I heard similar things in pre-season, Howarth was training hard and impressing the coaching staff etc. As you say, Howarth isn’t a hooker, never has been and never will be. His distribution is poor and slow. Has he scooted once yet in his spells at 9? So far McShane, Roby and Clarke have all dominated us at the ruck area. In answer to your question, I wouldn’t play him let anyone play him anywhere else. Fact is he isn’t good enough.
You make a valid point re the team’s performance, but you’re forgetting this is a new team. The bulk of the work we would have undertaken in pre-season would have relied vastly upon Rangi & Smith, that partnership lasted no longer than 40 minutes. We’re now having to play two scrum halves at 6 & 7 which isn’t ideal. We look devoid of ideas going forward and whilst I felt Theo and Smith looked better vs Widnes, apart from Theo’s off the cuff play we were still generally poor. Add into that Howarth’s spells at dummy half and you can see why the opposition are scoring more than us.
Other injuries haven’t helped. Rapira, Hock and Griffin have left the forwards lightweight. Meli and Sa’u have disrupted the backline and we haven’t had a settled wing/centre partnership once.
In all honesty, I’m dreading the Warrington the game this Friday which I didn’t think I would. Our defence is a massive cause for concern and I can see the Warrington backs having a field day. My head says Warrington by 22.
