I reckon we'll need new pivots again next year, because I do think Brown will only stay for the one season and Smith trying Cator at hooker suggests that Balmforth isn't in his plans, as he is a specialist hooker and would seem the obvious back up for Houghton, while Brown has a spell in the halves, so a halfback and hooker must be high priority if that is the case. I do think Russell is a competent halfback, but not really the answer unless that is the type of player our finances/budget will allow. We really could do with Jack Charles to be knocking on the door, he is really well thought of and that would be fantastic news if he can make the grade. I look at Hoy's size, speed and footwork and wonder if he wouldn't make a good centre, but I appreciate that isn't the position he has played or was signed to play, but as others have said, Walker is a better fullback and unless he has a stellar season in the halves, it wouldn't make sense to re-sign him at the end of this season.
