Can't see anything else but a hooker, and a halfback. With, Delaney, Ablett, Ward, Achurch, JJB, Keinhorst, Cuthbertson Walters, and Cam Smith all in the first team squad, I can't see where we'd fit another second rower in unless we got rid of one or 2 of the current squad, which at the moment I can't see happening.

Herein lies the problem - depth of quality:
Ward - outstanding
Delanney - injury prone and inconsistent probably because he is carrying an injury
Ablett - Having a poor season could easily return to his former self
Achurch - average at best
JJB - If he does return it will be mid summer and what will be left in the tank when he does
Keinhorst - honest player but would get into any other top side
Cuthbertson - he is a prop
Walters - looks a one season wonder
Cam Smith - who knows he has never played open age rugby - looks good when he twice the size of everyone else

Can see Walters, Keinhorst and Achurch leaving without impacting the quality of the offering. We need a high quality back row forward.

Whilst his normal position is prop, is it possible Baldwinson could get game time at 2nd row next season.

It's a salary capped sport, we can't have outstanding players all across the park and in reserve too.

We have an outstanding back five, plus better cover (Handley, Keinhorst, Golding) than we've had in years.

We have good half-backs but could possibly do with some better cover.

We have a very good rotation of props, and a couple of young lads in the wings, which could allow us to play Cuthbertson or Singleton at 13.

We have two second rows who are, on form, international quality (Ward, Ablett) plus some other back-rows who range from the average to the excellent if injury-prone.

We have NO starting hooker.

It's pretty clear the area that needs strengthening.

Of course another Ali would be cool, but it's not a priority. After hooker's sorted, then another halfback is the next on the list (depending on whether we rate Lilley as a first team prospect for next year). This would also allow Sutcliffe to play 13 in some games if that's what required. With either Sutcliffe or Cuthbertson at 13 and Ablett/Ward at 11/12 that's a lot of back-rowers on the sidelines already.

Personally, I'd say hooker and then a hooker that can play in half (rather than a half that plays hooker, aka burrow).

Second row I'd be prepared to stick with what we have, keinhurst still relatively new to the role, but seems to be somewhere he could potentially really do decent job. Achurch imo isn't as average as most think, the problem with him is injuries, when he has a run of games I feel he really offers us something (Mac needs to stop using him as an extra prop from time to time) key here is staying fit and getting the game time rather than being stop start. The only one I'd really get rid of at the moment would be Walters, just seems to have completely lost that spark.

Yeah I agree with that. Another 2nd row would be nice but not crucial to our chances. However, if we don't sign a hooker for next year then it's going to be massively significant.

Maybe the expectations on Smith are too much and he trying too hard hence the injuries? Time will tell whether the undoubted talent carries through.

Achurch you could be right but it hasn't emerged as yet and that is what I am basing my opinion on.

Expectations or not though, and youth is no excuse, someone needs to tell him to take better care of himself, according to my daughter who was at college earlier with him, and said he was swinging around on railings in his protective boot/brace

It is also worth worth mentioning another name I have often brought up, and finally introduced as starting for under 19's, they started improving, and that is Josh Jordan Roberts. He is a talented kid, will make a top backrower given the chance.

Cameron Smith is the best player in the country at his age, their is to much expectation in him already as he has just joined the under 19s

This

BUT it seems the club is also VERY aware of this too....so (maybe in contrast to my thoughts in the past) I remain faithful in GH and co announcing somebody soon.

As others have said it will be nice to have great strength accross the park, but it is unrealistic

Hardaker
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
McGuire
Burrow
Galloway
?
Singleton
Ablett
Jones-Buchanan
Cuthbertson
S Ward
Delaney
Achurch
Garbutt
Sutcliffe
Mullally
Keinhorst
Walters
Minchella
Mulhern
Handley
Baldwinson
Golding

With potential of Robbie Ward staying, Ryan Brierley to come in if Leigh don't get promoted. I think it's quite a good squad. I think that there's potential for JJB to retire however and bring in a replacement or move someone up.

I think jjb and Delaney will be finished / ooc at end of 2016? I'd use the off season to bulk keinhorst up as a SR and get him games that year as a replacement for Achurch. As to jjb and Delaney we need a new one at least, preferably in the Ali area of skills.

Keinhorst, Achurch and JJB the only players out of contract at the end of 2016.