Washbrook was third man in pretty much all the time, I counted one tackle in the first half where he was first man in. He missed at least two tackles (I've only watched it back until 50 minutes or so).
Sorry but his passing was slow and he isn't strong in the tackle, he's nowhere near as good at hooker than Hadley was, he's too slow.

I think you're being a bit unfair of Washbrook who played ok for mine, but I agree that Hadley is the better hooker of the two. However the back row is weaker when Hadley plays hooker. Its a little catch 22.

I would like to see Litten get a chance but the soft grounds atm aren't really his thing and I fear he would just be too easy a target in defence. Have we got any other options? I dare say Connor could play hooker to a decent standard as a stop gap, but not if Faraimo and Tuimavave are missing. It weakens the back line too much. Not sure how keen he would be on the idea either.

Litten can at least get to the tackle and not be third man in all the time (when the tackle is already effected) and is sprightly off the mark from DH. I get that Radford likes Washbrook, I get that he sees him as a safe option to fill a gap but honestly he's too slow to play dummy half (yes there were a couple of passes that were okay friday) but he makes too many errors and doesn't make breaks or bend the line or make effective tackles and his passing is still too slow and laborious.
I don't think I am being harsh, just reality.

He's a squad player these days. He wouldnt be in my team if everyone was fit. He certainly couldn't be described as dynamic, but he is a safe option and he is versatile. I thought his disribution was actually pretty good the other night. If Radford sticks with him until Houghton is back then I am OK with that.

Perfect post, Litten is a young kid and if Radford thinks he isn't quite ready to play such a pivotal position then you have to back him, how many times have we all seen Litten play 3/4, whilst Radford sees him all the time, it can't be argued that he is doing a great job bringin though the young players at the right time, so we have to trust his judgment on this one, over and who have rarely seen Litten play.

I much prefer Washy at 9 at Hadley at 23 than the other way around.

Probably only two more games until Houghton is back.

The point was though that we looked a more balanced team with Washy hooking and Hadley in the back row, not who's the better hooker between the two.
As for Litten, LR must be leaving him out for a good reason. Going on the development of Fash and Masi, I'll trust his judgement on how he brings Litten through.

I understand leaving Litten out while we are a bit light at prop. The time he is on the pitch he might be defending the middle with Matongo and Fash which wouldn't be ideal. When we have Paea and Green on the bench with him it wouldn't leave us vulnerable.

Fash is a really strong defender tbf but I get your point.

As I alluded to earlier, from what I have seen Litten's best asset is his speed out of DH getting at tired defenders. Its not something we will get too much benefit from in the current conditions. If it was June then it might be worth risking his defence for what he could bring in attack. At the moment I'm not sure the risk v reward is good enough.

You do realize we won don't you and kept them out for about an hour?

Could be wrong but I think they scored whilst Washbrook was off the pitch.

We looked a better balanced team on Friday than the week before and I think Radders got the team selection spot on.

Now when all are fit I wouldn't have Washbrook in the 17 but I think it is wrong to criticize his efforts on Friday.