diff --git a/changelog.d/7172.misc b/changelog.d/7172.misc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ffecdf97fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/7172.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Use `stream.current_token()` and remove `stream_positions()`.
diff --git a/synapse/app/generic_worker.py b/synapse/app/generic_worker.py
index 0ace7b787d..97b9b81237 100644
--- a/synapse/app/generic_worker.py
+++ b/synapse/app/generic_worker.py
@@ -413,12 +413,6 @@ class GenericWorkerTyping(object):
         # map room IDs to sets of users currently typing
         self._room_typing = {}
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        # We must update this typing token from the response of the previous
-        # sync. In particular, the stream id may "reset" back to zero/a low
-        # value which we *must* use for the next replication request.
-        return {"typing": self._latest_room_serial}
-
     def process_replication_rows(self, token, rows):
         if self._latest_room_serial > token:
             # The master has gone backwards. To prevent inconsistent data, just
@@ -658,13 +652,6 @@ class GenericWorkerReplicationHandler(ReplicationDataHandler):
         )
         await self.process_and_notify(stream_name, token, rows)
 
-    def get_streams_to_replicate(self):
-        args = super(GenericWorkerReplicationHandler, self).get_streams_to_replicate()
-        args.update(self.typing_handler.stream_positions())
-        if self.send_handler:
-            args.update(self.send_handler.stream_positions())
-        return args
-
     async def process_and_notify(self, stream_name, token, rows):
         try:
             if self.send_handler:
@@ -799,9 +786,6 @@ class FederationSenderHandler(object):
     def wake_destination(self, server: str):
         self.federation_sender.wake_destination(server)
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        return {"federation": self.federation_position}
-
     async def process_replication_rows(self, stream_name, token, rows):
         # The federation stream contains things that we want to send out, e.g.
         # presence, typing, etc.
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/_base.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/_base.py
index 751c799d94..5d7c8871a4 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/_base.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/_base.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 import logging
-from typing import Dict, Optional
+from typing import Optional
 
 import six
 
@@ -49,19 +49,6 @@ class BaseSlavedStore(CacheInvalidationWorkerStore):
 
