I must confess i forgot about Walker, if he's to step up than we are chasing quality, which means we don't have to panic and chase the first name that comes along.

I do wonder if he'd be any better cover, than say Clough would have been?

We can't hold em all and Walker will have more years and more in the legs than Clough.

I liked Clough, but in the end those who played this year went further than those who went before them.

That's yet to be seen

actually feel much happier knowing Walker is there as well, takes a bit of pressure off, and I like most of our options:

Fullback: Lomax, Wellens
Wing: Makinson, Swift, Gardner, Galbraith
Centre: Percival, Jones, Dawson
Standoff: Burns, Hohaia
Scrum half: Walsh, Hewitt
Prop: Amor, Masoe, Richards, Walmsley, Walker + another
Hooker: Roby, Charnock
Back row: LMS, Thompson, Vea, Flanaghan, Greenwood, Savelio
Lock: Turner, Wilkin

Will walker be here tho ?

There's definitely room for another quality, longer minutes prop in that squad

I 100% think we need a good forward. If Lms is our new second row then we need a prop, if Lms will play prop then we need a second row.

Not a Beaumont type squad player but a quality player who will improve us.

There has to be plenty of cash for one, 10 players out including Manu and Sia who were on top dollar, and only Vea and Burns in ?

I imagine (hope) the ghostmont situation will mean we hold on for another year at least. Still doubt he's good enough to make it for us, but is a solid enough back up whose had a bit of experience. And you never know another year might give him chance to step up.

I think it is very impressive that we could lose 10 this year and still look a relatively big experienced squad like that - we only look to be lacking at prop. Just question who...

Galbraith has gone mate. Gone to Aus somewhere.

Also, you forgot Jack Ashworth. The club must see something promising in him to give him a 3 year deal. Forgot about Hand and Fozard too. I think they will still be at the club.

People seem to be forgetting that we have given out plenty of new contracts over the past 12 months. Players like Robes, Walmsley, Swift, Greenwood, etc will probably be on more money next season than this, therefore taking up more of the salary cap.

According to Brown, the contracts that eat in to the available money are Walmsley, Amor, Thompson, Richards and Percival's.

Guesstimating leaves us with Manus money at least available for a new signing:

Manu = ???
Soliolas money = Vea + walmsley
Laffranchi = burns + Percival
Wheeler = Amor
Beaumont + mcdonnell + all the rest = Thompson + Richards

How much that is, is anyone's guess, but enough to bring a very good player in imo.

Didn't know Galbraith had gone - are there any other outside backs ready to step up in the kids? They seem to have had a good season - Spedding is a name that sticks in my head?

Manu was on a big salary

I hope we user Greenwood a bit more next season. I'm a big fan.

What are peoples views on next season... should we aim to fit the youngsters in and blood them more or use them as and when? I think we should try and get Hewitt in there against the lesser teams as Walsh will be OOC with us.

Walsh is very open to the idea of taking a 3rd year with the club.

McManus always had a 5 year plan to bring the youth through but that got scuppered with Eastmond and Wheeler with Graham going to better himself.
I think we are in a decent position to give it another shot whilst Walsh and Burns are still here especially in developing Hewitt who I,ve never seen to be honest. Thompson for me could get better and be in a similar statue to Graham and I would expect Richards, Greenwood and Sav to have the potential to get in the regular starting 17 to add to the power of Mose, Walmsley and Amor.

Could be Adam Saunders as I feel he's more ready for first team than Spedding

Adam Saunders has been released.

Ah right, didn't know that. How come?

I don't know mate, just hasn't been offered a new deal.

So do we have any outside backs in the academy looking likely to be an option in an injury crisis?

Jake Spedding is a great prospect but this year was his first in the academy. He is probably 2 years off any first team appearances.

Jack Ashworth who will be in the first team next season is a very good centre. Can play second row too.

Wing options: Makinson, Swift, Gardner, Dawson

Centre options: Turner, Percival, Jones, Ashworth

thanks! I thought Ashworth was primarily a second row? Given his long term contract I guess Saints have big hopes for him though!

Will be good to see the next wave pushing through next year - we should be using a good squad of 30+ again looking at it...

He can play both positions.

So far I have counted 30 first team players for next season. Last season we started with 35 in the squad. There maybe one or two more promoted from the u19's or we may sign one from outside the club.

We only have about 3 weeks before pre season training starts.

Don't forget Dawson can cover wing and centre. Personally I think Centre is his strongest, but can fill either hole more than adequately.

What happened to Jack Ashworth last season was he seriously injured ?