League express say Leeds Rhinos have won the race to sign Callum McLelland from RU. Beaten off severla other SL clubs.

Does he kick goals?

Callum moved from Cas to RU last season for a decent fee.
Cas were open to taking him back as he’s highly rated by Powell. However, his agent met with Jon Wells and asked for the kind of money you’d expect to pay a proven SL player. Both us and Warrington told him where to go.

Really excellent prospect with all the stand off skills. Can put others into space and can go the length of the field to score himself. Was England RL junior captain and has since played for Scotland RU U/20s at fly half. I don’t think he kicks goals but has fair out of hand kicking game.

You were doing so well upto this point

desperate for one? arent Lolohea and Myler going to be our halfs next year?

I certainly wouldn't want to bet everything on a kid who's never played first grade. But if he is good enough he'll get into the team, and this year has shown every team needs at least three who are capable there. This year we've had one and a bunch of numpties.

Warrington told him nothing of the sort, and were very very keen. Not heard on the Cas stance, so can’t comment.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's had better coaching in skills in RU than he would have if he'd stayed in RL. We used to be way ahead in basic skills as a sport, now I'm not so sure.

He learnt his basic skills in mini junior RU then joined Lock Lane around 13 and then Cas Academy. In RU the fly half is the key pivotal position so he will have good experience of game management. We needed cover at halfback and this lad can develop into a star of the near future

When you talk about junior RU though, it really doesn’t teach that great, more about togetherness. When you talk about someone only looking good at juniors because they are big, never is this more true than union juniors. They play out of their own age groups, and can actually play and do, below age.

That said this kid got his skills somewhere, because skills wise he is quite an exciting player, with a good brain.

3 HBs for 2019. We look much better already.

Just another 4 signings to go. Over to you Kev

Have to disagree with you. Union mini and junior development is usually well planned and structured and concentrates on basic skills with no contact in the early years. It is well financed and brings large numbers of kids into the world of rugby. Of course it is not without its faults but in my experience age groups are well policed at least in England.

I do agree with you about this youngster who looks to have the class to make it to the top and would not be out of place in our first team right now.