Denis clearly rates (AhVan) though and likes to have him in his backline. I think his strapping is a permanent feature and I have always thought he had some sort of chronic condition, that limits his playing time, although he played in quite a run of games at the end of the season, but that may just be me jumping to conclusions.
I have a feeling that he is in the last year of his contract, surprised to see that he is still 26 and not 27 until March, so he could well be rewarded with a new deal if he can show some consistent form. Jack has only really had competition from PAV and Paddy over the last two seasons, but now has Hulme throwing his cap into the ring, OK maybe aiming for an occasional centre berth, but he has done well on the wing. Ince too would I am sure jump at the chance of an occasional wing berth, but he has loads of time on his hands yet. So its a bit more crowded out there in 2015 in the threequarters and most certainly in the pack and we are falling over players aiming to play at 9, if you assume that White and Heremaia will be first choice (in whatever order) then we have Gore and Carberry waiting in the wings, with no obvious alternative game time to keep them fresh. Carberry could well push for back row chances, whilst Gore can turn his hand to halfback, but with Brown and Mellor nailed on to play if fit, chances there will hopefully be few and far between and if we do have gaps then there are also Glimore and Craven to consider (Heremaia also has a wealth of halfback experience. Not seen Craven in the pre-season games but I hope he has got his confidence back, as he seemed to be slipping behind the likes of Gilmore last season after his early rise to fame in our final period in the Championship.
OK there is still a bit of a gulf in class and experience between many of our first choice players and their understudies, but they do seem to be closing the gap!
