Re: Rumours thread : Tue May 07, 2024 11:22 am  

Looking at who we have signed up we look to have 15-17 signed. There will likely be anywhere between 10-13 players to be announced over coming weeks/months.

Very interested to see who but there are a few positions we do need quality in.

I expect Mckmeeken to play second row where he’s played 200 games and returned back to SR this season. Luckily a position we need to find quality in.

Unpopular opinion but Hardaker would be a good signing for his rugby ability. He’s a good centre. He’s back end of his career and the leash would have to be tight though. I’d be fine if Powell thinks he’s worth it, I’d also be fine if not. It would be a very short term signing though and I’d be as happy to keep Thornley another season who’s a model pro.

Re: Rumours thread : Tue May 07, 2024 11:42 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Looking at who we have signed up we look to have 15-17 signed. There will likely be anywhere between 10-13 players to be announced over coming weeks/months.

Very interested to see who but there are a few positions we do need quality in.

I expect Mckmeeken to play second row where he’s played 200 games and returned back to SR this season. Luckily a position we need to find quality in.

Unpopular opinion but Hardaker would be a good signing for his rugby ability. He’s a good centre. He’s back end of his career and the leash would have to be tight though. I’d be fine if Powell thinks he’s worth it, I’d also be fine if not. It would be a very short term signing though and I’d be as happy to keep Thornley another season who’s a model pro.

Funny how we all see things differently .
I would leave McMeeken at prop and I wouldnt touch Hardaker with the proverbial barge pole. Just the type of player we dont want at the club.

Re: Rumours thread : Tue May 07, 2024 11:48 am  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Looking at who we have signed up we look to have 15-17 signed. There will likely be anywhere between 10-13 players to be announced over coming weeks/months.

Very interested to see who but there are a few positions we do need quality in.

I expect Mckmeeken to play second row where he’s played 200 games and returned back to SR this season. Luckily a position we need to find quality in.

Unpopular opinion but Hardaker would be a good signing for his rugby ability. He’s a good centre. He’s back end of his career and the leash would have to be tight though. I’d be fine if Powell thinks he’s worth it, I’d also be fine if not. It would be a very short term signing though and I’d be as happy to keep Thornley another season who’s a model pro.

We all see things differently- I would leave McMeeken at prop and I wouldn't touch Hardaker with the proverbial barge pole.
He's just the type of player we dont want in the squad.

[PopTart]

Re: Rumours thread : Tue May 07, 2024 11:58 am  

1315trinity wrote:

We all see things differently- I would leave McMeeken at prop and I wouldn't touch Hardaker with the proverbial barge pole.
He's just the type of player we dont want in the squad.

I agree. All the games I've seen McMeekan play this season where he's been the best forward on the field have been at prop.

Hardaker has skills there is no doubt, but we are building a team and Hardaker is a team spirit killer. Powell knows him well though so I'm sure he'll make a good decision.

Re: Rumours thread : Tue May 07, 2024 12:47 pm  

PopTart wrote:

I agree. All the games I've seen McMeekan play this season where he's been the best forward on the field have been at prop.

Hardaker has skills there is no doubt, but we are building a team and Hardaker is a team spirit killer. Powell knows him well though so I'm sure he'll make a good decision.

I’ve watched a few Catalans games this season where Mckmeekem has played very well at second row such as vs hull kr, Warrington and hull fc. He also looked amongst their best players against Wigan at SR despite the loss.

He’s obviously good at SR or prop but far more experienced at SR with 200 games there out of his 250 and we massively need some second rowers for next season which is why I put him there. That may change but as it stands we have 0 second rowers signed for next season other than Mckmeeken.

I have confidence in the coaching set up to make the right decision but I’m excited as I think he’s a quality player.

With Hardaker like I say he’s a good player on the pitch and would offer the cover at full back too if needed but that’s one for Powell to answer as a lot has been made about having a professional environment.

Re: Rumours thread : Tue May 07, 2024 12:53 pm  

Areas we need to improve for SL, 2, 3, 4, possibly 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13.

I don't imagine Ashurst and Pitts will be around, we need better than Lino, Gale will retire, McGillivary will retire. Hood is OK at this level but we need better for SL. Doyle/Smith may get there but their not at the level needed yet. Prop is the only position where we're well, I reckoned they would compete in SL too.

Re: Rumours thread : Tue May 07, 2024 12:55 pm  

Looks like we're well on the way with recruitment for next season. This is how I have us looking for next season, with a few of the rumours thrown in.

