He said it himself. Injury to Yates tips the balance. Doesn't mean that much though, apart from you and Laing need to stand up.
You haven't been shit tbh, you've been roughly what is expected from someone of your post rank. Never really stood up and proven yourself as a player, but been consistent, which is valuable in itself. Astele and Sweetman have on occasion shown signs of being really strong players, but because they mix it in with some humongously shit performances they are never really in contention for backrow spots.
Backrow will be assisted by the very strong open play front rowers and goat tbh. Meanwhile I'll run around being a shunt until we get the ball near your line.
C Laing will be knackered from all the front row training he is doing for GB, so won't be contesting rucks I heard...