Good to see all the names put together. I haven't dared to do it before. I am looking forward to it already.

Whatever the permutations, it's a short term fix. The forward signings we've made are hardly in the first flush of youth and if we don't achieve success next year we are back into a rebuild.

I believe Amor is carrying a bit of an injury, added to the fact that Mulhern, Bullock, Harrison, Mikaele and even Clark recently have looked better options. Amor will have more game time, we might see Mikaele rested - he looks to be carrying an injury also at present.

If we can work on Thewlis' game, I'd be happy for him to take the full back roll and move Dufty to 6 instead of Ratchford. We'd have to rely on Matautia to kick though.

I'd be tempted with Bullock instead of Dudson to start, with Vaughan.

On paper it looks a descent team and that forward pack is very strong with depth and competition for places. Once we've established some go forward, it'll provide an ideal platform and space for Powell's free flowing attacking patterns to flourish (hopefully).

I think one player we've recruited who's gone under the radar is Mcguire. We've missed this type of industrious aggressive player since Westwood left and I believe he'll lead by example and inspire the forwards to push harder. I also think he'll be the guy to gee up the players behind the sticks after conceding a try too.

It's been dissapointing this season, but I think we have a lot to be excited about with our monster pack, 2 quality pivots in Williams and Dufty, and the pace we possess in the backs (fingers crossed Wardle stays).

Out of interest, which forwards would you have brought in or targeted?

Mikaele, Harrison & Philbin are all mid 20’s though. Yes we will certainly need to be in the market again in 2/3 years when Dudson, Vaughan & Kasiano depart, but it’s manageable.

A short term fix eh!... your never doubted optimism is shining through. Let's hope you are right.
I'd love a short term fix then move forward after that.

I wouldn’t try to get to complicated or technical regards next years Props.
Keeping it simple I’d start with the two biggest bald heads, and then bring on the two biggest bellies at half time.

It's to be hoped our incoming props are not too argumentative or we could be needing a bigger naughty step.

If Wardle had indeed signed to Wigan, there’s the option of Currie to left centre to accommodate all the props in the starting 17, with Vaughan and Harrison able to play back row, but I expect we can rotate props and of course, highly likely that not all will be fit and/or free from some length of suspension at any one time.

We’re moving from a team with 3 out and out props currently in 2022, to one of a full compliment and a healthy margin too in 2023.



Halle-feckin-lujah.
Packs win games
Props win pots

I haven't got the stats, but mcguire looked good for the dragons this morning. Really puts himself about and tackled like a man possessed on his own tryline(that alone would be nice to see!!).

Don't be surprised to find Riley Dean starting in the halves in 2023. DP has Dufty as the fullback linking as he did on Thursday. Williams, Dean and Dufty behind the much bigger pack could be very special.

No we’re signing a stand off.

I'd be very surprised, unless Riley makes massive strides in defence this off season.

Definitely need a controlling 7 though

He would probably want to stay where he is - playing excellently in a better team - but maybe we should throw some compensation that is too good to turn down at Salford for Brodie Croft.

Hearing that from a few fans. Every team has a price, we could ease some of Salford’s debt.

i'd have him in a heart beat, but he's not what we need, thats basically having two sixes again with williams.

we need an out and out 7, BUT brodie croft is bloody good.

Anyone heard anymore of the random Brandon Wakeham rumour that appeared out of nowhere? Or was that someone just throwing his name in the hat because he's off contract?

I'm surprised Harrison is not mmentioned very much.

I said a while ago that we'd gone overboard on props - unless some more are to be moved on.

Don't like Ratch in the halves either.

I hope I proved wrong but I'm not keen on the balance of the squad.

Maybe he's got older guys in for a Couple of years by which time our youth will have been blooded and are able to step up.

We have plenty of young props in our Reserves and Academy who will come through over the next few years but we all know that props develop a bit later so by having these experienced guys for the next couple of seasons will be great for the young lads to learn from.

Also regarding back row we have Adam Holroyd who WILL be pushing for a regular spot next year after being named in the squad for the first time this week…he is some player!!!

I’m really excited about our future!

Do you think Holroyd will be in the 17 on Friday? I've heard he's quality.

Think you've signed Brandon Wakeham from Canterbury. He's followed Wire on Instagram.

Could be a reason why Longstaff is being allowed to look elsewhere?

We also need to fit Matty Nicholson into our team too.

Yes exactly, Currie, Holmes, Nicholson and potentially Holroyd.

Lots of pressure on Currie and Holmes to perform there, with McGure presumably first choice 13.

Maybe the thinking was that Longstaff being here would slow the progress of Holroyd and of the 3 (Holroyd, Nicholson & Longstaff) Holroyd and Nicholson are seen to have more potential.