Yes, we do need to do that, but a club like ours isn't in a position to sign several such players. We have to take a judgement on bringing in unproven players too, who may or may not make the grade, and I find some of the comments about this lad appalling when those making them have probably never knowingly seen him play. If anyone thinks the guy is rubbish I challenge them to describe what sort of player he is, which games they've seen him in, and why he's no good for us.

And yes, I am concerned that Oliver Wilkes appears to be our best short-term signing so far. He played well enough against us last year but we do need more players of similar experience as well as bringing in unproven players with long-term potential.

We'd do better to sign a few of the Italians....

Oh no, don't go there Brian!

I don't think people are having a go at the player specifically more the general situation whereby we are signing such unproven players.

Im prepared to give any young fringe SL player benefit of the doubt, same with a young Championship player who has done well for them, and I know we don't have the cash to splash, but we should have ensured we signed one proven quality SL player who can come in and upped our try scoring capability or 2010 will be worse than 2009.

Yeah, but that's not who we've signed.

Average forward replaced by average forward.... another kid from Leeds not good enough for Leeds.... Im going into hibernation for a couple of months, when i wake up hopefully we'll have signed some elite Rugby League players for our so called elite Rugby League club

I'm hoping those that appear to be in the know are proved to be right in that we are signing a top rate player- For me hopefully a strike centre.

My belief is the Aussie quota is full and therfore it must be a Kolpak or Brit we have arriving

I for one have seen ben jones play on several occasions and hes a good old fashion go forward prop who will become a super league regular lads been training for last 6 weeks and will come to london ready as will the other new signing .

Still available though I hear Nobby is sniffing around

Hmm, Rhinos website shows no less than 4 reserve full backs.

We've now got the Ben Jones I had heard of. Ben Jones Bishop.

The catch is it is only a one season loan.

... and Ben Jones-Bishop isn't one of them.

Told you guys great signing at fullback not wing or centre will be awsome in broken play safe under high ball pace to burn ,glides will play for england chose harlequins above 4 other clubs.

Are you him?

You did. And I doubted you.



I am pleased you were right. Good signing.

=redUPDATED:

Ben Jones-Bishop can't play centre, or every Leeds player has said he can only play Wing and Full back, so he isn't a replacement for Gafa, even if we think that is what was aimed.

Erm, that's why I wrote that Melling might be switched to centre.

The last time Melling played centre Gleeson made him look like a lollipop ladies lollipop!!!! Unfortunately on that occasion the traffic didn't stop!

Leave him at FB where he has got his confidence back and is a good return player-Lets not forget he played for England at FB.

As I well remember.



I'm not picking the team, just trying to compare 2009 and 2010 squads.

There's some miserable s*ds on here. Whats wrong with having the Champions surplus players. Give 'em a chance for goodness sakes, there's still best part of four months before we see any action from them. Got your Christmas shopping sorted yet - and other topical stuff!!

To be pedantic, our next competetive game (weather willing!) is 14 weeks on Saturday or Sunday.