Having Burrow on the bench (unlikely to happen now that McGuire is out) would provide us with something that the WHOLE league has been missing really in the last few years and that impact substitutes. Teams are still able to name starting 13's which are as good but several years ago you'd have the likes of Lauitiiti at Leeds and Roby and Fa'asavalu at Saints, players who could up and change games when they came on. Nowadays subs just seem to be there to offer rests to the starters and that's a waste because good damage can be done to an opposition just before halftime if you introduce the RIGHT fresh legs around the 25/30 mins mark.

I've been away and just read that Gary Hetherington said in YEP that the Rhinos are not interested in Tom Briscoe! Is your source still saying we've signed him?

A good source tells me Briscoe has definaely signed, so don't blame Bish for getting out and not wanting to play second fiddle. Personally I prefer Bish over Briscoe

Where is there anything about BJB leaving Leeds?

I have The Rhinos, BBC and Sky Sports RL RSS feeds and none of them have mentioned Ben leaving the club.

I was told at the weekend that BJB has indeed signed for Warrington. It was a Warrington fan who told me, he speaks to an employee of the Warrington club regularly. On a different matter, he was also advised that they'd been unable to sign Clark.

Whether this is accurate or not, we'll have to wait and see.

If he were to go to Warrington would he be automatic first choice though? I think he's better than Riley but could see Smith rotating them around, maybe even a gig at FB when Hodgson needs a rest.

Being ultra harsh, when both are at top form, Briscoe is an upgrade over BJB.

That said, I would like both. BJB can cover 1-5 and is a very good player.

However, if the Briscoe rumours are true and if his arrival is the catalyst for BJB wanting a guaranteed place at Warrington then good luck to the lad.

Forwards should be top of the signing agenda, then if we have any cash left over it should be spent on the threequarters

Disagree. All available cash should be spent on outside backs so that Joe Vickery never again gets a look at a first team jersey.

Briscoe is one of the best players at his position in the competition and is available. I see no reason why the club should not consider trying to sign him.

What similar quality forwards are likely to be available this off season?

Whilst i agree with G1 in terms of Briscoes quality but in Bjb we have a quality finisher and someone who can cover 1-5 add in Minns ,Keinhorst and the potential in Handley ,Morgan and Duckworth Vickery shouldn't get another game irrespective of injuries.
Also even if Handley and Duckworth aren't viewed as long term potential for us our back division has versatillitry within it with Minns capable at Centre/Wing Morgan can cover either wing or FB etc etc.
For me the £££ should go on the pack and IF we can't buy the right quality then we shouldn't spend for the sake of it or maybe that bit extra should have gone on Baldwinson and Tonks and before anyone jumps in i don't mean top money either just that bit better than one was offered.

A big name prop is probably going to be a big priority soon but given kylie and jp are still contracted until end of next season and bailey also tied down now,the need to go for one right now is not too great so if a player of briscoe's quality is available then it seems logical to take advantage.

BT-Given the age of Kylie and JP there's a chance one or both won't have as much impact next year so why wait till both are pencilled in to leave/retire??

Agreed with the cover, but if we sign Briscoe....personally foe me he has not been as good as BJB in the last two seasons, then it makes sense to let BJB go elsewhere rather than tie up more cap in two wingers competing for a spot.....SL cap means that you can rarely have 2 top players competing for the same spot, financial does not make sense, better to have Keinhorst and Minns supporting the back line, to me both of these will be strong squad players, maybe even head to other clubs further down the line for a starting role, but have that depth a known quantity with recent injury covergae will only benefit Leeds in the next couple of seasons.

True.but there is no indication that either are fading infact JP has been imense.

Bottom line is we all know sometime in the near future both will be gone.we know this,and im sure the club do too and i would like to think they are making conitingency plans for when it happens.

Maxi-I agree totally my post was more aimed at not needing Briscoe at all mate.
BT-I agree 100% re-JP but i do fear at some point the Coach and Club are gonna expect a performance/big stints he can't give so for me a frontline Prop is needed asap.