i don't know but surely both are young enough to learn to play either side.

Whereas Donald is too old to switch. FWIW I think most players are naturally left sided and I wonder if that is why Shenton has been switched this season to make the most of his natural ability?

1. Salary Cap
2. Young Watkins looks special
3. Does Gleeson know the way to the [iright[/i line?

Which is the 2nd club Gleeson has been "kicked out of"

Just checking that's all. It helps to get you to clarify your point whenever possible before starting to discuss it with you.

my mates wife is gleesons accountant. when i asked her why saints had sold him her reply was"if you have seen there books they didn't have a choice"

Although the actual reason (oh yes, allegedly) strangely had nowt to do with finance...

... not surprised that an associate of Gleeson wanted a slightly different spin on it, however.

What's incredible is that for some years Gleeson has been the only British centre who looks like he knows how to create space for his winger. He's neither big or fast - he just creates options by doing this and executing reasonably well. Given that I would suggest this should be a core skill, it's a shocking indictment of junior coaching.

For all his defensive flaws, if Watkins is at least looking to do the same then I hope he gets all the time and chances he can get.

His insistance on throwing balls into touch suggests he has some work to do on both areas before seeing too much rugby at 1st grade level, even in SL.

I'm no fan of Mathers. I dont think he has done anything to warrant a deal with us, but with regards Gleeson.. I think the following is an intentional swipe at MG and is perhaps an indication of his issues, this amongst the widely speculated 'partying' claims already.

Tony Smith, Wolves Head of Coaching and Rugby said: "I'm really looking forward to reuniting my association with Richard as I found him a real pleasure to coach and I look forward to helping him return to some of the form he has shown in the past. I think he can be a real valuable asset to the club not only on the field but off the field in areas such as his training methods. He is a whole hearted trainer and sets an example to those around him which will be great for the young players within the club."

Must mean Huddersfield?

You're kidding?

Well he [ican't[/i mean Wire!!

No doubt. Your new coach is about as subtle as a brick sometimes.

Warrington will thank him in the long run though.

Strange though that Smith appeared to value Gleeson so highly during the World Cup, even favouring him for the crucial stand off role at one point.

Its' a conundrum for sure.

Problem is a talent like Watkins comes along and everyone says he 'needs to bulk up.'

Any young player who has poise, speed and skill and is a threequarter seems to be penalised for the need to become a glorified second rower.

Its a big problem and a reason behind the chronic shortage of quality backs in GB.

When Ade Gardener is the GB winger, you know you have problems. In the game against Leeds he made a break and should have taken the winger on - the likes of Alan Hunte and Anthony Sullivan would have done in years gone by, but because Gardner has 'bulked up' he did'nt have the confidence or speed to do it.

Being stronger reduced confidence then?

I would say that being stronger/heavier meant that he doesn't have the pace/acceleration and knows it

Never quite understood that thought. It's not like the Olympic 100 metres is dominated by 10 stone weaklings, is it.

Its also not like a 100m sprinter (Dwayne Chambers) could hack it at RL

IMO this may be down to the different nature of club and country coaching. When you're the national coach and only have a player for 3-4 weeks so how well they train is unlikely to be as important and/or prominent as how they play in the big games.

Also you'd expect most players (even those with alleged questionable attitudes) to train harder when trying to win a place in the national side rather than the week in week out training at a club in which they are the "star" player and guaranteed a starting place.

Well, it depends how you look at it. Compared to other players with zero rugby experience, he got a lot further in the professional game than those who weren't 100m sprinters

Watkins needs to put on a stone and a half, which he will. As Richie says, the increased muscle mass will equal more power, and certainley won't slow him down too much.

Watkins needs to develop skills and experience far more than he needs to put weight on. Why would he need to put weight on? Nothing wrong with extra strength but that doesn't mean extra weight is the answer.

And as for Ade Gardner, he's never been able to take anyone on the outside - the only fullback he could run around is in the same team as him.

While probably true it didn't appear to prevent him making a monkey out of Leeds' right sided defence on Sunday.