It is extremely important to have a pack of forwards that can dominate the opposition. It is no coincidence that the Roosters, Storm and Eels are going so well in the NRL. For that reason alone I would like to see us a recruit another prop forward. We need to give lads like Smith the room to play in and express his skills, we do not want the confidence knocking out of him.

we have a marquee prop

Wonder if it's too much to hope that George has been spending lockdown doing cardio work. It potentially could have been a real opportunity for him to get into shape.

I doubt it as pre season didnt

would defo keep Budgie though for depth alone

2 or 3 years ago but not now, He needs to retire for the good of the team

French is no different to players like David Bolton, Sean Edwards, Henry Paul etc who could all play at both Full Back and Stand off without any problem.

Only difference is French is not a stand off. All the others you name where.

Would you keep him at the expense of strengthening the squad in other areas? Thats not aimed at Joe its just a business decision and one the club may have been faced with. Would you have kept him IF he was asking for mega money? Not saying he was just asking IF.

100% correct

Yes as I feel if we got rid we would need to bring in a winger

French is no different in that he has 2 arms and 2 legs.

That is generally where the similarities end.

Any player can play in any position if you think about it but you have to consider 2 key points.

1. Would moving him there significantly reduce his impact on a game and diminish his strengths.

2. Would moving him there be of benefit to a team expected to challenge for honours?

To play 6 you are no longer the traditional second receiver. You have to be in the action at first man controlling the game. That isn’t French.

French is a strike player and an outside back. He isn’t a 6.

The lads you mention were all natural 6’s who could do a job at 1 in some cases very well.

French is a natural 1 who could also do very well on the wing.

Bolton, Paul and Edwards would struggle on the wing because they are natural halves.

Very different players.

Playing 6 isn't exactly rocket science especially if you have a decent 7 foil. French is talented enough to learn the role and do very well there. The main responsibilities of which are:
- Organising/calling plays on the (usually left) edge in defence and attack
- Quick-thinking with ball in hand
- Strong running game with some pace
- Decent kicking game (often offset by a stronger kicker at 7)

The way we play, the brains of the team and most plays are done by the 9, 13 and 1.

There are different versions of the modern-day 6 and the role is constantly evolving. Lomax, Gale, Kelly, Maloney all play different styles.

If we're honest, half backs have maybe 5-10 pivotal plays in games. The rest of the time they are playing simple passes to a SR, Centre or just placing an attacking/clearing kick.

Hes a fullback or winger

Round pegs, square holes comes to mind!

How do know that he is not capable of playing Stand Off, unless of course he has told you himself.

The same way we know Andy Platt wasn’t a 6.

We have eyes in our head.

So have I!

As far as I am concerned, a versatile top class back player like Beven French is capable of playing just as well at stand off as he is on the wing and full back.

Ellery Hanley started as a winger, moved to centre, then stand Off and ended up at loose forward following the signing of Andy Gregory, and also being a versatile top class class player, excelled in them all.

Henry Paul was another example of a versatile top class player being capable of playing well in different positions.

Hardaker is a top class versatile back having played full back centre and wing to a good standard. Should we try him at 6 as well because by your logic he’d be great there?

Yeah why not?

Just like Cas often use Grant Millington at 6 at times, it's really not a key role.

They’ve not used Millington at 6 for ages and the only time he was used there was when all the halfbacks were injured. With that logic why don’t we try one of our props at 6? How about Tony Clubb

I think you'll find it is

I had to read it again, #6 not a key roll??
along with #1,#7,#9 and #13 they are the spine of the team, and generally the ones who get paid the big money.

Spot on, not sure what game Wigg'n has been watching over the years but it can't have been rugby league!