         self.hs = hs
 
-    def stream_positions(self) -> Dict[str, int]:
-        """
-        Get the current positions of all the streams this store wants to subscribe to
-
-        Returns:
-            map from stream name to the most recent update we have for
-            that stream (ie, the point we want to start replicating from)
-        """
-        pos = {}
-        if self._cache_id_gen:
-            pos["caches"] = self._cache_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        return pos
-
     def get_cache_stream_token(self):
         if self._cache_id_gen:
             return self._cache_id_gen.get_current_token()
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/account_data.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/account_data.py
index ebe94909cb..65e54b1c71 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/account_data.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/account_data.py
@@ -32,14 +32,6 @@ class SlavedAccountDataStore(TagsWorkerStore, AccountDataWorkerStore, BaseSlaved
     def get_max_account_data_stream_id(self):
         return self._account_data_id_gen.get_current_token()
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        result = super(SlavedAccountDataStore, self).stream_positions()
-        position = self._account_data_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        result["user_account_data"] = position
-        result["room_account_data"] = position
-        result["tag_account_data"] = position
-        return result
-
     def process_replication_rows(self, stream_name, token, rows):
         if stream_name == "tag_account_data":
             self._account_data_id_gen.advance(token)
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/deviceinbox.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/deviceinbox.py
index 0c237c6e0f..c923751e50 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/deviceinbox.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/deviceinbox.py
@@ -43,11 +43,6 @@ class SlavedDeviceInboxStore(DeviceInboxWorkerStore, BaseSlavedStore):
             expiry_ms=30 * 60 * 1000,
         )
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        result = super(SlavedDeviceInboxStore, self).stream_positions()
-        result["to_device"] = self._device_inbox_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        return result
-
     def process_replication_rows(self, stream_name, token, rows):
         if stream_name == "to_device":
             self._device_inbox_id_gen.advance(token)
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/devices.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/devices.py
index 23b1650e41..58fb0eaae3 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/devices.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/devices.py
@@ -48,16 +48,6 @@ class SlavedDeviceStore(EndToEndKeyWorkerStore, DeviceWorkerStore, BaseSlavedSto
             "DeviceListFederationStreamChangeCache", device_list_max
         )
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        result = super(SlavedDeviceStore, self).stream_positions()
-        # The user signature stream uses the same stream ID generator as the
-        # device list stream, so set them both to the device list ID
-        # generator's current token.
-        current_token = self._device_list_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        result[DeviceListsStream.NAME] = current_token
-        result[UserSignatureStream.NAME] = current_token
-        return result
-
     def process_replication_rows(self, stream_name, token, rows):
         if stream_name == DeviceListsStream.NAME:
             self._device_list_id_gen.advance(token)
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/events.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/events.py
index e73342c657..15011259df 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/events.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/events.py
@@ -93,12 +93,6 @@ class SlavedEventStore(
     def get_room_min_stream_ordering(self):
         return self._backfill_id_gen.get_current_token()
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        result = super(SlavedEventStore, self).stream_positions()
-        result["events"] = self._stream_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        result["backfill"] = -self._backfill_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        return result
-
     def process_replication_rows(self, stream_name, token, rows):
         if stream_name == "events":
             self._stream_id_gen.advance(token)
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/groups.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/groups.py
index 2d4fd08cf5..01bcf0e882 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/groups.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/groups.py
@@ -37,11 +37,6 @@ class SlavedGroupServerStore(GroupServerWorkerStore, BaseSlavedStore):
     def get_group_stream_token(self):
         return self._group_updates_id_gen.get_current_token()
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        result = super(SlavedGroupServerStore, self).stream_positions()
-        result["groups"] = self._group_updates_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        return result
-
     def process_replication_rows(self, stream_name, token, rows):
         if stream_name == "groups":
             self._group_updates_id_gen.advance(token)
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/presence.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/presence.py
index ad8f0c15a9..fae3125072 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/presence.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/presence.py
@@ -41,15 +41,6 @@ class SlavedPresenceStore(BaseSlavedStore):
     def get_current_presence_token(self):
         return self._presence_id_gen.get_current_token()
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        result = super(SlavedPresenceStore, self).stream_positions()
-
-        if self.hs.config.use_presence:
-            position = self._presence_id_gen.get_current_token()
-            result["presence"] = position
-
-        return result
-
     def process_replication_rows(self, stream_name, token, rows):
         if stream_name == "presence":
             self._presence_id_gen.advance(token)
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/push_rule.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/push_rule.py
index eebd5a1fb6..6138796da4 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/push_rule.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/push_rule.py
@@ -37,11 +37,6 @@ class SlavedPushRuleStore(SlavedEventStore, PushRulesWorkerStore):
     def get_max_push_rules_stream_id(self):
         return self._push_rules_stream_id_gen.get_current_token()
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        result = super(SlavedPushRuleStore, self).stream_positions()
-        result["push_rules"] = self._push_rules_stream_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        return result
-
     def process_replication_rows(self, stream_name, token, rows):
         if stream_name == "push_rules":
             self._push_rules_stream_id_gen.advance(token)
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/pushers.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/pushers.py
index bce8a3d115..67be337945 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/pushers.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/pushers.py
@@ -28,11 +28,6 @@ class SlavedPusherStore(PusherWorkerStore, BaseSlavedStore):
             db_conn, "pushers", "id", extra_tables=[("deleted_pushers", "stream_id")]
         )
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        result = super(SlavedPusherStore, self).stream_positions()
-        result["pushers"] = self._pushers_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        return result
-
     def get_pushers_stream_token(self):
         return self._pushers_id_gen.get_current_token()
 
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/receipts.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/receipts.py
index d40dc6e1f5..993432edcb 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/receipts.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/receipts.py
@@ -42,11 +42,6 @@ class SlavedReceiptsStore(ReceiptsWorkerStore, BaseSlavedStore):
     def get_max_receipt_stream_id(self):
         return self._receipts_id_gen.get_current_token()
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        result = super(SlavedReceiptsStore, self).stream_positions()
-        result["receipts"] = self._receipts_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        return result
-
     def invalidate_caches_for_receipt(self, room_id, receipt_type, user_id):
         self.get_receipts_for_user.invalidate((user_id, receipt_type))
         self._get_linearized_receipts_for_room.invalidate_many((room_id,))
diff --git a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/room.py b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/room.py
index 3a20f45316..10dda8708f 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/slave/storage/room.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/slave/storage/room.py
@@ -30,11 +30,6 @@ class RoomStore(RoomWorkerStore, BaseSlavedStore):
     def get_current_public_room_stream_id(self):
         return self._public_room_id_gen.get_current_token()
 
