Gaskell has looked very good for us in the championship and Lawford was extremely unlikely to replace him. When we had injuries he didn't get in either, even though a few Bulls fans thought he was worth a shot.

He's quick, good on his feet and can kick goals. He needs to work on his strength as he's very small but that's easier in a full time environment. Good luck to the kid - apart from when he plays against Bradford.

I'm glad he's thinking of both though.
I liked that bit of the interview where he said they were agreeing contracts for 2025 as well as 2024.

I've no idea how it will go as we haven't kicked a ball yet but Powell seems to be building for the long term and and not making the mistake of giving old players long contracts. Some signed for just one year to get us to top of Championship. Some signed longer. Some signed to start in SL in 2025 (which I'm sure won't be released for a long time yet)

Who is the stand-off that we have signed ?

He's one for the future imho, I don't think he will feature much next season. He's joined us for the FT environment as much as anything else, that makes a huge difference to a young player, not dissimilar to Doyle.

I’m also curious about this.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... aw-4407558 Good move for Kershaw if it comes off.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/r ... aw-4407558 Good move for Kershaw if it comes off.

Yes. It would be a shame to see him go but that would be a good move for him.

Anyone know who the stand off is?

Myles Lawford?

Jarome Luai apparently....

I think he's been mentioned before but Joe Lovodua doesn't seem to have a club yet after leaving Hull.
Could be an option for us at half back and back row

I do wonder about Corey Hall too.
Not sure if a dual reg with Wigan stops ys getting loans from elsewhere but when Hull Live go through the starting line up he's is no where near.
They have 4 ex Trinity players in the pack too. And that doesn't include Hadley.

Interesting that remembering the fuss that kicked off when he went to them....

Wouldn't be surprised if Corey Hall has some underlying, long-term fitness/health issue, that's keeping out of the front line.

What makes you say that?

A fair chunk of their salary cap will have been on SKD and Opacic with both also counting towards the quota. Don't think it's unfair they'd select them over Hall.

Perhaps we are re-signing Pauli Pauli who has left York 'to pursue new opportunities'.

Off to Toulouse?

Doncaster was mentioned.

Wouldn't want him back at BV.

Lovodua is also only 25 ….

Think he’s more of a 9 and I’m sure he’s played 13. Think he’s more of a hooker/utility forward than a half back.

Unsure why he’s not got a contract. He was getting big raps in 2022 but in 2023 not sure what’s happened.

As for Pauli Pauli. His issue has always been fitness. We need a pack leader to replace Fifita. Far as I can tell we don’t have one.

As for props available there’s two could be worth a look:

Ben Nakubawaii from Leigh. Won the championship last year with Leigh.

Ramon Silva - big brazillian prop only 23 been at Wigan
2 years but played games on loan this year at London and Toulouse.

You'll never get a player to replace Fifita. He was unique. We'll need a different style of pack leader.

Only player I'd touch there is Ben Nakubawai but very much in the frame last year, would be surprised to see him drop to the Championship. Unless of course he's OOC.

Lovodua played 9 and 13 back in Aus but featured heavily for FC at stand off, not sure if that was due to injuries in the squad but clearly didn't impress them enough to earn another deal.

Agreed - he was the nearest thing we have had to a marquee player for a long time, and we had him for years and years. He was the difference for some people buying season tickets I would hazard a guess.

Even with cash reserves, almost impossible to replace.

https://www.looppng.com/rugby/laybutt-g ... ncy-123288 Not sure why this player never got a chance at playing in the U.K. after his half back performances at the World Cup. He’s still only 28 and playing part time despite captaining PNG last month…

https://www.looppng.com/rugby/laybutt-g ... ncy-123288 Not sure why this player never got a chance at playing in the U.K. after his half back performances at the World Cup. He’s still only 28 and playing part time despite captaining PNG last month…

Pauli is a classic example of how things can go badly wrong, very quickly when you don't take things seriously. If he spent half the time and effort he did throwing his weight around up and down Wesgate into his rugby then he would probably be playing in the NRL.. He quickly went from rising NRL star at Parra to having to hop around championship clubs, shame.

I wonder how much game time Nsemba will get at Wigan of if they will be tempted to send us him over for next year, he looks a seriously good young player.