However previous coaches haven't played him there either. We haven't had a real loose forward since scully, and wilkin has never been given a chance to play there, under Anderson potter millward and now Royce. I reckon he would have established himself as the best 13 in the country, let's face it, he's streets ahead of either curly or sinfield in terms of pace, creativity, workload and kicking game. He's the best loose forward we've never had

Id Guess the fact millward, Anderson, potter and now Royce won't play wilkin at 13 tells it's own story.

Do you honestly think that Hargreaves, Flannery, Clough and co are better 13s than Wilkin?

It's not what I think but it's obvious the other coaches do.

Maybe they feel wilkin offers more outside on the edges?

There is obviously some thinking behind it, I just don't see it myself

The is only two reasons it could be.

1) The past four coach feel he's either not good enough at 13 or possibly he's to small to play down the middle.

2) the past four coaches might feel wilkin is more of a threat playing out wide on the edges. IMO he's at his best when he comes back on the inside as he's that little quicker than most forward.

When I think of loose forwards, I think of Harry Pinner, Chris Arkwright, Scully, Jason Hooper, all of whom were clever ball playing forwards, with a reasonable kicking game, not always the biggest players. Wilkin is from the same mould, IMO.

He is but the game changes. Hookers used to there to win the ball in-scrums, wingers was all thin and fast, props was all big overweight guys etc

It seems teams have started to opt for the extra prop at 13 as we have the stand off, scrumhalf and hooker that do all the ball playing and direct the team.

I prefer the scully style 13 but I think them days are on the way out for that style 13.

Or it could be that a at least two of the last four coaches had better options at 13 than him.

I'm certainly not sure he's "streets ahead" of either O'Loughlin or Sinfield, they all bring something different to the position that's for sure.

In this day and age where most positions are very much less strict and rigid, and much more interchangeable in attack, if Wilkin has the skills of an attacking loose forward he should be able to implement them at periods of the game whether playing at loose or 2nd row. We have enough 2nd rowers-cum-props/centres to cover the gaps when he does so.

We've been a bit spoilt with Scully being a fantastic out and out attacking loose who also happened to be a superb defensive forward too. There aren't many players these days in that position that can do both aspects to an equally high standard.

What I will add tho, laffrachi has played backrow most of his career so he's more of a 13 than TP was who filled that role last year.

Laffranchi IMO is ideal for this postion as he's big, fit, makes good yards and also has good hands.

I think royce will go with

Perry
Roby
TP
Sia
Wilkin
Laffranchi

Which IMO is a very good pack with a good balance. Also we will have three of clough, flannery, Lms, magennis, Dixon and flanaghan all fighting for bench spot.

Well. Until they all get injured anyway.

Perry and laffranchi are nailed on to pick up injuries.

Ha, saddened, your cover is blown! You clearly forgot to change profiles

I've lost hope of an injury-free* season after three injury-plagued seasons.






*And when I say injury-free, I mean within reasonable expectations for the game of rugby league.

Hargreaves, flannery, clough? They are props and plodding second rowers hardly Harry pinner reincarnated!

You are saddened and I claim my £5!

I seem to remember tp playing loose in his first game for saints and running wild? Can't remember who against though. We did sign him as a back rower. And sia as a centre. Meli as a winger.....

Scully? Hooper?

Neither of who have really played for 5 years or so?

Oh no! Oh no!

The Grand Final. All I can see is the Grand Final. The torrid performance by England had washed it away. But it has come back on the tide!

TP had moved to prop at Penrith before he came over. Potter also played him as a 3rd prop.

He needs to up his game in defence next season. Without Jammer, all our forwards do (bar Robes and Wilkin of course who already are manic tacklers).

I agree and said a few times that all the forwards need to up there work rate a notch to compensate the loss of jammer.

Laffranchi and flanaghan are both good hard workers and might compensate the loss of jammer in defence but the ain't a chance in hell we can get over the loss of meters jammer made.

Agreed. And we will also miss those sweet offloads too. Not to mention his temper tantrums and his physical durability.

Won't miss them hospital passes tho



I still think it might come back to haunt saints for not signing on a proper prop. A good hard working prop would if done the trick.

It's a shame the prop that had agreed terms to sign for saints and six weeks later change his mind and sign for another side as it's left us a prop short.