I’ve been prepared to give Powell a chance and be reasonably patient but tonight should be the last time we see him at 7 in a Wigan shirt. He’s a good hooker if you play to his strengths of being ultra fit and competitive and give him 60+ mins a game but he hasn’t got the required passing or kicking skills to be a 7 for Wigan.

Against Cas next week we should be looking at something different. I’m not sure if that’s just Leuluai and Powell swapping back, Escare or Woods coming in at 7 (or Escare at fullback with Sam at 7) or even Lockers going in there but we can’t keep going with this set up. The ‘Switcheroo’ has been dumped for some reason and maybe it’s a case that we need to bring that back because it at least takes Powell out of the halves for a spell.

Every chance he'll pick up a ban this week for that stupid tackle at the start of the second half so we might see a change by default.

I couldn’t agree more re Powell, he’s a far better 9 than a 7. I wouldn’t swap for TL though, I’d keep TL at hooker gradually being phased out for Ganson and have 1 of 2 options;

1) Sam to #7 Escare to FB
2) Woods to #7

I haven’t seen much of Escare at HB but even so I much prefer him as a FB. Sam would be a good option to the halves, he’s spending a lot of attacking time in the line and I say just put him there. I’m glad we’ve seen the back of this silly switcheroo but what we have in its place is abysmal; nothing.

Give Escare the first go, then if that’s not work try Woods.

Kicking game was shocking tonight.

Agreed, I'd go:

FB Escare
SH S.Tomkins

S Powell (on at hooker)

Escare needs to be much stronger in defence though, that effort on Barba was apalling.

In my opinion both our starting halves are better suited to hooker than 6 or 7.

I long for the days we have done agility and pace at 6 & 7, rather than solid defence and one who can’t pass accurately and another who seems to think he is a backrow forward.

I said earlier that Powell and Williams shame the legacy of our 6 and 7 shirts. I get that the game is played differently now with split halves etc but neither of them are doing any of the basics right that mean we’ll win the big games consistently when it counts. Some of the kicking on display was just awful technique and execution.

Am I crazy for thinking we’d look better like this

Tomkins

Williams
Smith

Tommy

Powell/Escare

At least with Smith and Williams we knew what we were getting, good to great long kicking game from Smith, organising plays. Williams to play with freedom knowing Smith would take control on the last tackle.

Our halfbacks passed it to Bateman twice on the last tackle tonight.

It’s as though we go with a slightly worse option at scrum half as the years roll by. I wasn’t best pleased with Matty Smith in 2016 and thought we couldn’t really go backwards but I thought Tommy was even worse last year and Powell is on his way to topping that in 2018.

I think I’d go Lockers or Woods at scrum half next week and just give them the instruction to keep things simple and try to build us field position.

Don't think it was too bad (as a Leeds fan) but obviously hurt him so understandable sin bin in the present climate but don't think he should get a lengthy ban, thought Isa pulling at Golding's leg at the same time was more poor form and more annoyed at Williams early doors (5 mins or so) pulling off Golding's scrum cap that he went without for the remainder of the game as it was damaged. Given the issues around head damage and concussions you shouldn't rag off someone's head guard.

Great long kicking game from Smith????? Presume youndont mean Matty??? Could find the fullback from 65/70 yrds no worry.

We can but hope.

Mind you if he does cop a ban watch the debate about who Wane will pick to play half back then. My starter for 10 is Lockers. (My preferred option is Sam T). Perm any one from Lockers, Sam T, Escare or Woods. Have I missed anyone out?