And yet last year Gregson and Lang both played 20+ games. If you're good enough, you play. Smedts will never be good enough. Bews was a role player, no longer best 22. Thurlow didn't have a position. All were 18 year old draftees. Ruggles is older and has a defined position. He's a different player to Kolo. I'm not saying he will play 22 games or anything but I think he's worth a punt.
The fringe backs seem to be a lot more uncertain is all I meant to say. But I hope you're right!