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.

[quote="Victor":2gmzan0e]London Chargers have put it up.[/quote:2gmzan0e] A tad odd even by Bronco standards that they haven't said anything. The Chargers message makes it sound like a full time appointment & I'm sure Cake needs the help if he is also half running the club too. At least no relocation costs to find.

He’s new player welfare manager.

From the rugby league hub newsletter... Breaking: French club Racing Club Saint-Gaudinois Comminges XIII has angrily taken aim at the signing of their halfback Christopher Hellec by London Broncos and insisted he is still contracted to them. London announced the signing of Hellec six days ago. But Saint-Gaudens Bears has responded with a lengthy statement on Facebook, claiming that it had no contact from the English club and that the playmaker remains their contracted player. The statement from club president Jean-Claude Estrampes reads: "Racing Club Saint-Gaudinois Comminges XIII has learned of the signing of Christopher HELLEC with the London Broncos for the Championship season which begins on February 15, 2025, as well as the player's recent interview. "It should be noted, however, that he has committed to the 2024/2025 sports season with Racing as part of the CAP 2025 project and that he is still licensed by this club which is therefore competing in the French Super XIII Championship. To date, there has been no contact between the two clubs, knowing that Racing Club Saint-Gaudinois Comminges XIII is still in the running for qualification for the final stages of the French Super XIII Championship. "The Saint-Gaudens club is now awaiting the request from the English club, in order to study it and position itself to possibly allow the interested party to be released from his obligations towards the French club." Bit more after in the same vein. Lovely flowery language. But oooff that's not good it seems.

[quote="the-bearded-lefty":10vt6ras]From the rugby league hub newsletter... Breaking: French club Racing Club Saint-Gaudinois Comminges XIII has angrily taken aim at the signing of their halfback Christopher Hellec by London Broncos and insisted he is still contracted to them. London announced the signing of Hellec six days ago. But Saint-Gaudens Bears has responded with a lengthy statement on Facebook, claiming that it had no contact from the English club and that the playmaker remains their contracted player. The statement from club president Jean-Claude Estrampes reads: "Racing Club Saint-Gaudinois Comminges XIII has learned of the signing of Christopher HELLEC with the London Broncos for the Championship season which begins on February 15, 2025, as well as the player's recent interview. "It should be noted, however, that he has committed to the 2024/2025 sports season with Racing as part of the CAP 2025 project and that he is still licensed by this club which is therefore competing in the French Super XIII Championship. To date, there has been no contact between the two clubs, knowing that Racing Club Saint-Gaudinois Comminges XIII is still in the running for qualification for the final stages of the French Super XIII Championship. "The Saint-Gaudens club is now awaiting the request from the English club, in order to study it and position itself to possibly allow the interested party to be released from his obligations towards the French club." Bit more after in the same vein. Lovely flowery language. But oooff that's not good it seems.[/quote:10vt6ras] Reckon they’re after a few quid off us? They know we’re basically brassic don’t they?

[quote="RfE":1p9agjrx]Reckon they’re after a few quid off us? They know we’re basically brassic don’t they?[/quote:1p9agjrx] You might hope he is bright enough to know if he was still on contract, even if he is French.