Full Back - Jowitt
Wing - Walsmley (Johnstone, Matty Russell)
Centre - Pratt (Cam Scott)
Halves - Lino, Lawford (Oliver Russell)
Props/Loose - Atoni, Uele, Vagana, McMeeken, Rodwell, Cozza, Bain
Hooker - Smith (Doyle)
Second Row - Boothroyd (Storton, Griffin)

Then there's Isaac Shaw, Noah Booth and Joe Law in or around the squad but I'm not sure where we're at in terms of contacts.

We need some full back cover and a quality centre in my opinion, and Hardaker would provide both but whether we'd want him or not is a different matter. I'd like another half but looks unlikely with Lino still having two years left. Pack doesn't look too far off, maybe another prop/second row and a decent hooker to go with Doyle and Smith.

Re: Rumours thread : Tue May 07, 2024 1:40 pm  

imwakefieldtillidie wrote:

Looks like we're well on the way with recruitment for next season. This is how I have us looking for next season, with a few of the rumours thrown in.

Full Back - Jowitt
Wing - Walsmley (Johnstone, Matty Russell)
Centre - Pratt (Cam Scott)
Halves - Lino, Lawford (Oliver Russell)
Props/Loose - Atoni, Uele, Vagana, McMeeken, Rodwell, Cozza, Bain
Hooker - Smith (Doyle)
Second Row - Boothroyd (Storton, Griffin)

Then there's Isaac Shaw, Noah Booth and Joe Law in or around the squad but I'm not sure where we're at in terms of contacts.

We need some full back cover and a quality centre in my opinion, and Hardaker would provide both but whether we'd want him or not is a different matter. I'd like another half but looks unlikely with Lino still having two years left. Pack doesn't look two far off, maybe another prop/second row and a decent hooker to go with Doyle and Smith.

Boothroyd I don’t think will be here as over quota. I’m not sure Griffin will be either.

For the full back and half cover I’d look no further than Hampshire. Offers cover wing too so would really drive competition for places as he’s improved as a half from watching his recent Wigan games.

I think Hood looks fitter and better this year and if there’s a lack of good 9s available I think another year would be okay while we look or Doyle/Smith progress further.

That list needs a lot of quality and cover adding. I’m really looking forward to seeing who we sign. I’d be happy with Storton as I rate him. Would be happy to see Mckmeeken and Storton in our second row next season.

Think the props will be Rodwell, Atoni, Uele and Vagana with Bain/Cozza rotating at 13. Still think we need a prop or two to replace Bowden and maybe Shaw if they’re going.

[PopTart]

Re: Rumours thread : Tue May 07, 2024 1:58 pm  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Boothroyd I don’t think will be here as over quota. I’m not sure Griffin will be either.

For the full back and half cover I’d look no further than Hampshire. Offers cover wing too so would really drive competition for places as he’s improved as a half from watching his recent Wigan games.

I think Hood looks fitter and better this year and if there’s a lack of good 9s available I think another year would be okay while we look or Doyle/Smith progress further.

That list needs a lot of quality and cover adding. I’m really looking forward to seeing who we sign. I’d be happy with Storton as I rate him. Would be happy to see Mckmeeken and Storton in our second row next season.

Think the props will be Rodwell, Atoni, Uele and Vagana with Bain/Cozza rotating at 13. Still think we need a prop or two to replace Bowden and maybe Shaw if they’re going.

My problem areas in that team us half back and hooker. I like all the players but none of them are dominant players who will run the team.
It needs a player like Jackson Hastings when he came over who can dominate a game.

Re: Rumours thread : Tue May 07, 2024 2:01 pm  

Trojan Horse wrote:

Boothroyd I don’t think will be here as over quota. I’m not sure Griffin will be either.

For the full back and half cover I’d look no further than Hampshire. Offers cover wing too so would really drive competition for places as he’s improved as a half from watching his recent Wigan games.

I think Hood looks fitter and better this year and if there’s a lack of good 9s available I think another year would be okay while we look or Doyle/Smith progress further.

That list needs a lot of quality and cover adding. I’m really looking forward to seeing who we sign. I’d be happy with Storton as I rate him. Would be happy to see Mckmeeken and Storton in our second row next season.

Think the props will be Rodwell, Atoni, Uele and Vagana with Bain/Cozza rotating at 13. Still think we need a prop or two to replace Bowden and maybe Shaw if they’re going.

I think we need a better 9 than Hood. I don't think Cozza is SL quality either, certainly not for the first 17.