I think he’ll maybe play both depending on the opposition or tactics.

It’s got potential to be a big set of forwards for sure. Isn’t Mckmeeken about 6ft 6?

To be honest thought he played loose forward for England in the international but might be mistaken

Don’t you start

Generally used as a middle these days much in the same way Peacock and Morley transitioned.

He can play secondrow but for last 2 possibly 3 seasons he has mainly been used as a middle unless there have been injuries in the secondrow. He went to Catalans as a specialist secondrow but was fairly disappointing.

They transitioned him to Prop/middle in 2022 and he was much better getting his England squad place back after not being selected in 2021.

Exactly this.

I do not think he'll have been played 2nd row in the last few seasons through coaches choice. He will have done a good job at filling in when needed.

I just cannot see him being an option for the 2nd row for us unless injuries dictate the same.

Let's be honest it's a nice debate to be having about an England international player who is joining us isn't it.

He’s definitely played SR including this season, I’ve seen him do it. You’ve made a good point, no need to exaggerate.

I think he's more of a full back ??

https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/play ... tions.html

https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/play ... tions.html

I’m though he was an edge forward but seeing him run down the wing earlier this season is convinced he’s a hooker.

This is the most recent games. Seems pretty even between prop and second row but he looks every part a full back.

If you look at the pack Powell is assembling, a fair few of them are have played or are capable of playing front or back row.

Rodwell, McMeeken, Bain, Storton, Vagana have all played both at some point. Only Atoni and Uele look out and out props. Having said, I think McMeeken will have been signed with intention of playing prop, but he'll be equally good if we do need to drop him back at any point.

The problem with playing a prop at second row is mobility. Whether someone CAN play both doesn't mean they should.

SR is vital for edge defense. Tanginoa is a good example of a big guy playing wide. He's great in attack and great in defense when someone runs at him but when the line is stretched the gap between him and centre is too great and leaves them vulnerable.
Prop hooker and 13 are all middle defenders doing the same job in defense.
SR is very different.

All the way back ??

Seems to be the trend now to run with mainly middles and only 1 or at most 2 specialist out and out props.

I think the rule changes in recent years have played a major part in that along with the death of ball handling 13s as the ball handling duties have shifted more to the fullback.

Running with 4 ball handlers on the pitch is a real challenge to keep them all effective.

I like the look of Catalans second rower tonight

I prefer him at prop

They just targeted him in defense and left him flat footed.

In all seriousness I like the fact that he can still play SR and clearly he's been out for a few weeks but I feel like he isn't involved enough compared to when he's playing in the middle.

Twice

Very harsh to attribute that to his position he’s playing.

I’d say it’s far more to do with his first game in 3 months and doing the full 80.

As for Leeds, the ref really offered Leeds a silver platter and front foot in that one.

Bentley gets up walks two steps pushing a Catalan player and ref waves 6 again to Leeds not for first time and not for first time. Catalan were snuffed out of that and weren’t allowed to generate any ruck speed.

I actually said his lack of involvement was partly to do with first game back.

But if you are going to get tired, you have more protection in the middle.

No matter what the reason, they targeted him twice and he missed both times which gave away 2 tries.

I prefer him in the middle. Just my opinion.

I agree with both of you, he was blowing out of his proverbial in those last 10 minutes and as you say it's his first game in a few months, so it's expected you're not gonna get a 100% McMeekan. I also agree with Poptart's point about the amount of involvement he has playing at SR. When he plays at Prop imo he's far more involved and he's such a big guy now he tires defences out when he's constantly taking hit-ups and making big meters, which were few and far between tonight with him being wider. Tbf If Catalans had been leading they'd have probably subbed him, but to say it was his first game in 3 months it's impressive he can still play the full 80, especially when that second half was just defensive work from them, with Leeds just putting them under pressure all half.

Also, agree about the reffing, particularly in that second half, he seemed influenced by the crowd and none of the 50/50 calls didn't go the Catalan way.

Maybe so, be interesting to see how he will go over the next few games once his match fitness gets back up. He’s certainly a big minute player wherever he plays which is good.

When Rodwell came back from injury his fitness seemed to have dipped alarmingly and he’s a young guy. Some players struggle more than others regaing fitness. However to judge a player on his first game back regardless of position is imo wrong.

I'm not judging him on that one game, I'm judging him off the times I've seen him play SR compared tp prop, plus I mentioned it was his first game back after 3 months off a few times and he did well to get through the full 80. Anyway, I've said before that I prefer him and think he has more impact as a Prop nowadays than SR. The Catalans seem to prefer him there because that's only about the 3rd time I've seen him at SR all season.

True, Rodwell first few games back he clearly lacked match fitness. Look at him now though back to being a machine.

I can’t wait to see him in a trin shirt next season.

As for Storton. He will be a good signing. Playing his part in KR’s success and another solid game from him today.