Neither does Houghton but everyone seems to regard him as a great defender for some reason.

is it ever really a hooker's job to dominate the collision? Everything they do is from the floor, getting on the legs is their job.

Even if they don't fully dominate they still need to be tough enough to defend in the middle of the park. The best hooker in the world is a top class defender! Going from full back to off half and not exactly looking physically strong enough to play hooker I'm sure the big men in the game will enjoy making easy yards over him. Though is everyone who wants to see him at hooker not considered the the physicality of playing in the middle of the park?

Really? I'd say Houghton groundwork is as good anyone's in our team. He makes 40 odd tackles a game as an average! Can't really see how anyone can fault his Defence.

I've not been particularly concerned by his D. He's 6.3 n 14 n half stone. Big kid for a half at only 22 . So with some specific off season training for a impact hooking role I could see how it could work.

It's a fair point re Rankin's ability to defend in the middle because he's not carried out that role before but I think he has that mongrel and enthusiasm in him that would see him to good effect there. He's also got what we lack at acting half which is speed of thought and the skill and pace to go with it. The problem with being a great defensive 9 is that you're too knackered to think let alone apply anything remotely creative. I think Houghton and Rankin [icould[/i compliment each other pretty well used properly. I'd like to see him given a go there.

He makes a lot of tackles, mainly because the opposition target him. He rarely ever dominates a tackle, and the other team get a quick ptb because of it.



His workrate is excellent, but I have always felt we would be a better team defensively if he didn't get involved so often.

Not sure where all this Houghton bashing has come from??



2 seasons ago he was SL top tackler over the course of the full season. He consistently puts in 40+ tackles a game and often puts in an 80 minute stint. His work rate is top drawer! His attacking prowess is not of the same ilk as say James Roby but he does contribute with yards going forward from dummy half and the odd grubber or kick over the top.



As for mixing it in the middle of the park, isn't that what the big guys who surround the hooker are for???!!!

Is it really a hookers job to win collision? I'm not sure it is. What Houghton does really well is prevent a forward from finding the floor quickly by keeping him upright, allowing us to get men in the tackle and win the floor. I doubt there's video of the likes of Roby & Clark winning one on one collision.



Plenty of areas for improvement in Houghton's game, not sure defence is one.

I'm not getting at Houghton. He's not a big guy so he does okay considering. But it's not his job to be first man in trying to win the collision against big forwards. He needs to take a step back and let his forwards do that.



His workrate and enthusiasm is to be applauded. But it's not necessarily good for the team.

You might not think it's his job to be first man in the tackle but not a lot you can do if they come straight at you/target you. Last time I checked, a hooker is a forward!

To be fair, Houghton is mostly the 2nd man in the tackle..