Perhaps if the prop forwards provided a platform it would make it easier for the likes of O'Connor and Johnson. I guess it is a chicken and egg thing, but if Oledski and Holroyd played close to their potential the team moves forwards a lot better. Oledski hasn't been right since his injury (playing for England carrying a knock did him no favours), and Holroyd didn't re-capture the early season form that led to him getting England recognition.
This may be crazy, but I wonder when we lost Tetevano from the rotation, the pack never looked as dominant as it did in some of those early-mid season wins against the top teams (remember, we actually beat Saints, Wigan, and Catalans in 2023).