Oliver Holmes : Sun Mar 17, 2024 8:37 pm  

31 years old. Born in Castleford, Second Row Forward, with one solitary England cap. He spent 11 years with his home town club, before a relatively unsuccessful stint with the Warrington Wolves. Hated by the Wire folk, he made the move to the Leigh Leopards along with a raft of other Warrington players for what would be the magnificent 2023 season.

Holmes would become a regular in the squad, but was unable to nail down a starting place, with Joe Wardle and Jack Hughes being preferred as partners for Kai O'Donnell.

2024 Season has seen Holmes not being selected for the first three games. Media reports suggested he might be loaned out, but instead, he received a recall to the bench for the trip to Hull FC. A brace of tries and stellar second half performance have put Olly back in the shop window.

Always a popular figure amongst my family, he was previously known for providing Corey Norman with a warm cavity for his hand/finger and the semi-final skinning of Jack Wellsby for Leigh's first try.

His presence is reassuring without knowing what it is that he provides for the team. I have undertaken a little research and have discovered that of the 23 games he has played for Leigh, the Leopards have won 16 times. To me, he is a talisman, and must play when he is fit.

Re: Oliver Holmes : Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:30 am  

For me he has played himself into the starting 17. He has always been a grafter and with that he looks quicker and fitter than last season. Actually reminds me a lot of Kia in the way that he does way more work and has more effect in defence and attack than is obvious unless you are looking for it.
Second half he was outstanding with his work rate.

Re: Oliver Holmes : Mon Mar 18, 2024 12:28 pm  

At the start of last season I felt he was the forward who got gassed the quickest but he got himself up to speed pretty quickly.

He's pretty much the epitome of the not flashy but solid and dependable squad player every team needs

Re: Oliver Holmes : Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:08 pm  

Player stats are on the Super League website. Holmes made 171 metres in the game, which is huge for a forward coming off the bench. I'd be looking to have Mulhern, Amone, Asiata, Trout, Norman and Holmes as the first choice middles in the 17 when everyone is fit.

That said, Holmes was playing on the right edge when we went on a long winning run last season, so not sure why he never got his place back, behind Hughes and then Halton. If he is to stay in the middle, we should get Nakubuwei off the books and free up an overseas spot.