In an ideal world we would have another good wrecking ball type prop, and a line breaking back rower, but we still have too many average but contracted players to make this happen.

After the next close season we will be in a much better position to address the squad as 7 players will be out of contract.

I believe if we added 2 decent front rowers to our squad we’d be challenging for trophies this coming season. No idea what the thinking could have been to let Garbutt leave unless we had somebody lined up which fell through.

I don’t know what to think about Donaldson. He’s better than a few of what we have but as some have pointed out, adding another ‘squad player’ to an already poor pack isn’t what we desperately need and could block opportunities for younger players such as Smith, who really should be getting plenty of first team opportunities next season. If we could shift a bit of the deadwood we are carrying great, otherwise it’s a bit of a strange signing.

We haven’t signed him yet have we? Isn’t it a month trial which ends today?

The thinking behind getting rid off Garbutt has been discussed to death, injuries and bad attitude and high earner, getting rid allowed us to sign Mersin A massive upgrade.

Whilst I don't disagree we must be close to spent up with the current squad so until we move players on who are on decent money we are unlikely to have cap space.

Realistically I don't think the front row will be addressed until next season when players like Ferres, mullally, Walters and ormonroyd will be off contract.

On the positive, we have three halfbacks when not long ago we had one, we have a great centre pairing, a worldy back row and a bunch of decent youngsters coming through. Lots of reasons to be optimistic with a new and therefore rejuvenated management team.

What’s a ‘worldy back row’?!

The Mighty Merrin

Think I will reserve judgement on Merrin til he actually plays for us. I hope he's everything people make him out to be.

For me it will be dependant on where Furner plays him. If he plays him at prop because of your lack of options I would seriously question why bring him over. For Leeds to get the best of him he needs to be at 13 for me. With you going for O'Loughlin it says the club want a real leader in a pivotal position. Merrin at 13 is that player and should be your captain if his reputation is anything to go by in the dressing rooms and on field

Couldn't agree more. Hoping Furner agrees too

With Cuthbertson, Singleton, Crosby, Oledski, Peteru, Mullally, Holroyd and Ormondroyd to choose from at prop, there is no reason we can’t play Merrin at 13.

Like many others I thought we needed to sign a prop, Furner and Sinfield obviously have faith in the ones we have. With the rest of the squad significantly strengthened, I’m willing to give them a chance. Oledski and Holroyd certainly have the potential to become internationals, we didn’t see much of Peteru last year, hopefully he comes good this season.

To list Ormanroyd as a prop is way wide of the mark he's a BR & not a SL one either.
Mullally is garbage that leaves a 34 yr old who thinks he's s 6 2 very young lads albeit with a lot of potential a work horse in Singleton & then Crosby who for various reasons has had 3yrs of missing games or not playing that good.

That's a fair summary that.

I'd also add that Cuthbo is a busted flush. He was garbage last year and I can only see him playing at a similar level, or worse, for next season and the following season

Going to be intresting this year in terms of props. With the new rules and less substitutions, bigger minutes are going to be expected from front rowers and maybe we are heading back to the more mobile rather than larger guys we have seen the last few years.

Will we just end up with loads of big second row forwards?