Was looking at our options for the back row, and can anyone see blythe playing anywhere but back row when hes fit and especially when ferguson is available, I think we would be looking a lot stronger than a back three of Addy, Olbison and Donaldson with Blythe, Ferguson and Addy I think this will help us compete especially if we can get one more prop in

Blythe is out for another month though. His thumb is still not healing correctly.

Agreed. Although would start with Donaldson ahead of Addy.

How badly did he cut his thumb?? What was he using a samorai sword?

I've seen the pictures was a horrible cut.

Would be Blythe, Ferguson & Donaldson for me,

Donno is always throwing himself about putting his body on the line,

where as Addy................... well, surely watching him against Cas is enough to make your own judgement

I'd swap Addy over to the left. He'd get more ball and defend less. I've never seen Olbison make a pass so it's hard to see the point of putting Gaskell at 6 for structure and playing Olbison outside him.

It's make or break this season for all three IMO.

We've lacked impact in the back row since Elima left.

Agree with having Addy on the left tho.

Mullaly was pure beast today. I didn't realise how big he was. Very aggressive too, and mobile. Would like to see him here full time. Get Mexico in and blythe and Ferguson in the backrow and we have the makings of a decent pack.

I would try and sign both Danny Bridge and Anthony Mullally to permanent contracts, both have big futures in the game.

Donaldson as immense last night. Got to build the base of the pack around him with Ferguson and possibly Blyte/Bridge as the other 2nd row. Addy not commanding enough to start in any position but great to have coming off the bench as a Utility option as could do a job anywhere on the pitch if necessary

Bridge and Mullally would be great to get in on a permanent basis.

Donno is looking quality atm

Thought Mullally added what we lacked against Cas last week.

Was interesting to hear the interview with Diskin last night before the game, he referred to Olbison as the best trainer, and probably one of the strongest lads he has come across.

Wasn't expecting that to be honest.

sport is full of great trainers that dont deliver on the field/arena

Not convinced about Bridge yet. Mullally and Donaldson yes all good with them. Carvell not missed now is he.

Not sure on the praise for Mullally to be honest, especially people saying we should sign him up after one game. He is a big unit no doubt, but he also looks very clumsy, he was a penalty/error machine last night and he could have been penalised a few more times, he put the team under unnecessary pressure several times and really could have cost us.

I respect your opinion however to balance it I think he made a more than a difference. Work on his tackling technique but then what do i know at 5ft 10 1/2 I was always tackling kneecaps!!

Would agree about bridge used as a prop, as in cas game. Thought he looked a lot more comfortable in 2nd row and ran some good lines. Think it's well worth extending his loan deal if we can as offers a bit of size in 2nd row, which we don't really have, and gives us a backup option at prop. That assumes we don't bring in a permanent signing for prop/2nd row.

Very true!!! I'm 6' 7" and from my playing days I know how difficult it is to bend the knees and get low



I'm not saying he hasn't got potential, just saying lets not get carried away, if one of our regular players had given away so many penalties I think the fans would have given him stick. Fingers crossed he turns into a star AND we get to keep him.

Maybe Mullaly was just a bit over enthusiastic last night. A couple of weeks to settle down and he will be ok. Pleasant surprise for me.

I thought Mullaley did very well in all honesty. A nice bit of go forward and he always looked to get involved.

However, I am in two minds about it. If he goes well then of course we will benefit in the very short term, but then e will be in the same position at the end of his loan term. If he does not do so well then it will not be as big a loss.

I would like to see the loan extended for, say, three months, so that we can get a clearer picture.

Hudders are well off for forwards so hopefully we might be able to negotiate a longer deal. Let’s face it we need him and extended game time would be good for him and hopefully enable him to iron out his weaknesses. There’s not many other options.

He can lose composure and over play at times but maybe that’s down to enthusiasm and maybe a bit of nervousness about wanting to make an impact. Alternatively he might just be a doylem.

I guess we’ll see.

Yes.

Sometimes their are players that we watch and intuitively know they could be really good if they take their profession seriously.

Big Slamming Sam is the ultimate modern role model.

Earl Crabtree deals with his height ok I guess, so it can be sorted.

It's the sheer physical presence of Mullally which impresses me rather than any particular skills. If he runs hard he will take some stopping and will take a lot of gas out of the opponents who have the job of stopping him and it is something which we have been definitely short of, imo.

As someone said further up the thread we haven't had that sort of presence in the pack since Elima left, and, of course, he used to give penalties away too, but I guess it goes with the territory.