I doubt it.

If we went with three proper back rowers then Soliola, Manu and Wilkin would be first choice.

If we played with a 3rd prop then I imagine we would go with Wilkin, Manu, LMS and Soliola on the bench.

In either scenario, Flanagan would be probably be next on the list ahead of Jones.

So for me, Jones will start the season at centre and provide back up to the pack to cover any injuries, with Percival covering Jones.

I really like Jones and like other people have said, let's not forget he is only 20. I really hope he kicks on and finds himself a regular spot and he continues to improve. I'd hate to see the same thing happen to him that seems to be happening with Clough.

I can't see Manu playing many more seasons so Jones may get his chance then, but if Andre Savelio fulfils his potential then he will overtake Jones and Flanagan pretty quickly and become our 1st choice left 2nd row in the next couple of years.

Next year I doubt he would be in the starting pack. But more long term I could see him in a starting pack. I'd imagine 2014 he will be doing similar to last year, rotating between Centre and Second Row.

I'd imagine the pack will change quite a lot next year though. I would be surprised and disappointed if we had the same people in the pack each week. We have enough quality and depth now to rotate and rest players.

For the opening game assuming all are fit and playing at the best that they were last year I would imagine a line up along the lines of.

Lomax Makinson Turner Jones Swift Lance Walsh
Amor Roby Laffranchi Sia Manu LMS

Masoe Warmsley Clough Wilkin


But I would expect some rotation for the next game though and I would expect Percival to be dripped into the team at points during the season, meaning Jones moves to the bench allowing Laffranchi a rest week and LMS to move up to the front row.

But for the Warrington game I would just go big big big. Hit em hard and early. No point trying to throw the ball about in the first match when it's cold and everyone is not sharp. Hit em with bulk and hit em with more bulk after that.


So next year yep I imagine barring injury Jones would be first at centre, but longer term a move up to the 2nd row. For me he is ahead of flanagan and wilkin in the 2nd row.

I voted stuck between centre and the pack big I'd start him centre. I'd tell him to make that spit his own.

Dirty boy.

Haha predictive txt. You can see what sort of fun and games I been up to this Xmas.

For the first game I agree except I'd swap Wilkin and sia. A bench of Masoe, walmsley, sia, clough/ flanaghan is one to be feared!

It will be interesting who continues there development after breaking through last year, greenwood, hand, and walker all played parts last year and need game time to continue, but have ALOT of people above them - anyone know whose being touted for loans?

I reckon Jones could end up as a bench player for both backs and forwards, this is dependant of Percival coming of age and grabs the centre spot.
I,m sure Jones is aware of this and suspect he will not give in too easily in losing the No 4 shirt.
At the end of the day its a competitive situation having 4 centres for 2 spots.

Which is why I would hope we dont pick the same 17 week in week out.

People need game time to improve but they also need the threat of losing there spot to push them to greater heights. There are a few shoe in's Roby/Walsh. But I see no harm in resting Walsh against say a CC division 1 side.

Same with Jones, whilst I'd start him at Centre for Warrington (assuming fitness and performances go to plan)
I'd be tempted for the 2 games of Salford and Hull KR to drip Percival in there. If he holds up and out performs Jones. Then keep him in place until it looks like a rest is needed. With Jones rotating back in for the Leeds game.

Especially over easter, I'd hope we could keep some fresh legs against Cas.

I'm not one for chopping and changing the backs about every week. Backs need to play together to develop playing relationships. Centres and wingers need to develop a understanding and playing together does that, the same for the halves etc.

The pack can be moved about IMO.

I would not change every week, but I think giving Percival 2 games here or there. Letting him play in 'easier' CC ties and weeks when we have to back up on say a Monday Thursday games or Easter Weekend.

The pack I agree I'd have more of a rota for those allowing some of the big guys a rest week, although for Amor the rest weeks might have to be dependent on who we play.

I'm all for resting players but your calling for players to be rested as early as first few games.

Yep certainly. I would think LMS/Amor/Masoe/Laffranchi/Walmsley should be possible to have a five week rotation. One in one out. That's four fairly fresh props every fifth week they get a week off, with Beaumont Clough et al ready to take places due to injury and lack of form.

2nd row Sia/Manu/Wilkin/Flanagan/Walker again decent quality enough to be rotating.

There are exceptions like Warrington and Wigan where you may break that rotation, but yep I would rotate early, with the hope of reducing that rotation towards the end of the season for a more settled side for the key part of the year.

I agree the backs would not change week to week, but after the first 2-3 games I see no harm in testing out Percival.

This is all assuming they are up to the task. If Percival was not at the same level of Jones then it's all academic. In the end I would hope we pick players up to the task, not just names for names sake, or the same 17 each week and then get shocked when we pick up injuries and people start to question our conditioner.

I think he'll start off at centre for us next term and the development of Percival will dictate how long he stays in that position.

Over the longer term, Manu and Laffranchi are not long term bets now and he will move into the pack in due course.

Alo Wilkin is now 30, say he retires at 33/34 that would make Jones 23/24, roughly the same age as Liam Farrell now.

I believe Jones will play centre for the next season or two but ultimately end up as one of 4 main back row options alongside Sia (provided he stays), Savelio and Flanagan. This allows Percival to develop gradually and slot in at left centre.

4 centre's?

I think he is counting

Wheeler, Jones, Percival, Turner and Dawson

Please don't keep putting Wheeler into the mix.
It's like you all believe in the tooth fairy or something similar. There's more chance of seeing Lobby Ludd

Ah forgot about Dawson as a prospective centre. If he can ever get fit Wheeler should be playing 6 not in the centre's.

How I see it.

A lot depends on Percival's development

Personally, I see his future lying in the back-row. I don't have an issues with him playing in the centres but I just think his attributes point to the back-row. Defensively we know how solid he is but I don't think he quite has the footwork or the ball handling capalbilities to play in the role long term. One thing we know with Jones is that he won't let anyone down wherever he plays: he makes metres, solid defensively, decent pace and footwork at the line (for a back-rower), and he knows how to run an angle.

At the end of the day, we have competition for places which is exactly what you want from a squad point of view. What I will say is that I would be inclined to keep the 3/4 together if we can, but we'll see how it goes. I know from experience what a difference that makes.

I think we certainly have cover in all positions.

I'd say there is competition for places apart from 1, 3, 6, 7 and 9.

I agree that he'll probably cover centre for a year while Percival grows up (or we find someone else should he not develop) and then move to the back row.

I think he's underrated by some on here though - he was second only to Lomax in [icleans breaks[/i last year, which is no mean feat.

He could very well make the centre spot his own.
Looked very good at centre.

I think it is easy to forget that he is still a baby in player age terms because he is so physically strong. He is about 8 years off his peak. As long as he gets plenty of gametime I'm not concerned where he plays, we have years to findhis position.

I think he'll get game time at both but i think Wheeler will be first choice in centre ...............for a game or so.