gave Leigh a good game at the start of the year and they are probably the best team in the championship now

Realistically that side was a lot stronger than any reserves side we'll put out all year. J.Burgess, Manfredi, Smith, Bullock, Clark, Greenwood and Havard all started, and we still lost. How many of them will play reserves this weekend, two? On a good day our reserves may be more like a mid-table Championship side, but over the course of the season I think bottom of Champ/top of League 1 is a fairer reflection. Our normal reserves side isn't at the same standard as London/Tolouse/Leigh/Fev first team.

5 of them played the first game, others came in due to injury

Unrated benefit of Reserves is when determine, style of player, what position, how many minutes etc

Hypothetical examples, Hankinson can be tried out at right and left centre.

Mitch Clark can be given long minutes to improve fitness etc

You’re at the mercy of other clubs who need short term results with the other methods.

Yep, that's what happens with reserves, hence the quality will fluctuate a lot as I already wrote. NSW has just nailed the benefits of reserves, plus obviously it keeps the lads together.