It would depend on the length of the deal for French. If it’s just another year, then I would go for the first option without a doubt.

Thompson, Cooper, Ellis, Mago, Byrne, Havard, Singleton makes us too prop heavy imo, especially when you look at our depth at centre. And for the players leaving you have to factor in the wage increases given to Faz, Byrne and Havard, likely quite substantial with the last 2.

This.

Much as I love French and would do anything to see us keep him, it would need to be for at least a couple of years if it also meant missing out on the likes of Thompson or Wardle. There's surely no debate there. French is a special player, but so is Thompson, while Wardle has a got a huge future ahead of him.

As for the other site, I stopped going on there years ago. It's all about who knows the most, and those who manage to persuade the others that they do then get a huge cult following. It's like watching a gaggle of school kids, and the abuse if you dissent is equally reminiscent of that.

Ricky Bibey has sadly passed away at the age of 40 reported this morning May he R.I.P (played rugby with his dad many moons ago)

Yes, have seen this earlier, Sad news indeed

Seen someone comment on the serious about rugby league article about Luke Thompson on their Facebook page and they’ve tagged Luke’s brother saying it’s crap.

Phil Gould has also said Thompson has no interest playing in the UK currently.

Cust doesn't live in Manchester. He's in Orrell

He's in Billinge (higher end) as is Mago and I think Field. It's Ellis who is in Manchester.

I'd be dubious of anything Phil Gould says on an issue like this. The guy gives the British game no credit whatsoever. He could never conceive that good players might actually want to be here.

Yep, that’s why I said I could be wrong.

Oh I'm no fan of his by any means - thinks he's far smarter than he actually is. But just throwing it in there FWIW. He also said that Thompson is back in Sydney and I doubt he would say that if it wasn't true.