So Harry Stevens is released from his contract with apparently 2 years to run. While no doubt there are good reasons, I would be very vexed if he turned up at another club, which we all know has happened more than once.

Thought we were trying to keep blokes, not as if we’ve got an excess of players - how very London!

[quote="Deadcowboys1":sodm1d0v]So Harry Stevens is released from his contract with apparently 2 years to run. While no doubt there are good reasons, I would be very vexed if he turned up at another club, which we all know has happened more than once.[/quote:sodm1d0v] It’s going to be a tough old season and if he doesn’t think he’ll play much, isn’t getting paid much and is of an age where he needs to push his studies or non RL career on you can see how this happens as it must take up quite a bit of bandwidth juggling demands of RL career and everything else. I doubt he’ll go anywhere else as there is no where else but there are likely to be Union opportunities and they may well be easier to get to for him. The real issue is that only leaves Monk, who played well on Saturday, of our expensively assembled production line of young prospects left and it’s unclear where the next batch comes from. There’s no more at Skolars and how many Aussie diamonds playing amateur in London can we expect to find. Real tricky patch this.

[quote="BigTime":3e58jero]It’s going to be a tough old season and if he doesn’t think he’ll play much, isn’t getting paid much and is of an age where he needs to push his studies or non RL career on you can see how this happens as it must take up quite a bit of bandwidth juggling demands of RL career and everything else. I doubt he’ll go anywhere else as there is no where else but there are likely to be Union opportunities and they may well be easier to get to for him. The real issue is that only leaves Monk, who played well on Saturday, of our expensively assembled production line of young prospects left and it’s unclear where the next batch comes from. There’s no more at Skolars and how many Aussie diamonds playing amateur in London can we expect to find. Real tricky patch this.[/quote:3e58jero] While I don't necessarily disagree with you BT, I would have thought he & his parents would have addressed those issues before signing a 3 year deal in 2023 even though our circumstances have changed somewhat for the worse since then. I don't remember us offering too many 3 year contracts. If he's that talented, I wouldn't be surprised if he turned up at a SL club at some stage.

[quote="Deadcowboys1":3j910h8l]While I don't necessarily disagree with you BT, I would have thought he & his parents would have addressed those issues before signing a 3 year deal in 2023 even though our circumstances have changed somewhat for the worse since then. I don't remember us offering too many 3 year contracts. If he's that talented, I wouldn't be surprised if he turned up at a SL club at some stage.[/quote:3j910h8l] One thing is for sure DC it’s not good news.

You can imagine him being a miffed that he didn't get picked on the weekend with trialists ahead of him.

[quote="the-bearded-lefty":326ous3n]You see him being a miffed that he didn't get picked on the weekend with trialists ahead of him.[/quote:326ous3n] It’s all guesswork but I’d assumed the decision wasn’t related to that but the broader picture. As I understand he’s a prop and quite young. I think we have decent coverage in that area, wingers and flair players less options.

[quote="BigTime":1q2jxo60]It’s all guesswork but I’d assumed the decision wasn’t related to that but the broader picture. As I understand he’s a prop and quite young. I think we have decent coverage in that area, wingers and flair players less options.[/quote:1q2jxo60] Oops my mistake. I thought he was a centre.

[quote="the-bearded-lefty":24oiyl8j]Oops my mistake. I thought he was a centre.[/quote:24oiyl8j] He may well be. I haven’t seen him play and his photo makes him seem more slight than the typical Prop but TotalRL suggest he’s a prop.

[quote="BigTime":29iaol4s]He may well be. I haven’t seen him play and his photo makes him seem more slight than the typical Prop but TotalRL suggest he’s a prop.[/quote:29iaol4s] Depends where you look, he is described as both Centre & Prop. The timing is just a little odd, why go through pre-season training then bail out just as the fixtures start, unless you plan to play something, League or Union elsewhere. If he's giving up rugby to pursue employment or education, then good luck to the lad.

Desperate to find a positive in this, does it free up some funds to sign someone else up?

FWIW Rugby League World have us for the drop finishing above Hunslet.

[quote="BigTime":3az7kgv3]FWIW Rugby League World have us for the drop finishing above Hunslet.[/quote:3az7kgv3] Let them believe that.. Our future does depend on the takeover however, whenever it comes. We can go forward from that point. I see we have signed a player from France. One out, one in.

[quote="Victor":wgieeatz]Let them believe that.. Our future does depend on the takeover however, whenever it comes. We can go forward from that point. I see we have signed a player from France. One out, one in.[/quote:wgieeatz] A try scoring back who is a kicker as well- sounds great!

[quote="RfE":pbxbfupu]A try scoring back who is a kicker as well- sounds great![/quote:pbxbfupu] Yes just what we needed so hopefully a good signing.

[quote="BigTime":1gvmlmjg]Yes just what we needed so hopefully a good signing.[/quote:1gvmlmjg] We can but hope. I see what appear to be his previous clubs, Albi are currently top of Elite 1 & St Gaudans near the bottom. Let's hope he fancied a new challenge & not that he couldn't get a gig with them.

[quote="Deadcowboys1":1qvuyyfa]We can but hope. I see what appear to be his previous clubs, Albi are currently top of Elite 1 & St Gaudans near the bottom. Let's hope he fancied a new challenge & not that he couldn't get a gig with them.[/quote:1qvuyyfa] He looks sprightly in his highlights reel and comes across well in his welcome video so it’s all positive. He also appears to not have played for either Skolars or Cornwall so there is that as well. We’re definitely fishing in a different pool this year but I think he’ll be an asset. Mind you I thought Latu and Juma would do a job so what do I know!* *This is untrue.

[quote="BigTime":3r1kqlsj]He looks sprightly in his highlights reel and comes across well in his welcome video so it’s all positive. He also appears to not have played for either Skolars or Cornwall so there is that as well. We’re definitely fishing in a different pool this year but I think he’ll be an asset. Mind you I thought Latu and Juma would do a job so what do I know!* *This is untrue.[/quote:3r1kqlsj] Agreed, he does bring decent experience with him & English with a French accent is always good. Assuming he plays, having him & the Aussie who can kick might make some difference. We can't afford to throw away conversions like we did last year.

Kicking has been an issue for some time as we know. We have frittered away too many points previously so let us hope that that will be a thing of the past.

[quote="Victor":1iqvt2kj]Kicking has been an issue for some time as we know. We have frittered away too many points previously so let us hope that that will be a thing of the past.[/quote:1iqvt2kj] Too true Victor. Whare added a level of competency to the 2023 season but it’s not since Hankinson that we had someone that was top level. Not sure we’ll get to that level but it would be nice, should we score, that we have someone that can convert from attempts that are other than in front of the posts.

Seems another member of coaching staff on board from London Chargers. More positive news as we head towards the season start.

Who that?

[quote="the-bearded-lefty":1fz9oniu]Who that?[/quote:1fz9oniu] Marty Hyde, who has been coaching at London Chargers for the last few years.

[quote="Victor":2ydlof5m]Marty Hyde, who has been coaching at London Chargers for the last few years.[/quote:2ydlof5m] Sounds good. Where is this from?

London Chargers have put it up.