James Bell

[paraman]

Are you dropping Batchelor or Sironen to start him at 2nd row

I did say the bench or second row which would be to cover injuries, suspensions or rotation. Sironen probably been our player of the season so far

[The.Reverand]

Don’t see that Knowles has any better engine than Bell, it’s worse if anything. Bell has surpassed him for me at the moment. Knowles has just turned into an expensive thug.

[Pasty]

Don’t see that Knowles has any better engine than Bell, it’s worse if anything. Bell has surpassed him for me at the moment. Knowles has just turned into an expensive thug.

I'm not sure that's completely fair. He is still a good player but he loses control too much in an effort to hit hard in defence. I think he would make a good defensive bench prop if he can tidy up his technique. I agree that Bell is the front runner for loose forward by quite a way

[reliable sauce]

Don’t see that Knowles has any better engine than Bell, it’s worse if anything. Bell has surpassed him for me at the moment. Knowles has just turned into an expensive thug.

B*llocks.

Knowles has been one of hardest yet most honest players in the game the past few seasons.

He’s had a few unlucky run ins with disciplinary which have blown the actual disciplinary issues way out of proportion. Yes he’s also made a couple of mistakes during that time but now he’s become a target for the disciplinary panel and ‘fans’. There are far more thuggish players out there who play dishonestly and continue to get away with it.

[The Wee Waa Womble]

Batchelor, Sironen and Bell would be my 1st choice back row at the moment, Knowles off the bench covering 8-13.

[Albion]

I am not sure where this idea has come from for Knowles to play prop. He is way too lightweight to play there I think; he is only 89kgs. Brad Fash has 10kgs on him.

[Pasty]

I am not sure where this idea has come from for Knowles to play prop. He is way too lightweight to play there I think; he is only 89kgs. Brad Fash has 10kgs on him.

How big was Andy Platt? I have a feeling he was a bit light too but he did well. I think Knowles tackles above his weight and would only do a couple of 20 minute spells. Recently some people seem to think of a loose forward as another prop and I think that's how he plays. It's not my preference but in any case, in my opinion he has to fight his way back into the team

[The Wee Waa Womble]

I am not sure where this idea has come from for Knowles to play prop. He is way too lightweight to play there I think; he is only 89kgs. Brad Fash has 10kgs on him.

Knowles is only 4kg lighter than Lees and 8cm shorter as well so probably about similar height to weight. Knowles already does the same job as Lees in defence and could do similar in attack. The suggestion has come about as a way to get more of our best players in the side when they are all actually available. Bell is going well at 13 so if you paired up Walmsley/Lees to start at prop with Paasi/Knowles interchanging then you can carry an interchange hooker like Lussick to spell Roby and a backrower like Mata'utia who can also cover at centre.

[Brian Nazareth]

How big was Andy Platt?

Pre- or post-'roids?

[Albion]

Knowles is only 4kg lighter than Lees and 8cm shorter as well so probably about similar height to weight. Knowles already does the same job as Lees in defence and could do similar in attack. The suggestion has come about as a way to get more of our best players in the side when they are all actually available. Bell is going well at 13 so if you paired up Walmsley/Lees to start at prop with Paasi/Knowles interchanging then you can carry an interchange hooker like Lussick to spell Roby and a backrower like Mata'utia who can also cover at centre.

I suppose you are right it is not all about size and I get the logic, but look at they way Lees carries it compared with Knowles. Its night and day. Maybe that's what I should have said rather than bring weight into it. I feel it is too much square peg round hole.

[Pasty]

Pre- or post-'roids?

Hmmm, I didn't take that into account, but its important to get to the bottom of it

[notawiginfan]

Was talking about this the other day to someone - I think Bell stays at 13 in my strongest 17 now and Knowles becomes part of the prop rotation at the expense of LMS. I don't think you can drop Bell and Knowles needs to work his way back into being first choice 13 in my opinion, if that's what he wants.

Walmsley
Roby
Knowles/Lees
Batchelor
Sironen
Bell

Lussick
Matautia
Paasi
Knowles/Lees

Alternatively you leave out one of the three 2nd rowers but I can't see him doing that.

I think it's more what wello wants from knowles more than what Knowles has to do to work his way back.

[Belgian Saint]

B*llocks.

Knowles has been one of hardest yet most honest players in the game the past few seasons.

He’s had a few unlucky run ins with disciplinary which have blown the actual disciplinary issues way out of proportion. Yes he’s also made a couple of mistakes during that time but now he’s become a target for the disciplinary panel and ‘fans’. There are far more thuggish players out there who play dishonestly and continue to get away with it.

Written with a lack of hysteria.

[KentishBarry]

I am not sure where this idea has come from for Knowles to play prop. He is way too lightweight to play there I think; he is only 89kgs. Brad Fash has 10kgs on him.

Wayne Bannett?

[CGSaint]

Knowles played for England at prop so clearly he is suited for that position..

I think it would be his most effective position. Like for like in defence for Lees, although there is something to be said for having both of them on the field for as long as possible.

If Knowles gets back to anywhere like his best. Bell coming on later to replace him at 13 could also be shrewd move.. Adding some pace and creativity

[Pasty]

Knowles played for England at prop so clearly he is suited for that position..

I think it would be his most effective position. Like for like in defence for Lees, although there is something to be said for having both of them on the field for as long as possible.

If Knowles gets back to anywhere like his best. Bell coming on later to replace him at 13 could also be shrewd move.. Adding some pace and creativity

Does Knowles usually play a full 80 minutes when he plays loose forward? I don’t think he does, but I’m not sure. I think he usually gets a rest wherever he plays, which is probably needed given the way he defends. He defends like a prop. I think his best fit will be as a prop, unless we get a run of injuries. He can play anywhere in the pack so he is very valuable but I don’t think he is the best loose forward I’ve ever seen, even though he is obviously a great generic forward. Bell is an 80 minute player.

[grungellamas]

B*llocks.

Knowles has been one of hardest yet most honest players in the game the past few seasons.

He’s had a few unlucky run ins with disciplinary which have blown the actual disciplinary issues way out of proportion. Yes he’s also made a couple of mistakes during that time but now he’s become a target for the disciplinary panel and ‘fans’. There are far more thuggish players out there who play dishonestly and continue to get away with it.

Agree with you.