I said right at the start of the season that Scott Moore was the top english hooker in the competition and he went on to represent England against the French and will no doubt add more caps to the one he gained.
Now several months on I also recognise the talents of Richard Owen, sure Shaun Briscoe is a great talent but Richard Owen I think is the long term number one for the full back position.
He has all the physical attributes we've been lacking in this position in recent years, he has pace, he can chime into the three quarter line and has got great upper body strength.
Let us watch the development of this kid coz he will go far.

I think Owen played very well tonight, and if Cas would have won he surely would have got man of the match.

But our problem over here is building players up straight away after a few good games. Eddie and Steveo are the worst culprits and it makes it embarrassing when we play NZ or the Aussies as we all think we've got world beaters in our team.

Owen is a good player, as is Scott Moore but lets not go over board yet, and let them develop over time.

At the moment no.
In a few years, probabloy not.

I don't think Briscoe is going to improve anymore and in reality is still in the shadow of Wellens.
I,ve seen enough matches of Owen to say he is a much better prospect for the next world cup.
Which means Briscoe is a "stop gap" until Own develops further in 1 or 2 seasons.

nah

Leroy Cudjoe is better.

He's up there with Smith. Unfortunately, neither are anywhere near good enough at international level, whereas the Aussies could field 10+ different fullbacks and hardly weaken themselves.

good one

The same Leroy Cudjoe that can't get in a team that has Martin Aspinwall & Brett Hodgson as wingers.

Richard Owen could be a real quality Full Back, as long as Matterson starts giving him more time there, because that's the only way he will improve as a full back.

Took his try well today and is performing well. he is young and has lots of potential. Touting him as the best english fullback in the competition is a bit of a bold statement though. Yes he has potential but i think he is a fair distance away from being ranked as a tp fullback. I dont watch many of castlefords games but i believe he hasnt played fullback all season and has only recently cemented his place there ? Give him a bit more time and see if he can perform on a regular basis - then you can compare him to the other fullbacks in the superleague

Brett Hodgson is a full-back which is Cudjoe's preferred position, he's actually displaced Aspinwall from our team on the wing recently - he's not realistically going to get picked over Brett Hodgson at full-back.

As good as Hodgson is (Brett) why did you lot sign him when Cudjoe has the potential to be a brilliant full back, so playing there would have been good for both the Giants & England.

Stop whinging.. everyone knows Dave Halley is currently the most in form and best full back in England

Owen still has his off-games like the next person. Potential, but nothing else at the moment.

First kid at full back i've liked the look of recently tbh
He needs some new studs mind, jeesus how many times did he slip tonight!?

Think he was in trainers

i doubt that was his fault to be honest.

that part of the cas pitch is notorious for holding water and it gets really slippy down there even in games on hot days.

i would put those slips down to that.

owens main weakness is his pace or lack of pace, hopefully he will acheive his potential but it will be a few years before he hits top class

You're kidding? that kid could catch Pigeons, he's like lightning when he backs himself.

But he plays for Wales.

Never stopped Wellens did it.

Better than Paul Wellens....really?


I mean, you have someone that can run faster than a brisk walk, who isn't a turnstile in defense and that isn't a black hole in attack?


Really?

Really?




I think you are lying.

cudjoe is a utility back, but prefers full back, once brett hodgson has retired/gone back he will be our number 1 and possibly a future England no.1
but we dont get carried away with our youngsters after a couple of good games
wasn't owen a winger until recently too?

Castleford are producing some quality young players. Westerman, Owen and Shenton could be future England internationals in positions were not flushed with a great deal of talent. Owen and Shenton are both quick backs and Westerman is a very skillful forward. That pass from Westerman to Owen for the disallowed try was sensational.

Cough Shaun Briscoe cough

The only thing Richard Owen beats Shaun Briscoe in currently is his looks.

Thats debatable as well!