We also have Baldwinson to come back into contention next season.

We need 3rd & 4th props. At the moment we only have 2, Peacock & Leuluai, and they'll both be gone soon. Kirke & Bailey simply aren't stepping up as they should. Even against Hudds where I thought they were better they still didn't provide enough support to Peacock & Leuluai. Kirke did his 1 good run and then nothing else. Bailey was ok going forward but was poor in defence again, he keeps getting stepped around.
Hopefully Cuthbertson might fill one of those gaps and Singleton might in the future but he's still a work in progress.
So, whilst there are issues with our halves, I still think the big problem is in the forwards and specifically the props.

I just get the impression that Singleton doesn't fit somehow. The only way the lad is going to improve is to play first team rugby. His minutes allowed are poor in order to aid this improvement. Every time he has started, he appears to have starred, every time he gets less minutes his contribution is deemed not good enough. There is something telling in that.

As for the other "fringe" forwards, it works the same. People can not keep listing names as back up when they are unproven. Until they get a chance to prove themselves, they will be still unproven, and therefore not really logical to list as we have enough there.

Cant argue with that

Another McShane - clash with the coach? In nobody's eyes can Singleton's contribution be less than Kirke's yet Kirke appears to receive preferential treatment from the coach.

I like the look of Chan, but still, this doesn't seem like a priority signing or an improvement on what we have already.

I might take him over Clarkson or if JJB decides to call it a day though.

Is that even allowed?

As long as he's out of contract at the end of this season (which IIRC Chan is) then a player can be approached by anyone after 1st May.

Think Chan would be an excellent signing and give us the grunt and spark, that we so desperately lack in the back row, with the exception of Ablett.

Achurch for me is nowhere near the requisite quality we need in the back row, if he is to be our 'x factor' as it were. For me, he's overweight, too slow and too error prone. In his time at the Rhinos, can count on the fingers of one hand how many good games he's had. Notwithstanding that, I understand his attitude behind the scenes isn't where it should be and hence why McDermott has never fully gone with him as it were.

Let's not forget Mitch is only not playing at the moment due to injury. Up until three weeks ago he'd started something like 10 in a row.

IMO he's a quality member of our squad

Complete bullsh*te

IMO Achurch has been one of our better players this season

Up to his injury Achurch was starting to shine.

I sometimes wonder if some people are watching the same games that I do.