....never said he was.

On this basis Hughes and J Clarke, hence my comment abut “quota”

Apologies misread. Still Hughes is 1st name ahead of all the back rowers. The props pick themselves.

Ratchford & BBM made a massive difference to the side. Ratchford brought an assuredness to the team that we have missed recently, although the didn’t do much he takes a lot of pressure of Austin & Patton as he’s a better ball handler then Mamo & can kick if required. We seem a lot more composed with him at full back.. Mamo for me is a better winger.

BBM looked a lot healthier and fitter, played a lot more minutes then he has done in previous weeks. Hopefully that operation has sorted his issues with his ankle rather then just a cameo 15 minute stint here & there. He looked hungry and up for the game & punched a few holes in Hull’s defence.. more of the same please!

Completely agree '.......88' Ratch made a big difference, his surprise appearance was a real lift (certainly to the fans) and seem to catch Radders off guard which was the whole point I suppose. The other big difference was the positive attitude of the whole team which was good to see.

Exactly, compared to our attitude in recent weeks we seemed ‘up for it’ the defensive approach and determination to keep turn Hull on the back foot worked especially targeting the right winger as much as we did. We had a game plan and executed it perfectly. Our line speed, ball handling and discipline was most pleasing as it was non-existent against Salford at home & Cas away.

Hopefully if BBM & Ratchford have come through unscathed and we can take that CC mentality into the Catalans, I’m confident we can get a result over there.

Ratchfords injury however unfortunate for him personally was the best thing to happen to this team this season.

Got to agree with Mighty Wires 88 having (sobered up) watched it back the change in attitude was really marked from recent matches. Defence on the front foot being the most significant change for me.

Well done all round a much better watch than the tepid performances against the likes of Salford where we seemed to have a plan of standing back and letting them, especially Hastings run all over us

Go on then, duckie. I'll bite.

You've either
a) raided morriseyisawire's Harvey's Bristol stash
b) taken leave of your senses
c) gone the attention seeking route.
d) given your head too much of a wobble

How on earth is losing one of our best /few attacking options/high up in the MoS rankings at the time, players, [ithe best thing to happen to this team this season.[/i

I'm intrigued

It forced responsibility from Patton at the moment Ratchford went down, and from our last game it was clear to see we now have an exciting 3 pronged half back attack.
A great threat that has risen at the right end of the season.
Had Ratchford not suffered the fate...then Patton would have been back in the u19s or Rochdale and the multiple options of half back attack we have now might never have happened. The period Ratchford was out looks to be the preseason fix Patton didn't really have.

...

Have you considered a career in politics?

Patton is still crap and not good enough.

Guardian said Brown was initially hoping for a comeback in the semi didn't they? So he must be fairly close to relieving Patton of his duties?

You're just set in your ways. I bet you still refer to Golden Square as the Fish Market.

LOL

Patton, despite the absence of Ratchford, didn't step up at all.... We lost most of our games and looked clueless.

there was absolutely NO ground to say it was the 'best thing that happened' to the team... infact, you could make a case for the opposite to be true.

Three pronged attack? One of our prongs is a spoon and has been for several years, with Ratch back we've simply got two playmakers again instead of one.

Nothing has risen except concerns for your sanity

Vs Hull we had 3 half's behind a dominant pack.
Result. That's what I saw.
I'm calling it now...Patton will be the most successful scrum half in generations in 2019. Winning the double whether you like that or not.

Crikey! Even if, big if, that happens it will be in spite of Dec and as you know he will be dropped next season. Doubt he'll see the season out anyway. Have a sneaky suspicion Widdop may arrive early.

doubtful Livett and Johnston were loaned out as to play kev brown we needed cap space

Cap space for what?

No, Brown has always been on the cap - we never took up the option to remove him, so loaning Livett & Johnson wouldn't have impacted that.

Jack Johnson leaving gives us a little bit of cap room, the only way Atkins salary could come off the cap is if someone signed him for the rest of the season - paying up his contract would count on the cap.

I'm not sure about cap space, loaning players, letting players go, getting Kev Brown back, or salary dispensation, but, I think if there is a sniff of a chance of seeing Widdop earlier than anticipated, then the Club will be pursuing it or at least doing the maths and having a go

I'm sure you've realised by now, duckie, that Price is is quite an obdurate chap, and bar injury/suspension/face not fitting, a player in Price's squad is pretty much guaranteed his spot, regardless of form. Even Patton's mum and dad would admit he's done nothing of merit this season, to warrant regular first team rugby. He's simply been fortunate, that Brown has been injured, so he's guaranteed regular rugby. He would not have been dropped, or shipped out to Rochdale.
Price doesn't drop people through lack of form. We've others to prove it.
The only person to profit out of Ratchford's injury, is Mamo, as he's been given regular starts.

Without a doubt, if St George are unable to make the top 8 then the club should at least try and discuss a possible release. I’m fairly certain Widdop would be eager to come given that he has missed a large proportion of the season and the GB tour is on the horizon.