I didn't mean Walmsley himself - I know what you mean about his long term injury. I just meant somebody of that calibre. The England forward pack is the most feared on the international scene. There was an article running in the Australian press before the last world cup saying that also. I don't see why we always have to go for NRL imports when we have some fantastic forwards already in super league.

England first choice pack: George Burgess (Souths), Josh Hodgson (Canberra), James Graham (St George), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra), John Bateman (Canberra), Sam Burgess (Souths).

What was it you were saying about great SL forwards?

Correct me if I'm wrong but Bateman isn't even in Australia yet - he will be joining up with Canberra later in the year so you can't use this as basis to your argument. George and Tom Burgess aside they have all made a name for themselves over here before the NRL takes a chance on them. There has been a big influx of English forwards joining the NRL in the last few years which shows just how good the super league forward talent is. I don't get why we have to pay marquee money for somebody from the NRL when we have the likes of Hill / O'loughlin / Walmsley / McMeeken / Luke Thompson / Currie / Scott Taylor / Milner / Greenwood / Roby / Clark already here. Not all of these are gettable but the talent is here.

I think you seem to be missing the point by mentioning our starting pack. I'd argue that George Burgess isn't guaranteed starting pack - he's only recently come back into the fold due to injuries and didn't make the last world cup due to poor form. All of the above mentioned players are in and around the team when fit so the squad has a lot of super league forwards in it.

More to the point, where’s this announcement?

Hopefully as a make weight with Tom Johnstone coming the other way.....

it would be so funny if he did, not that i particularly want johnson, bit to see wake fans melt down and start to back track on his best winger in game tag if he came to us, but if he did come to us he would get an England shirt, which he never will at wakey

Technically he has had one once



, it will turn to BJB if that ever happened

Space at fullback now free at Giants....that rumour did it’s rounds a week or so ago

Ashton is a player I wouldn’t mind retaining and giving another year or so to develop. But, if someone else can offer him 1st choice FB and a reasonable contract... he’d be a solid signing for someone.

https://www.zerotackle.com/trent-merrin ... nos-38035/ If this is true i just hope he is committed to his deal.

https://www.zerotackle.com/trent-merrin ... nos-38035/ If this is true i just hope he is committed to his deal.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 8ea9f50424 Fox news in Oz saying that Penrith could be chipping in for some of Merrins wage as well.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... 8ea9f50424 Fox news in Oz saying that Penrith could be chipping in for some of Merrins wage as well.

If true means that Taupau is definitely off. Merrin I think would be a good addition.
I am still a little concerned about carrying so many players under a fitness cloud though: you’d count Merrin in that, Lolohea, Hurrell, Ferres, Ward. Watkins still to come back from serious injury. If a player has structural problems that’s one thing: but a professional player should at least be match conditioned with no excuses IMO. I also think the squad needs to have a first class training attitude behind the scenes. Sinfield and Furner know what they’re doing but there are some risks in there.