Looking at the squad I think we need a lot of the question marks that hangover it to be resounding successes if we are to finish in the top 8.
The spine is my biggest area of concern.
9 I’m most concerned about, it’s such an important position and we lack proven quality we have Hood and I’m not sure what more we can expect from him. Doyle looks promising but more in the Smith impact type role. A dominant 9 is top of the list for recruitment for 2026.
Russell a bit of an unknown. Showed signs of going well but also been anonymous at Giants at times. Hopefully a new club, and a consistent run of games rather than him dropping in and out of the team brings out the best in him.
Truman at his best is a very good player. I personally like him more as the organising half back than the 5/8th role it looks like he will be playing for us but he is capable of playing both to a very high level. The obvious issue is injuries if he can get a run of games he will be very influential on where we finish in 2025.
Full back, less concerned as Max is a good full back and I think a year in the Championship will have done him the world of good. Pace and defence were questioned when we were last in SL and whilst there is only so much you can do with pace I think positionally and defensively he’s matured since his last season in SL.
Rourke has achieved a level of performance last year that we haven’t seen from a Trinity 1 in SL maybe ever. The question mark is was it just a freak purple patch of form or can he back it up for more than 15 games in his second season in SL. Max rightfully starts at 1 but if doesn’t hit the ground running and Rourke does he could find himself under a lot of pressure to hold on to that shirt.
I would also add Rourke probably suits our halves partnership in style better than Max.
It’s going to be very interesting to see how this team settles down over the first 3-4 months and who the starting 17 is for round 12.
