Houghton to the NRL? Is this just an off the cuff remark?

If Paea is going I hope we look at Shillington, who looks available for next year.

My worry is if you look at the players OOC I don't see where the necessary cap space is coming from to recruit a top centre and a prop of Shillington's stature.

I am wondering about cap room.

If we are bringing in Taylor, a prop and a centre then I'd guess they'll need to replace more than just Feka and Michaels.

Rankin and Paea might go. Yeaman's contract is up. Howarth is on buttons but he could go too. One of our current props certainly wouldn't look out of place in a different team ...

There's a possibility that Ellis' extra year next year is on less money. But I agree we won't have loads of cap space. Also we need to have one eye on replacing Pryce who is playing well but can't go on forever.

dont forget that manu is our highest paid player this season, due to something or another. £250,000 I think it was, or is that counted on the salary cap???? this salary cap thing used to be easy to understand, not now.

Is hope that we replace Pryce internally.

Although I'd keep a close eye on things at Wigan, as when they sign Tompkins they might need to release someone, Hampshire and Sarginson inparticular.

Sarginson is going to union AFAIK, don't know how long Gelling has left?

Any decent super league players ooc

I don't really understand the cap but I don't understand how our wage bill can be anything like the Wigan or Saints bill unless we are paying some really average players a very large wage

We are, or we're at least pretty close to full cap. Our cap management has been woeful for years now, and hit rock bottom during the Gentle/McRae seasons. Also, Saints, Leeds & Wigan have a much higher calibre & quantity of youth that has come through the ranks, which are cheaper than having to sign from elsewhere. They also probably pick the players they do sign from elsewhere more carefully, and have a much lower player turnover.

Sam tomkins has been mentioned on another forum,will sign for a s/l league club in the next few days,wonder if motu is over there to sign him?Would be very nice.

Can't see it. Would be nice though, either in the halves or fullback.

No thanks. Would be on a huge wedge, plus would stifle the emergence of HTW or Dean (if he comes into the halves)

As good as Tomkins is full back is amongst the least of our problem areas. I'd prefer that recruitment concentrated on them first.

There were a lot of rumours last year about Frank Pritchard. I believe he is OOC at the end of the season. I wonder if we are interested in him, although its a position we are well covered for, unless Ellis moves to prop.

www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... g-interest Maybe the person who told me about Micky P to Leeds (somebody high up at the Dobbins) got it wrong. Sorry!

www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... g-interest Maybe the person who told me about Micky P to Leeds (somebody high up at the Dobbins) got it wrong. Sorry!

Encouraging to read that although I'll be a little nervous until a new contract is agreed.

i mentioned this a few days ago, hes happy here and wants to stay

I understand your point, but the opportunity to sign players of his calibre don't come around very often. He would improve any team he joined.

It's not like we have a half a squad to sign like previous years, just a prop, centre and maybe a hooker or 2nd row.


I can see him joining Leeds and playing in the halves anyway.

Wonder if Kevin Locke gets homesick now?

Amazing what they know about our club and players isn't it?

Even the Dobbins at work talk more about rumours involving FC players than they do about how well their team played.

Regarding Tomkins (who I personally can't see signing for us) I saw this quote from Koukash that made sense to me:



We'd be daft not to be throwing our hat into the ring if Wigan don't take up the option to resign him. Yes, there are other areas that could do with improving more urgently but it's not often someone of Tomkins quality becomes available. As I said at the top, I can't see it happening but I'd like to think that we at least make an offer to him.

Not sure about Tomkins tbh. We need to prioritise other areas first, but if this marquee exemption is going to come in (and it looks like it is imo) and we can sign him without any cap implications, then we have to at least make an attempt. He will be the best and biggest name player in Superleague. If nothing else it will get bums on seats. We will need a 6 at some point. Pryce will probably retire at the end of this contract, and it's a lot to ask of one of the youngsters to be the main man.

Anyway, I don't suppose it's something we have to worry about. Even if he doesn't go to Wigan, almost everyone will be in for him, and almost everyone is a better prospect than us right now.

Tomkins would stifle HTW and Dean? Tomkins is a world class player, will be easily the best in SL again when we returns. It's a non story because he won't be coming here anyway, but for God's sake if we get a chance to sign a world class player I want them at the club! Am I the only one who doesn't care if they're from Hull or not?! Sure, I like to see players come through the ranks and make it, but I'd rather win silverware!