We miss out on a tranfer fee but is Pearson bothered? If we have missed out on one of our targets then decision may be that there is more value in keeping him for 2013, and unless a deal is signed for Widnes from 2014 AP may think he can persuade him to stay, although I know family reasons are why he is looking to move over the pennines but who knows....

A fast, mobile, ball playing pack seems order of the day.

Don't rule out the possibilty of Ellis or Galea maybe playing front row. Especially if we sign another 2nd rower

Tickle we know isn't keen on that role

Sign a world class 2nd row and play him at prop?

You are Richard Agar and I claim my 5 random interchanges.

Of which you'll only use 3

was told this by a player when we first signed him that he might use him as a prop, but who knows

Very good news.

Ellis to play in the front row! Not a chance.

I would rather have us permanently move Aspinwall to the front row than have Pitts there. Pitts looks okay in the back row but I don't think that he would be very effective as a prop. Aspinwall has already proven that he can play well at prop.

Even for the back-row, I'd still have Ellis, Tickle, Westerman, and Whiting above Pitts in the pecking order. Nothing against him, I just think that they're better.

When we first signed Ellis, the plan was that Manu and Tickle would still be here. I know for a fact that the club put the suggestion to Ellis about playing front row, so all 3 would be on the pitch at the same time, and he was very much up for the idea.

Some more forward are yet to be announced, so as I said don't rule out the possibility of him playing up top a bit next season.

have you deleted that e mail about Galea signing for Cas

Personally, I'd prefer to see Whiting at 13 next year above Westerman. He's been by far the better performer, and it may be the kick up the backside Westerman needs to be more consistent.

With Galea on board as well, I can't see where Pitts would fit in in the back row.

11. Tickle
12. Ellis
13. Whiting
14. Westerman

18. Galea
19. Pitts

Thats what I would go with, all will get plenty of gametime with injuries etc.

McDonnell ??
Crookes ??
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Chase??
Lynch
Houghton
Watts
Ellis
Tickle
Westerman

Ogre??
Johnson??
Heremaia
Whiting

Horne
Lyneham
Crooks
Green
Kent
Bowden
Galea
Pitts

That's 25 and assuming we lose Goldie, Aspinwall and Seymour.