I disagree, nobody deserves to be dropped in terms of effort and commitment but if an incoming player will improve the team and then somebody has to make way.
Take Liam Watts for example, he will definitely improve the team that was out there tonight so for me someone has to make way, probably Bowden.

Exactly

This is my take on it, too.

So people bang on all season about picking guys on form and nobody should just walk into the team, then completely change tact when it suits?

Who deserves to be dropped then?

To me no one deserves to be dropped the team is starting to come together now and why change that the guys we have in now are playing out of their skin.

Putting Watts and Westerman back in could be said to be picking players on form. Was Bowden better tonight than Watts has been in his last few games?

I'm not arguing that it's not probably the best thing to do for the team, I'm arguing that it's unfair for anyone to be dropped from tonight's team.

Nobody deserves it obviously, but this is professional sport and you play your strongest team and watts and westerman are part of our strongest team.

But couldn't you also argue that it's unfair for Westerman to lose out when he's played well all season. It wasn't his fault he missed tonight.

Since switching to the back row his form has exploded, I really hope we don't see him at prop again.

I've been banging the Westerman drum all season but I agree Pitts has earnt the shirt and there's a case for leaving Westerman's return for now. Would certainly bring Watts back for Bowden, though. That's nothing against Bowden, I just think Watts has been playing better.

Watts for Bowden. Pitts to retain his place for me.

Westerman to the bench?

Replacing who?

This competition for places is only going to push the players to perform even better. Something we've been lacking for years.

Competition for places is superb now. All down to the progress of the young players and gentles willingness to play them.

thing is we dont know who is carrying knocks.. with strength in depth we now have. Players can be rested..
its not about who drops out ! its a Squad Game..

Lynch(muttley style s)

Seriously. You can't drop either Pitts or Whiting for Westerman IMO.

Watts for Bowden
Westy for Johnstone.
Pitts retains 13 to start, when games loosened up westy comes on.

Great headache for Gentle to have .

Pitts at 13 gives us a far more balanced look in the middle and is the better option to start games than Westerman IMO.

Isn't Tickle meant to be back as well?

Yes but I wouldn't play him, no need to rush him straight back into the team plus over back rowers are playing really well. The only thing we're missing is his kicking.

I'd bring back Westerman and Watts. They only missed out due to injury and both have been in top form. It would mean Pitts doing a spell at prop at some point unfortunately.

Both players will improve us.

Just on Pitts, he has been in great form in the last month.

The pleasing aspect of the team atm is the form of players right across the board . Threequaters , Halves & Forwards all playing well. Also the players inching to get back into the side haven't been playing badly either. Great problem for Gentle to have.