The big problem with that strategy is that if O,Connor gets injured, Johnson hasn't been playing so is nowhere near up to match fitness and sharpness.
For me, he should be on the bench and getting 20-30 mins every week.

You could end up saying that about every position and player tho, its not possible when you have limited players on the bench and limited rotations, its also determined by the game plan.

Sometimes it makes sense to have 4 forwards on the bench. Johnson will get games and opportunities.

Having 4 forwards is Ok as long as one is an interchange hooker - otherwise your options to change the game are really limited. If you have 2 props and two second rowers your really saying we want to contain you and what you see in the first 20 is what you will see for the next 60

It's not happening though is it if you take a like for like example with Warrington Walker has been given time in 1st team and he made England squad.

From what I've seen of Johnson he doesn't really seem like a game changer tho, does the important hooking stuff well, probably needs to get better in defence, but isnt that running speedy hooker that changes games.

If you want two hookers with contrasting styles you want a young Roby or Daz Clarke.

If you're up against a big team, it makes sense to have 3 middles and a second row on the bench. Keep your pack fresh.

Walker has been around the first team a lot longer than Johnson tho, and was in and out of the team like Johnson before finally getting his chance.

That's backup isn't it? He's not a 9 and never will be Johnson is but isn't getting a fair chance atm that's my point. Think Bentley will be away end of season so might get a chance then.

No hes filling in, Bentley isnt a hooker, he comes on at second row, sometimes 13 this season and has filled in at hooker is O'Connor hasnt been able to do the full 80, Smith has said he sees O'Connor as an 80min hooker.

A fair chance? He's been playing hasn't he? Hes still young, hes getting minutes.

Or Brad Dwyer if you can’t get the other two

Walker debuted at Widnes at 17. He played every week there nearly. He’s had maybe 5 years around first team rugby and only really solidified his wire place last year, mostly because Clark was injured.

You take Johnson’s hiatus into account it’s just not a fair comparison.

Hope it’s dry during the game , if so should be a good one.

I think he’ll play young Sinfield tonight, maybe off the bench.

Think smiths made some decent calls with selection. Hope Bentley pulls his finger out and justifies his start.

Yep, good team for the future, definitely the direction we should be heading in.

Yeh pretty happy with that. And agree Bentley needs the performance otherwise it’d be easy to put Martin back there and play Tindall.

Yeh agree - really happy with that line up.
We might well get beat, but giving Sinfield, Johnson and Walters game time will be beneficial.
Is Tetevano dropped / rested?

Surely got a knock….

Really looking forward to watching this side to see how they go.

Just hope if we lose the younger lads show up well great test for young Jack

Walters particularly needs a good game, to stake a claim. cannot make the game due go illness, do hope we go well.

If we can get our middle interchanges right and they all turn up it would be to our advantage with salford only carrying ormonroyd on the bench. Don't know how much vuniyayayayayayya has improved but think he got errors in him with enough pressure.

Listening on radio. So so dumb. 3 handling errors already. Reece trying to offload on tackle 1. Why?

What is wrong with this sides mentality. Completion must be less than 50% for all the talk (again) of starting well, we're awful once more.

Good god, we're really poor

Smith needs a rethink on this philosophy because were killing ourselves

Chasing the game again after giving 10 point start.

No kick pressure either, what on earth are we hoping to achieve.