But if we sign more players the youngsters get less of a chance. Happy with the signing but think we are desperate for cover in te backs.

I agree, I'm a big fan of giving young players the chance but we need to make sure they are ready before they play first team rugby. Betts and Cassidy will be all over this I'm sure.

I spoke to Seb Martins in November and he said he was coming here in the New Year after Limoux's season. He is a huge bloke but I didn't think his fitness levels were great but it is difficult for big blokes. With the Dudson signing the Martins deal could well have died a death.

We had Sebastien at Leigh Centurions (on loan) back in 2007, he is massive, makes Hep Cahill look like Ronnie Corbett ! I remember he took 'some stopping' when running at the try line, but overall don't think too many fans were upset we didn't sign him on a permanet basis. Though not seen him play for years....so he may be like a fine wine !

I know it can be a tough season on props, in terms of how many you need, but I wonder if Martins was plan B, if the Dudson move didn't come off? It is a really tough ask for a part time player particularly one who is prone to carry a few extra pounds to get themselves up to SL Standard, without even the benefit of a full pre-season. I know he has been playing in the French League, but I doubt that his fitness has gone up beyond part time requirements!

Clearly we have seen the likes of Hill and Walmsley make the transition, but they were younger blokes, who did benefit from a full pre-season at their respective clubs. Phil Joseph is the nearest we have and he at least had a year at Bradford before coming to us and again had a full pre-season!

At the moment we still have Dudson, Joseph and Kavanagh in reserve (Kav may get into the 17 for tonight's game but I doubt it) not to mention the potential to give one of the Chapelhows a run out, so we are doing OK numbers, size and quality wise this year. OK its make or break for Kav this year to show that he can really punch his weight and Joseph has to show a bit more consistency after a mixed 2014, but Dudson has the size and potential and Manuokafoa has already started to show his stuff! O'Carroll has picked up where he finished last season and Gerrard continues to be Mr Reliable. If also add Cahill to the mix when required we are OK. If Johnson gets himself match fit at Whitehaven then he too could come back in the reckoning, but sadly he still seems too slightly built to be effective at prop (and perhaps not quick enough for the back row?)

There will be probs giving all props game time, but you need the back up in a long season. Play 2/3, rest one or something like that may work so that every game we have four fit props. Chapelhow's will be ready when Dudson is 30!
One thing that I noticed on the Wigan video was they way Heremia congratulated Gerrard for a quick ptb that left the tackler stranded. THat is the sort of detail that he can bring to our young pack. Very impressed tbh!