I’d be happy to see Ratchford in the halves for 2023.
Yes he has lost a yard of pace, but still has a lightening quick mind like Briers in the last 4 years of his career.
With the squad around Ratchford in 2023, he’ll be ok.

Wrap him up in cotton wool by spelling Hayes & Dean in easy games.
We don’t have to be rash in signing someone, but ideally I would like a 7 as we have no depth other than those under 19s.

I would prefer to use Ratchford as 14 as I can’t think of a better bench utility back with more stings to his bow other than Livett, but I’d rather see Ratchford start with 7 on his back than sign someone in haste as we seem to have been doing with gusto in the KF era.

Shove anyone anywhere we'll just go nowhere with Powell regardless. It's been pointed out before but looking at Salford now and Cas since he left - was Orr the genius all along?

You're signing an NRL halfback once you shed Bullock and Holmes are you not?

Are you feeling bullish about next season? It's probably been 2 seasons since you last predicted you'd go the season unbeaten. Seems more likely to happen next year?

not even close

no No NO NO! NO!!

Agreed, he's lost any pace he had, and he's way slower in thought than Briers was.

Ratchford should be nowhere near the starting 13 next season.

Did you used to be in the cast of the Vicar of Dibley as Jim Trott?

I’m a Ratchford fan, and even I don’t think he makes the 13 next year. He’s an ideal experienced utility either off the bench or as back up, and behind the scenes he’s probably great in the leadership group helping bring through the younger players.

Surely it’s got to be time to blood Thewlis at the back every week with Wrench at centre. We could do with an established organising half for a year or so while we bring the likes of Hayes through. We also have to accept that young players will make mistakes from time to time and that it’s all part of the long-term picture.

We need to sign Gigot to stop this happening

Thewlis will be getting blooded on the wing whilst dufty is here. Wrench(once he's fit)will no doubt be regularly starting at centre.

For me, he shouldn't have been in starting 13 in 2022.

I might agree with you but think we had too many variables and they were all over the pitch. The back line conundrums alone, where to play Widdop (when fit), how good (or how much trust does Powell have) are Thewlis, Wrench, Ashton and Dean, after shipping out Charnley and King, the 'form' of Mata'utia (the Ray Wilkins of RL without the end product).....

With better planning, or bottle, there's a decent shout for him to be the 17th man and cover 1, 3, 4, 6 and 13 from the bench, or feature due to injuries and run in's with the disciplinary

If we do get another half in I reckon he gets a squad number at best.

I've long been a Ratchford fan, but I think his time has gone now.

If we don't sign a new half then Ratchford will start in the halves next season.
If we do sign a half then i think Ratchford will become a pure utility player playing wherever is needed when injuries strike.

Wrench is an ACL season long absentee.
It’s probably his contract, that we will be saving via the loophole, to sign a halfback with the rest of the cap we have left.
If we don’t, Ratchford is good enough with this pack.

I thought I had read May/June for Wrench to return?

The long and short of it is, Powell has given Ratchford a 2 year deal, so he has a plan for him. If it was 1 year on significantly reduced terms it might have been a case of keeping him as a spare part/good influence, but to commit to 2 years there has to be a plan, surely.

I think Powell might agree with you, and think that he is a halfback. Or at least did at one stage of last season. If not half, then the obvious choice is that bench spot.

May was the original estimate and that has been reiterated in today’s Warrington Guardian.

I don’t like the idea of Ratchford at Half-Back. I’m fine with him as cover for Full Back, Centre or Half but not in the starting 13.

Brisbane have released an experienced organising half back … highly rated still over there… believe his name is Tyrone Roberts … just saying

It may have already been discussed elsewhere but who takes over goalkicking duties if Ratchford doesn't start?

oooohhhh i'll see if he has a highlight reel

Interview with Powell due to be released on club website tomorrow.

Quote ="St Helens Wolf"Interview with Powell due to be released on club website tomorrow. '" https://twitter.com/WarringtonRLFC/stat ... heuYA&s=19

Quote ="St Helens Wolf"Interview with Powell due to be released on club website tomorrow. '" https://twitter.com/WarringtonRLFC/stat ... heuYA&s=19

For a few years now, we seem to do the equivalent of Xmas shopping in a service station on Xmas Eve, taking whatever is available, regardless of whether it's apt, useful or serves a purpose. If were after a centre and a half, it does make me wonder who we will sign up.