I agree, look at how useful a tactic it is for Wigan with Richards (not their only one before the Pies snipe) but with a good kick he is almost unmarkable.

Brotherton does have speed & height things that you can't coach & sounds like he is solid under the kick so he definitely has potential, as for his readiness I am only quoting Rogues, who despite having his favourites is generally fair but how much he has seen of him I don't know. It is impossible for me to see any flaws as I haven't seen any u20 but things like his defensive reading/positioning are not something we can tell from match reports/stats so he might have issues there.

I agree if there is nothing obviously weak I'd like to see him get the chance in 2012 chuck him in the for preseason, then the cup and if he handles the step well try him in the league.

i would go along the lines of

1. Wellens/Lomax/Ashe depending on the opposition
2. Makinson
3. Shenton
4. Meli
5. Foster
6. Wheeler/Gaskel
7. Hohia
8. LMS
9. Roby
10. Perry
11. Soliola
12. Flanagan
13. Wilkin ( i would love him to have an old 13 role and be a playmaker )

14. TP
14. Lafranchi
16. Clough
17. any from Flanno,Wheeler,Gaskel,Lomax ( could be devastating off the bench like Roby used to be ),Moore ( if still here ) All depending on opposition and injuries ect.

And in a rare case of plannet alignemt and other such freak events i find myseld agreeing with SaintsFan

with pryce gone there is a fair chunck of money for someone to come in or a reasonable sum for two people to come in.

so it maybe that we are still looking at those out of contract. but no point spending it on just any old body. if they ain't betterthan our current players no point buying them as they may struggle to get a game.

I also think it is a shame that Wilkin isn't given the no 13 jersey, in fact it seems to go to anyone but him most weeks. He is our most naturally gifted loose forward, probably more of a Harry Pinne than a Scully. However, I think TP and Laffranchi will share the 13 spot next year, rotating between there, the bench and prop, leaving Wilkin in the second row.

He was playing loose forward during the early part of the season. He even commented in the press that he was enjoying playing there. It's possible that the injuries have impacted on where he has played.

He still plays more or less the sane game if he's second row or at 13.

I'd be shocked if Royce changed is prop at 13 system next year as I think that's why he signed laffranchi.