James Graham has just confirmed he will retire at the end of the season.
James Graham has just confirmed he will retire at the end of the season.
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I hope Amor isn't going to Hull KR. Or at least I hope that if he is we have a decent replacement lined up. As a 3rd/4th choice prop I can't see us picking up anyone better.
I agree with YG and 49er that this is a write-off year for Lees and that we'll see something more like his real game next year. He already needed to put weight on before he suffered that injury, so I just don't think it makes sense to judge him on his form after coming back from injury lighter.
It struck me that Ashworth looked well out of shape on Monday. Who knows whether it's down to personal issues or otherwise, but he does seem to be on the outer, and at his age he probably needed to have made a bigger impact by now to stay at the club.
I like Peyroux and would like to see him stay. He can be a klutz at times, but he's full of energy and can be tough to handle. Watching him on Monday I found myself wondering if he might end his career more in the middle, like Soliola. He looks bigger these days. If so he would be handy to have around as he could cover 11, 12 and 13. I suppose it all boils down to how much money he's on. If not that much, keep. If a lot, let go.
Amor staying.
https://www.totalrl.com/st-helens-fo...o-extend-stay/
Can't say I have strong emotions one way or the other, if it's modest coin for 12 months.
I’m glad he’s staying.
Played OK this season, deserves that extra year.
Forwards win games. The backs decide by how much.
Batchelor should be taking the LMS/Amor spot.
It is also a question of developing players rather than having a steady eddie. James Harrison from Fev a case in point.
For me I would have been comfortable if he had gone.
As he is staying then LMS needs to move on.
I think there will be less players coming in compared to players going out for next season. There is already talk at the club that the squad is going to be smaller if Covid is still here in 2021.
The academy and reserves lads are a concern and they have mentioned them going out on loan to possible other Superleague/Championship clubs, that game on Monday night had put the youngsters in the shop window and I should imagine those other clubs will have a specific interest in some of those players.
In the medium term that's good for us, these young players they will stay in the game and will be playing at a higher level.
https://www.totalrl.com/st-helens-to...international/
Looks like we're adding another overseas player to our squad in Sione Mata'utia for 2021.
Originally Posted by Despondent Dave
I’m pleased Amor has got a new deal he deserves it.
I think Amor has been OK as 3rd prop.
Our squad is really starting to take shape for 2021 now. Just a quick run through of bulk of the squad (not counting the likes of those who made debuts v Salford:
Coote
Makinson
Naiqama
Percival
Grace
Lomax
Fages
Walmsley
Roby
Paasi
Matautia
Thompson
Knowles
Dodd
Lees
LMS
Bentley
Simm
Welsby
Amor
Batchelor
Smith
Eaves
Peyroux?
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The likes of Bentley have made an impact but I just don't see the same with Batchelor, he just doesn't seem to be considered unless we have dire injuries.
I think they have taken a while to decide his position, and judging by last week have settled on prop, and I thought he was quite effective. He is competing with LMS and Amor next year for the final prop spot/ putting pressure on Lees to pick up form, and it’s up to him to get into the squad
It all seems to be coming together. I think Wolfe needs credit as he has managed to replace internally this season. Giving Simm, Bentley, Welsby game time on the face of it has made our transition next year a lot more easy. Bring through Bentley for Peyroux especially was good forward thinking(pun intended)
Starting Prop Thompson/Graham => Lees
Starting Second Row 1 Taia => Thompson
Starting Second Row 2 Peyroux=> Mata'utia
Impact Prop Lees => Passi
Second Bench Prop/Second Row LMS=> Batchelor
Back up Centre Costello => Simm
Bench Prop Ashworth=> Academy
Back Rower Paulo=> Bentley
Looking at the roles in the squad for next year it makes you wonder if Thompson may end up in more of a central role. Like a modern loose forward role.
I could agree with you but then we would both be wrong.
Woolf has already spoken about Thompson playing on the left edge. He will be a direct replacement for Taia.
I'm fairly sure it'll be:
Walmsley, Lees, Paasi, LMS and Amor as props. (2 of the first 3 to start and then 2 or 3 on the bench)
Thompson, Matautia and Bentley will battle for the 2nd row starting positions with 1 on the bench.
Knowles at LF.
Walmsley
Roby
Paasi
Matuatia
Thompson
Knowles
Bentley
Amor
LMS
Lees
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