Seems to be a regular thing on here when talking about props, Ben Evans not getting mentioned. He was more than holding his own before his injury. If it hadn't been for the injury I think he would've been pushing a place in the team with Asotasi not pulling his weight. Providing he's not lost anything as a result of it it's a huge year for him IMO.

We do seem to have short memories. He was the darling on this forum. I addition some seem to be forgetting when Morley and Carvell actually left us ... and we've still not replaced Charlie Winslade and Bill Payne.

I dont think he was ever the darling.. he was having a decent start to the season when he got the bad injury.

When one of these youngsters has a good stint and cements themselves in the 17 then fair enough... until then they are unproven first team squad players who may or may not make it.

Maybe our lack of props means we will be using a more open game plan next season, using speed ,agility & superb handling skills to blow all opposition away. If we can make that work there won't be as much need for five up the middle from big props then a kick.

Props Win Pots.

I'll go against the grain of some and say I think Westwood will make a good prop IMO.

We are still a very good prop short of being a top four club for me though.

Didn't BW play as prop a couple of seasons ago?

Westwood is definitely going to be used as a prop next season.

Smith will probably start with Hill,Clark and Sims with Currie, Hughes and Westerman.

Dodds,King,Westwood and Dwyer will leave us with Philbin and Evans both able to play prop or back row, Wilde plus Laithwaite and Harrison to return.

The interchange should cope with the bench as it reads but a few injuries and we will struggle.

[quote="morleys_deckchair"]I have to agree with all points here.

I just cant fathom why, for the 2nd year on the bounce, we are losing more props than were recruiting... and last year we were desperately short up front.

Ive been waiting for at least one more prop signing.. Now Smith says there wont be any, yet there is room in the cap, should an outstanding player become available.[/quoTe
I think you guys are missing the point re Westwood. Of course he isn't consistently having the impact of 2011/2012. His body is bruised and battered from 15 years of super league rugby therefore playing in excess of 60mins a game are going to leave him blowing hard to keep pace, where as x2 circa 20 mins spells on the pitch as a prop will allow him to play at a higher intensity whilst on the pitch. He has always done plenty of carries whilst playing second row and can handle the biff so I believe it's a good move for club and player.

Plan A will have Westwood playing through the middle, that said, we wanted to do that last year but for indifferent form for Laithwaite we had to move him back out to back row. Same with Laithwaite, I don't think he has the pace to play out wide, but it a solid defender and a big guy, good back up for the middle unit.

Ideal world id like another prop, but unless you can get one better than what we have, don't bother. The young lads deserve a shot after coming in and doing well last year.