He was coming to Leigh for middle 8s but the nrl/rfl put a stop to it cause he was banned from rugby league so I would not be surprised if he does sign this time round

Yes will agree with you Atomic, for a good run at winning the Championship.

I must say that I am a little no i'm very dubious as to our chances of surviving in SL with the quality of this squad that has been assembled thus far, 4 player's from HKR and 4 from Toronto both of whom struggled in SL last season, a good but ageing prop in Ben Flower, another prop that a Championship contender let go, and a Wire "on the fringe player" all supplemented with player's from our Championship squad of last season.

I would strongly suggest that if we had won promotion this season with this set of player's more than half of this squad would have been replaced for '22.

Obviously, I understand that not only financial but player availability and the time restraints of being advised we had been selected to perform in SL have all added up to amassing the squad we have put together but I cannot share the enthusiasm of your comment for the job in hand of a "Good squad coming along" most certainly it would be suited for the Championship but not for SL I fear, BUT lets hope I am wrong and John Duffy can prove the potential he has to be regarded as a top class coach with this squad, he will if he manages to avoid 12th position by just one place he should then recieve the coach of the year come the season's conclusion.

But saying all that, I can't wait to get back in the North Stand, my season ticket has been ordered and paid for I just hope I get the opportunity to utilise it.

PS. If the season gets disrupted again with Covid, do you think the 'percentage' points system will be used to allocate league positions and relegation will still be utilised?

Harry - I can see your point about Hull KR and Toronto players, but honestly with this squad we have assembled it would steamroller the Championship. I am happy we have quality in every position except for Fullback, That said we have no backup in the backs and at hooker, but I am hoping that we will fill the overseas quota with some real talent.

I expect crowds will not be allowed until at least April, but I think we can expect a full fixture list to go ahead especially when the vaccinations have started to take effect. North stand might be out of operation for a little bit longer and seats will need to be used to police social distancing.

Well never been called a troll before just for giving some information on Ben barber, I did say released rather than sacked as foolishly I i thought I was being polite and failed to mention the other club,
I'm sure J.D. will make the right decision on his next signing.

I agree this squad would do very well in the Championship, but we ain't going to be playing in the Championship Septi, we cannot afford any injuries at all to our best starting 17 whoever makes that line-up, cast your mind back to our last journey into SL we utilised around 36 players that season which was ultimately our downfall, we both hope we fill the overseas quota with some real talent, how many additions will that be?
Someone like Anthony Gelling will do me for starters hasn't he been released by Warrington?

And another thing that needs to be taken into consideration is the number of Scottish Internationals we have in our squad (how many is it.?) should the WC go ahead as we get towards the buisness end of the season where will their heads be at the LSV or playing in the WC?

Scotland (AKA Leigh Centurions) first game is 24th October so there might be a slight overlap with the SL Season. If so there will be an issue for Leigh. I might get my kit ready just in case.

Is Frodo still involved with Scotland or just interested in poaching their players?

Don't worry Red City, I have been accused of being a troll, or an agent for evil from another Super League team. Everybody is welcome as far I am concerned.

I wouldn’t worry. The decision will be made in the next fortnight to whether the lower tiers continue. That’s not looking possible at present, which will leave Leigh (or the bottom club) in SL.

Apologies my interloper comment was not aimed at yourself

Is Barba still banned by NRL?

No, is available to play SL or NRL.

Leaguefreek on Twitter just said not banned but NRL would block any attempt to register him. RFL and Elstone said stance would be same so something
must have changed.

I believe there still another 4 players to come in I reckon if barba comes will be announced when derek off his holidays he will want to be on the social distant photo with him

What do you think the chances are of Barba coming, Monty? We've obviously been linked with him quite heavily in the press but it was 'dismissed' by Matthew Shaw on twitter the other day..

Like I have said before he agreed personal terms for the middle 8s but the nrl put a block on it. I think he could sign to be honest as our marquee player I know he as had some issues in the past as most of rugby league players not everyone a saint I honestly think he would do a great job for us if does sign and could prob help us stop up

I agree he would be a great signing and worth the risk, IMO. Fingers crossed we can get it done!

Why on earth would you pay marquee money £200k? to someone who has not played for yonks and was banned for life for multiple serious failures unlike the vast majority of our squad.Just not something we should even think about.
We could probably prise out a current Eng international from somewhere for less money and far less risk.
Under the new Brexit rules he would not get a visa hasn't Sam had the same problem at WBA stopping second raters coming over to take our jobs.

No where near a Marquee now. Lot to prove to take that status and wedge.

I don’t think he will be able to demand marquee money a few super league clubs are looking at him think we be the front runners

There are very few players of the quality of Ben Barba in Rugby League, only one other person has won the Dally M Medal and Man of Steel. He may be rusty, but he was in the same position when he joined St Helens and he took SL by storm. Off the field he has had problems and this is the reason why we are even talking about him coming to Leigh.

Safe to say he is not of marquee status at present, due to filling in doing Truck Driving and Metalworker for $20 an hour during his ban.
Leigh need Ben Barba and Ben Barba needs Leigh, the number of options is very limited and I think it is the obvious solution for both player and club.

Do I like the baggage that he brings with him, no way. I am embarrassed to discuss the issue with my wife and daughter, but the idea of seeing him at the LSV playing for Leigh is of palpable excitement. Every SL team has a recognised Fullback except for Leigh and most teams have filled their overseas quota and are finalising the last few available slots on the Salary cap. It all makes sense that he is coming to Leigh.

Seems like you have a short memory.He did have some top games for Saints that stick in the memory but towards the end of his stay he was poor and we know why.His performances before that are too long ago to be relevant.
What did your wife and daughter have to say?
You say he cannot demand marquee money, too true.If we have marquee money available I am sure the agents will be offering us players who have been active on the field and not driving a truck for a couple of years.Derek himself said that he thought we would have more overseas players to choose from come January.
Finally,Rangi Chase..

Maybe that in allowing Catalans to sign Israel Folou a precedent has been set ?

There’s no precedent.. He was acquitted lock stock and barrel.

https://www.totalrl.com/barba-return-put-on-hold/ Has anyone considered the Scots laddie Ben Nevis at full-back? Granted, at 350 million years old he might not be as fast as he once was but immovable in defence by all accounts and hasn't seen red in all those years.

https://www.totalrl.com/barba-return-put-on-hold/ Has anyone considered the Scots laddie Ben Nevis at full-back? Granted, at 350 million years old he might not be as fast as he once was but immovable in defence by all accounts and hasn't seen red in all those years.

Just been reading of the "imports" coming over from Australia, does anyone agree with me that we are getting left behind in the recruitment of player's for the task that is facing us.
Some who write on these pages have been saying we have got a few a few 'high' quality player's lined up, the news coming out of the club is that silent it is deafening, as the playing roster stands we have a lot of average indians but no chiefs to guide and take us forward.
I can't help but thinking a good number of pastings will do the club more harm than good, god know's there are enough out there who write on social media praying for Leigh to fail miserably.