Clears my mind about what we should do now. It’s got to be Hardaker in the centres and French at fullback IMO. We need that pace at full back and I’d probably have gone that way even had Gildart been fit but it’s a no brainer now.
The Gildart injury is a worry for the long term as much as anything. Once shoulder problems start, they can be difficult to get over as proven by players like Lee Mossop and Sam Burgess. At least Gildart will get a bit more of an easy time out in the centres I suppose.