Forgot about Martin. You asked 2 questions, first you asked if Ellis would have had the pace to 'outstrip' the defence as Horne did? I replied that I think all our backs could.
The point of Ellis being faster, well, why would he need to be? He has a different game to Hornes. Hornes game is a running and support one, he's not as fast as he was that's were the problem lies with him.

The other poster criticised Horne's lack of pace for a 6 and that's why I asked him the question which I think was a fair one. Horne was fast enough when required last night and I don't quite agree with you when you say it was effectively a stroll in. Arguably it would be better to have a runner like Horne complementing Seymour who isn't a runner either like Ellis. Otherwise you've got 2 of the same. Moreover Ellis was outstanding with the boot last night but his ball playing and distribution wasn't any better than Horne's IMO. It may get better of course he's only just starting out.

Ellis is a great kicker

Maybe the other poster meant he's lacking pace for a running 6? I never said it was effectively a stroll in, I said that from the position Horne received the ball I'd have backed all our 3/4's or halves to have finished it. I also don't buy the one organiser one runner in the halves idea either, a link man at 6 can be just as effective alongside an organiser. I personally would play Ellis at 7 and Seymour at 6.

All I can see is,"At last,a decent kicking game."

Maybe worth playing Ellis so that he can turn rovers lumbering forwards round and totally shag em out in the last 20 with his kicks...Mind you,Sandyballs will complain that the ref allowed Ellis to much time to kick.

He won't know how to deal with the amount of time Ticks takes to kick

though Horne showed some speed actually with that try! seymour is an out n out 7 imo.

I see Ellis trying to boss the players all the time. very vocal and animated in his body language. but then as yet has not converted all that good effort into key touches with the ball in hand. whilst Seymour seems too happy to let the game happen around him but has had quite a few key touches on the ball. for instance, Ellis called the move and was in at first man for Briscoe's try last night. but Seymour put turner through in to a 2 on 1 in the corner before turner popped it to Briscoe. for me this half back parternership deferentially has legs

People say that Ellis wasn't brilliant with the ball in hand, but how else would he improve other than by getting the gametime? He showed last night that he has a phenomenal kicking game and that he has the potential to play in our halves for years to come. Remember, he's still only 22.

yep, no question

He's only been a 7 the last couple of years.

Some have said Whiting is an out and out 13 and Horney is out and out 1, yet they've played relativley few games there.

Like many have said already, Ellis' kicking game was very good. However I don't think the rest of his game was particularly good.

I really dont see Horne as a fullback either. Ok, he was voted M.O.M by the text thing last night, but I would suggest that was for his two tries. Poeple have mentioned about him being far better running at a staggered line, all I see is him getting battered on kick returns when there has been a good chase (think back to the derby when Hall went off early). In my opinion he is far better 2 or 3 men out from the play the ball and isolating defenders.

If Wade is back it would be 1. Wade, 6, Horne for me

well said

He's got a cannon for a right boot. Great kicking game and looks for yards on penalties too. One for the future but knocking on the door now too

Fwiw, Hall went off early with knee ligament damage. That's hardly your everyday, run-of-the-mill injury.

For me, I'd keep Ellis at 6. His passing may still be slightly lacking, but I think the positives of his play (such as the kicking game and decent enough defence) outweigh the 'negatives'. I also think that the more time he gets on the pitch, the more he'll improve.

For me, if McKinnon is back I'd play McKinnon at Fullback, Ellis at Stand-off and Horne on the bench.

I meant it as an example of Horne playing fullback and getting battered on kick returns. He got smashed all over that day.

I thought Ellis was quiet in the first half but really grew into the game and second half his kicking game won us the match. The good thing is should we lose Horne/Seymour for any length of time then I would have no issue with Ellis playing. He looks ready to play.

Its a nice dilemma to be in with cover we have in Horne Ellis Seymour and Heremaia when he gets back.

I think with Ellis and Nicko learning off the more experienced players could have two very good halves coming through who can do a great job for a few years!

For me Ellis has to play. Rovers have a big pack of forwards who will make lots of yards and pin us back in our own 20. Ellis's kicking game can get us out of trouble, just as Dobsons has for years when Rovers have struggled to get out of their own half. I don't think McKinnon will play on Friday anyway. I reckon he will be given a few extra days to recover

I'd be suprised if Horne play's on Friday if Mkinnon is passed fit. He had injections to play against Bradford and took a couple of hits too .

Fully Agree

this that same make up for the team i was calling for a couple of weeks ago. dont get me wrong, i like horne and think his form this year has gone a long way to shutting up the doubters. but we can only go so far without a A1 kicking game. plus, having horne on the bench is a fantastic option to change things up, depending on how the game unfolds.