The same situation basically existed when Lunt was at Headingley.

When McGuire, Burrow and Lunt were all available in 2012 - McGuire started all 14 at scrum-half, Burrow 11 at hooker (3 on the bench), Lunt 3 at hooker (11 on the bench (one of those as a non playing sub))

The last time Lunt started when all three were available was the home win V Hull on the 6th July. It didn't happen again on the final 6 occasions.

A 'genuine' hooker may look at that situation and the one that has existed all this season and question whether Leeds under McDermott will offer him the opportunity to advance his career.

Did you notice where Clark started Friday's game?

I've not got the stats but I thought Lunt got a lot more minutes on the pitch than McShane generally does even if he started on the bench.

Lunts defence is better.

Clark started on the bench just as he often seemed to do under the previous Castleford coach - just as Roby did for a long time at St Helens (a player Clark has been compared to in style) - indeed Rogues Gallery and I had a similar exchange on here earlier in the season where I expressed the view it's time Clark was starting - didn't do Roby or St Helens any harm once Cunningham (great player that he'd been retired) and I didn't and still don't view Adam Milner in Cunningham's class.

So what's the problem with having your genuine hooker on the bench then, given you have cited examples of two very good hookers who did exactly that, Roby and Clark?

As a Cas fan I would choose Leeds every time. The only team that would come close is Wigan but that thought makes me feel ill. I was in hospitality on Friday & talking to the (Rhinos) sponsors on our table they were lavish in praise at the professionalism & attention they get from all players at all times when they are fulfilling their contractual duties.

It's a case of getting the best from your players. If Castleford still see that as using him from the bench after starting with Milner then that's a matter for them. Looking in from the outside I'd do it differently.

Roby only did so behind another excellent starting hooker in Cunningham. Once Cunningham retired Roby hasn't looked out of place as an 80 minute player and I would argue he could have done so earlier in his career just as Matt Diskin had done so at Leeds.

Unless Clark has an issue with carrying a knock I'd be using him for the full eighty now just as I said in the earlier discussion with Rogues Gallery.

So I suppose it is equally bizarre that with "Burrow selected as best starting hooker" we actually won 2 Championships on the trot, a World Club Championship and got to 2 cup finals on the trot. Perhaps it is because the coach has this mad view that by keeping his best players on the park he has the best chance of winning. Now there is a really bizarre idea!

I appreciate you accept my word as gospel but be careful - I could be selling a dummy with the use of the term 'past two seasons' - you need to satisfy yourself whether the reference was to 2011/12 or 2012/13.

__________

Except quite clearly Leeds haven't won two Championships on the trot with Burrow selected as the starting hooker..... at least not yet they haven't.

You seem to be implying here that you think they already have - is that what you think?

Same question with regards to losing in two Challenge Cup Finals - both times with Burrow selected as best starting hooker ? Really ... come on, I know you don't do detail (except when the detail is supplied by someone else) but seriously.

It's not even the first time you've used (and I've pointed out the flaws) to this argument but here it is again. Very disappointing.