www.thereddevils.net/news/red-de ... kins-loan/ Not the one I guess everyone would want but not bad either. Will be massively narked if this means that Theo doesn't get the bench spot as he's been for me our most potent attacking threat at the ruck so far this season, Tomkins to start and Theo off the bench would do me bit harsh on Lee but thems the breaks

www.thereddevils.net/news/red-de ... kins-loan/ Not the one I guess everyone would want but not bad either. Will be massively narked if this means that Theo doesn't get the bench spot as he's been for me our most potent attacking threat at the ruck so far this season, Tomkins to start and Theo off the bench would do me bit harsh on Lee but thems the breaks

Chase @ 6, Lee @ 7 and Tomkins @ 9 with Fages coming off the bench!

Tommy Lee gets though a lot of tackles and is big enough to play 2nd row or loose

Lee has good hands too - the question which needs answering is what will happen to Howarth?

Players will always be thirsty during a game and carrying water bottles is an under rated job

Personally I think this is a wake up call for Tim Smith.

Seems like after day 1 Harris has realised what the majority of us have been saying all season, our current options at 9 arent good enough. It's still an odd signing though because Tomkins isnt an off the bench impact hooker we need. It will be interesting to see how the team shapes up on Friday, it would be very harsh on Theo if he is dropped after a couple of impressive performances BUT he isnt a hooker and we shouldnt be affecting his natural game by playing him there weekly.

I'm not sure this guy is better than what's here already,but I'm happy if performances prove me wrong

for anyone that knows rugby league salford simply didnt have an out and out loose forward playing hansen there playing rapira there isnt the right option, can honestly see lee moving to loose with tomkins at hooker theo off the bench, this is a very good signing in my opinion !!! i still doubt harris's credentials but at least he's spotted the hooker/ loose situation

Yes he's been a shadow of what I've seen from him in the past. Perhaps he will respond and start to perform better with Harris coming in.

I thought the same.

It wouldn't surprise me to see Lee move to loose. Theo has been great for us this year so far, especially seeing has he is playing in different positions.

Love or hate Harris, shaking-up the hooking role was one a lot of us had identified, so fair play.

I think Tomkins is a good addition & the fact that he's been playing well for Wigan already this year means he should fit in without too much of a problem.

I've always been impressed with Logan Tomkins when I've seen him play on TV. Nippy operator around dummy half and he doesn't shirk the defensive responsibilities.

Potentially a good signing with a view to a more permanent move.

Undecided about Tomkins, we’ve been poor around the ruck all season, but I honestly don’t see Tomkins as the answer, Theo has been superb when he’s had his chance. Maybe as others have said this is a replacement for Smith (although I doubt it)? I don’t see the point in bringing him unless he going to play so for me at the moment Smith has to be the one to make way. I’ve got a feeling it will be Theo who gets dropped though.

6. Chase
7. Fages
9. Lee
14. Tomkins

Is what I’d quite like to see although got a feeling it will be:

6. Chase
7. Smith
9. Lee
14 Tomkins.

Either way I suppose it adds a bit more competition and keeps Howarth even further away from the 17, which can’t be bad!

its sorting the loose forward problem out trust me tommy lee will be at loose logan and theo will rotate !!!

In that case;

6. Chase
7. Smith

8. Morley
9. Tomkins
10. Tasi

11. Hock
12. Hansen
13. Lee

Fages
McPherson
Puletua/Rapira
Walne/Griffin

On the face of it, that looks a lot better.

I have a feeling that a couple of years down the line moving Theo to hooker will have proven to be a master stroke as can see him going from strength to strength, he can create havoc with his scoots and is a naturally ball player who will create gaps for others.

As has been said elsewhere having Rapira/Puletua at loose for me isn't the answer as neither look to be ball players, Lee has proven at hooker his defensive capabilities so moving him to #13 would be a natural progression as he will promote the ball much more than who we've had playing there this season.

If you look at a spine like.

Mullaney.
Chase.
Smith (get the feeling his game will improve markedly with Harris/Long in charge).
Tomkins/Fages
Lee.

We have certainly got more than enough creative players who are more than capable defensively, I've said it for a few weeks someone soon is going to be on the end of a hiding and looking at the creative players above I'd not bet against it being Friday.

Tomkins is a workaholic type that will tackle his heart out and get you rolling forward with good distribution. He's not an impact hooker in any way and to get the best from him he needs to be playing long minutes.

He'll go well for you I reckon.

Another one to add to the 'Anyone but Owen' list.

He's out on loan and getting experience, that's a good thing. He'll likely break into the first year properly next year, what's the issue with loaning a player until then? Some people will moan about anything.

I think the fact Gaz Owen is the best natural hooker in squad and he was palmed off in favour to keep Stuart Howarth grated on a lot of people, me included. I think the terms of Owen’s loan deal mean he can’t be recalled. IMO bringing Tomkins in is a decent shout as we do need steering better around the ruck and hopefully he’ll bring some youthful enthusiasm with him. Owen is apparently tearing it up at Sheffield and I’ve been keeping an eye out for their match reports and highlights on Eagles TV, he’s scoring a fair few tries, which I think can only benefit him. I don’t see Tomkins as the long term solution to our hooking problems, but I would like to see Gaz Owen part of the club for some years to come.

I don't disagree at all, quite the opposite. If Owen can't be recalled though, comments like the one I originally quoted just look petty, he isn't an option to be picked now and that has not one single thing to do with our current coach.

Loan extended: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/27125206

Loan extended: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/27125206

Good news for us. Was what we desperately needed.