just seen on rhinos site that leeds to make announcenent on wednesday morning .it must be smithy

No they have found some grass.

Some grass to play and the return of Smithy would both be nice, but I'm delighted the 'grand final specialist' has seen the light so quickly.
Welcome home, son.

The prodical son returns.

Mr big game is back.

has sinfield finally signed for wire then?
or has macca been sacked?
so many posibillities.

.............Remember years back when a "Major Announcement" was due to be made on Boxing Day, with many people thinking it meant the re-signing of Iestyn Harris, only for it to turn out to be Gary Connoly!!

Don't worry, it's definately Lee Smith.

He was training with the first team yesterday morning at Kirkstall and word from the Headingley staff is that he will be on the wing on Thursday.

...and the rumour mill goes into overload.

Mark my words!

No you are all wrong, it's to announce next years new brown kit

You didn't include the full description mate.

Sorry i'm just not THAT much in the know

How can he be on the wing on thursday if he wasn't named in the original 19?

They simply change it.

www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/ma ... asps-leeds

www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/ma ... asps-leeds

The same way Chris Clarkson and Kyle Amor have done in recent weeks.

Oh well that's the rumour that he was coming to Warrington put to bed then!

It's going to be mighty interesting to see what Leeds say about the salary cap. Before it wasn't possible to sign him because of the cap so If Smith signs it'll be very controversial if there are no concessions such as other players leaving or going out on loan.

I reckon if the Press Conference is for him he'll be on a small contract for the year and we will get rid of say Donald or Webb next year to free up space.

What a total bull $hit stirring post! why is it contriversial? Where is there any proof of the club going on record saying we couldn't fit lee smith in?

The cap is live its either ok or it's not.

To give you a proper answer the squad declaration system, while being part of the operational rules, is not really a hard and fast rule. Basically, clubs should announce a 19 man squad, in accordance with the rules at the appropriate time prior to the game. The idea being that the club is being transparent and is endeavouring to pick it's 17 from that announced 19 man squad. In most cases this is what generally happens, as you know. However, the rule they have to obey is to pick the team from it's currently registered 25 first team players (unless injury forces them on the day/weekend of game itself to move outside that 25 for any reason and they can't notify the RFL in time) and as long as the final team is pinned up on the dressing room door, 1 hour before kick off, the can run with any 17 from that 25.

They will put Lee Smith straight in as squad number 28 (tvoc?) and he will be registered as a first team 25 selection player... we have loads of room because most clubs remove long-term injured players straight from the 25 to allow them room as and when required. So you will also find Bush, Clarkson etc all currently showing in our current 25 first team squad.

As I said, I reckon theyll pay him what they can fit this year and put him back on a decent contract next year. I like Smith and wouldnt mind seeing him playing either 2 or 1 next season.

Are there any Rhinos fans out there that wouldn't give up all their Easter eggs to have Smiffy playing for us on Thursday ?

Come to think of it .. Is there a fan of ANY SL team out there that wouldn't want him in their side this weekend ?

Sorry mate, the RFL will not let Leeds sign him if they are in breech of the 'live' cap. All mid-season signings have to be approved by the RFL in advance to ensure that the cap is met.

Next question...

Wasn't the 19 man squad thing put in place after the whole "Long-Gleeson" gate to ensure that people knew what squads were being put out a couple of days in advance? If you were going to improve it, then there is no issue. If you suddenly took 15 of them out and replaced them with 15 academy players then.....