll see Smithies in the role but it’s a big ask to do it week in week out just yet.

Where do you see Smithies playing? He has made such a good start but I do not see any other spot than 13 being up for grabs for a couple of seasons. I suppose someone will be given the task of managing expectations.
Interesting about Sutty but reports from Aus suggest he will be in demand for a while yet.

Personally I'd like to see Smithies on the bench as an interchange back rower.
A SR of Faz and Greenwood, with Lockers as our 13.
Smithies on the bench coming on for the back row. Considering his age etc I think playing out wide would be better for him than the week in week out heavy duty action in the middle.

If we're looking at using a prop at 13 we have plenty of options... even Bryne or Clark.

I'd also like Wells to push on in 2020. I want him to fight for a first team spot with the same tenacity as a Smithies, I saw potential when he played.

Yep, don't forget he was a loose forward at Crusaders too before he signed for us.

Smithies you’d think will end up at 13 in the long term but he’s a baby, so I think we’ll probably see him switch between second row, loose forward and the bench for a while yet. I’ve read a few people say to not compare Smithies to Lockers as it heaps pressure on him and he doesn’t have that ball playing ability. I fully agree with the first part but I would be loathed to write his ability to move the ball around off just yet. I very much doubt he’ll turn in to something akin to Lockers but as an 18 year old I’m sure he’s trying to keep things pretty simple and maybe as his confidence grows he’ll open up. People who’ve watched him in the u18’s could probably comment on that side of his game.

Hankinson ? Pretty big lad, good hands, solid defender from what we've seen of him, lacking that yard of pace for a centre though. Bonus points for being a very good goal kicker.

I’ve never seen Hankinson defending in the middle so wouldn’t like to speculate.

I think Sam Tomkins would make a good 13 towards the end of his career.

I think the interchange reduction ties in with the role of the loose. IMO we'll start seeing 80 min hookers and second rows becoming the standard, leaving the opportunity for the loose to come off and back on once, hence it lending itself to a third prop. I think we'll see something like

P 2 x 20 mins
H 80 mins
P 2 x 20 mins
SR 80 mins
SR 80 mins
LF 30 + 20 mins

S Prop 2 x 20 mins
S Prop 2 x 20 mins
S Loose 1 x 30 mins
S Utility back - cover for injuries or if someone is having a Coote

I think he's too small to deal the amount of defensive work and hard carries needed in a loose.
I always thought Sam's natural progression would see him as a playmaking controlling half opening up breaks for others once his speed left him.

Manfredi