-    def stream_positions(self):
-        result = super(RoomStore, self).stream_positions()
-        result["public_rooms"] = self._public_room_id_gen.get_current_token()
-        return result
-
     def process_replication_rows(self, stream_name, token, rows):
         if stream_name == "public_rooms":
             self._public_room_id_gen.advance(token)
diff --git a/synapse/replication/tcp/client.py b/synapse/replication/tcp/client.py
index 2d07b8b2d0..5c28fd4ac3 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/tcp/client.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/tcp/client.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 """
 
 import logging
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Dict
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
 
 from twisted.internet.protocol import ReconnectingClientFactory
 
@@ -100,23 +100,6 @@ class ReplicationDataHandler:
         """
         self.store.process_replication_rows(stream_name, token, rows)
 
-    def get_streams_to_replicate(self) -> Dict[str, int]:
-        """Called when a new connection has been established and we need to
-        subscribe to streams.
-
-        Returns:
-            map from stream name to the most recent update we have for
-            that stream (ie, the point we want to start replicating from)
-        """
-        args = self.store.stream_positions()
-        user_account_data = args.pop("user_account_data", None)
-        room_account_data = args.pop("room_account_data", None)
-        if user_account_data:
-            args["account_data"] = user_account_data
-        elif room_account_data:
-            args["account_data"] = room_account_data
-        return args
-
     async def on_position(self, stream_name: str, token: int):
         self.store.process_replication_rows(stream_name, token, [])
 
diff --git a/synapse/replication/tcp/handler.py b/synapse/replication/tcp/handler.py
index 6f7054d5af..d72f3d0cf9 100644
--- a/synapse/replication/tcp/handler.py
+++ b/synapse/replication/tcp/handler.py
@@ -314,15 +314,7 @@ class ReplicationCommandHandler:
             self._pending_batches.pop(cmd.stream_name, [])
 
             # Find where we previously streamed up to.
-            current_token = self._replication_data_handler.get_streams_to_replicate().get(
-                cmd.stream_name
-            )
-            if current_token is None:
-                logger.warning(
-                    "Got POSITION for stream we're not subscribed to: %s",
-                    cmd.stream_name,
-                )
-                return
+            current_token = stream.current_token()
 
             # If the position token matches our current token then we're up to
             # date and there's nothing to do. Otherwise, fetch all updates
diff --git a/tests/replication/tcp/streams/_base.py b/tests/replication/tcp/streams/_base.py
index 83e16cfe3d..8c104f8d1d 100644
--- a/tests/replication/tcp/streams/_base.py
+++ b/tests/replication/tcp/streams/_base.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 # limitations under the License.
 
 import logging
-from typing import Any, Dict, List, Optional, Tuple
+from typing import Any, List, Optional, Tuple
 
 import attr
 
@@ -22,13 +22,15 @@ from twisted.internet.interfaces import IConsumer, IPullProducer, IReactorTime
 from twisted.internet.task import LoopingCall
 from twisted.web.http import HTTPChannel
 
-from synapse.app.generic_worker import GenericWorkerServer
+from synapse.app.generic_worker import (
+    GenericWorkerReplicationHandler,
+    GenericWorkerServer,
+)
 from synapse.http.site import SynapseRequest
-from synapse.replication.slave.storage._base import BaseSlavedStore
-from synapse.replication.tcp.client import ReplicationDataHandler
 from synapse.replication.tcp.handler import ReplicationCommandHandler
 from synapse.replication.tcp.protocol import ClientReplicationStreamProtocol
 from synapse.replication.tcp.resource import ReplicationStreamProtocolFactory
+from synapse.server import HomeServer
 from synapse.util import Clock
 
 from tests import unittest
@@ -77,7 +79,7 @@ class BaseStreamTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self._server_transport = None
 
     def _build_replication_data_handler(self):
-        return TestReplicationDataHandler(self.worker_hs.get_datastore())
+        return TestReplicationDataHandler(self.worker_hs)
 
     def reconnect(self):
         if self._client_transport:
@@ -172,32 +174,20 @@ class BaseStreamTestCase(unittest.HomeserverTestCase):
         self.assertEqual(request.method, b"GET")
 
 
-class TestReplicationDataHandler(ReplicationDataHandler):
+class TestReplicationDataHandler(GenericWorkerReplicationHandler):
     """Drop-in for ReplicationDataHandler which just collects RDATA rows"""
 
