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EagleEyePie wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 8:11 am I think we're looking fairly strong for next year but there's a noticeable lack of depth at second row with Isa out of contract and Pearce-Paul leaving.

We've seen from games this year that Smithies isn't as effective when playing there (and should be nailed on first choice at 13 anyway) and Shorrocks is at best a stand-in because he doesn't have the size to be an effective attacking threat there. We've seen enough from him to know that he's a 13 too.

Some have said that Walters will play back row but I'm not sure that makes a lot of sense. If he was better at second row I don't think Leeds would have moved him to prop for the last couple of years. He seems like an obvious option if we need cover but we need a recognised second row.

Our only out and out back rowers are Farrell and Nsemba. The problem with Nsemba is he hasn't played a full game in Super League this year. He gets 10 minutes most games and he's not really been tested by having to play a full 80, which these days your back row should be able to do. We know he's a bit rough around the edges and that would make it a big risk to go into next year expecting him to be first choice.

I think that's the biggest hole in the squad right now. At our best we've always had a back row that's as good as, or often better than, any other team in the league. Bring in a good back row that we could get 80 minutes out of and there's less of a need to move players around to fill gaps and the team looks a lot stronger.

EagleEyePie wrote: ↑Mon Aug 14, 2023 8:11 am I think we're looking fairly strong for next year but there's a noticeable lack of depth at second row with Isa out of contract and Pearce-Paul leaving.

We've seen from games this year that Smithies isn't as effective when playing there (and should be nailed on first choice at 13 anyway) and Shorrocks is at best a stand-in because he doesn't have the size to be an effective attacking threat there. We've seen enough from him to know that he's a 13 too.

Some have said that Walters will play back row but I'm not sure that makes a lot of sense. If he was better at second row I don't think Leeds would have moved him to prop for the last couple of years. He seems like an obvious option if we need cover but we need a recognised second row.

Our only out and out back rowers are Farrell and Nsemba. The problem with Nsemba is he hasn't played a full game in Super League this year. He gets 10 minutes most games and he's not really been tested by having to play a full 80, which these days your back row should be able to do. We know he's a bit rough around the edges and that would make it a big risk to go into next year expecting him to be first choice.

I think that's the biggest hole in the squad right now. At our best we've always had a back row that's as good as, or often better than, any other team in the league. Bring in a good back row that we could get 80 minutes out of and there's less of a need to move players around to fill gaps and the team looks a lot stronger.

DaveO wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 10:09 am I originally saw Walters as another prop but now we have signed Dupree, Tiaki Chan, have Hill coming through and have Harvard, Byrne, Cooper and maybe even still have Mago that is six or seven props for 2024 so I can't see Walters playing anywhere but the second row.

That still leaves us a bit exposed to injury/suspensions though as even with Walters in the second row that just gives us Faz, Nsemba and Walters with Shorrocks as a back up (not that he's that good there as other have pointed out)

Charriots Offiah wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 10:18 am

DaveO wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 10:09 am I originally saw Walters as another prop but now we have signed Dupree, Tiaki Chan, have Hill coming through and have Harvard, Byrne, Cooper and maybe even still have Mago that is six or seven props for 2024 so I can't see Walters playing anywhere but the second row.

That still leaves us a bit exposed to injury/suspensions though as even with Walters in the second row that just gives us Faz, Nsemba and Walters with Shorrocks as a back up (not that he's that good there as other have pointed out)

Ellis as well. I don’t think Mago will be at Wigan next season and I am confident that there will be more signings.