-    def __init__(self, store: BaseSlavedStore):
-        super().__init__(store)
-
-        # streams to subscribe to: map from stream id to position
-        self.stream_positions = {}  # type: Dict[str, int]
+    def __init__(self, hs: HomeServer):
+        super().__init__(hs)
 
         # list of received (stream_name, token, row) tuples
         self.received_rdata_rows = []  # type: List[Tuple[str, int, Any]]
 
-    def get_streams_to_replicate(self):
-        return self.stream_positions
-
     async def on_rdata(self, stream_name, token, rows):
         await super().on_rdata(stream_name, token, rows)
         for r in rows:
             self.received_rdata_rows.append((stream_name, token, r))
 
-        if (
-            stream_name in self.stream_positions
-            and token > self.stream_positions[stream_name]
-        ):
-            self.stream_positions[stream_name] = token
-
 
 @attr.s()
 class OneShotRequestFactory:
diff --git a/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_events.py b/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_events.py
index 1fa28084f9..8bd67bb9f1 100644
--- a/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_events.py
+++ b/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_events.py
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ class EventsStreamTestCase(BaseStreamTestCase):
         self.user_tok = self.login("u1", "pass")
 
         self.reconnect()
-        self.test_handler.stream_positions["events"] = 0
 
         self.room_id = self.helper.create_room_as(tok=self.user_tok)
         self.test_handler.received_rdata_rows.clear()
@@ -80,8 +79,12 @@ class EventsStreamTestCase(BaseStreamTestCase):
         self.reconnect()
         self.replicate()
 
-        # we should have received all the expected rows in the right order
-        received_rows = self.test_handler.received_rdata_rows
+        # we should have received all the expected rows in the right order (as
+        # well as various cache invalidation updates which we ignore)
+        received_rows = [
+            row for row in self.test_handler.received_rdata_rows if row[0] == "events"
+        ]
+
         for event in events:
             stream_name, token, row = received_rows.pop(0)
             self.assertEqual("events", stream_name)
@@ -184,7 +187,8 @@ class EventsStreamTestCase(BaseStreamTestCase):
         self.reconnect()
         self.replicate()
 
-        # now we should have received all the expected rows in the right order.
+        # we should have received all the expected rows in the right order (as
+        # well as various cache invalidation updates which we ignore)
         #
         # we expect:
         #
@@ -193,7 +197,9 @@ class EventsStreamTestCase(BaseStreamTestCase):
         #       of the states that got reverted.
         # - two rows for state2
 
-        received_rows = self.test_handler.received_rdata_rows
+        received_rows = [
+            row for row in self.test_handler.received_rdata_rows if row[0] == "events"
+        ]
 
         # first check the first two rows, which should be state1
 
@@ -334,9 +340,11 @@ class EventsStreamTestCase(BaseStreamTestCase):
         self.reconnect()
         self.replicate()
 
-        # we should have received all the expected rows in the right order
-
-        received_rows = self.test_handler.received_rdata_rows
+        # we should have received all the expected rows in the right order (as
+        # well as various cache invalidation updates which we ignore)
+        received_rows = [
+            row for row in self.test_handler.received_rdata_rows if row[0] == "events"
+        ]
         self.assertGreaterEqual(len(received_rows), len(events))
         for i in range(NUM_USERS):
             # for each user, we expect the PL event row, followed by state rows for
diff --git a/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_receipts.py b/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_receipts.py
index c122b8589c..df332ee679 100644
--- a/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_receipts.py
+++ b/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_receipts.py
@@ -31,9 +31,6 @@ class ReceiptsStreamTestCase(BaseStreamTestCase):
     def test_receipt(self):
         self.reconnect()
 
-        # make the client subscribe to the receipts stream
-        self.test_handler.stream_positions.update({"receipts": 0})
-
         # tell the master to send a new receipt
         self.get_success(
             self.hs.get_datastore().insert_receipt(
diff --git a/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_typing.py b/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_typing.py
index 4d354a9db8..e8d17ca68a 100644
--- a/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_typing.py
+++ b/tests/replication/tcp/streams/test_typing.py
@@ -38,9 +38,6 @@ class TypingStreamTestCase(BaseStreamTestCase):
 
         self.reconnect()
 
-        # make the client subscribe to the typing stream
-        self.test_handler.stream_positions.update({"typing": 0})
-
         typing._push_update(member=RoomMember(room_id, USER_ID), typing=True)
 
         self.reactor.advance(0)