Agree that we are not far off, but still not quite within touching distance (over the course of a season) of Wigan and Saints. Key for me is the development of Walker, Newman, Holroyd and Walters. If they hit their potential recruitment need not be extensive. Also need some ruthlessness in terms of trimming our existing squad. Both decentish players but we'll not be top dogs with Sutcliffe and Briscoe in the starting thirteen.

So you’re telling us that our pack is as good as anyone’s? Hmmm I appreciate your positivity but I hugely disagree. I agreed with a post that said we need a prop and a stand-off (good ones at that) and I stand by that.

full strength ok but any injuries and as subless as cats play off

Hmm that was the best we played all season and probably one of Wigan's worst. Had we played like that all season we would have been contenders.

Given the nature/age of our current pack I'm not sure I get this 'need two props' arguement.i appreciate that lots of people seem to think there is a magic number that we must hit, but if we bought two 'quality props' then who misses out on match day? During last pre season I would have been up for our younger lads getting 15 games at fev but now surely holroyd and mic are in the match day squad pretty much every week.

For me it’s part about competition for places, and part about covering for the inevitable front row injuries.

We should have 6 props.

6 would be great but 5 I think will be enough. Unfortunately we may have to run with the 4 untill hopefully another can be signed. I doubt we will sign 2 as I've said before I expect Prior to do big minutes starting at 13 then moving to front row.

London have signed Navarrete from Wigan, is this to replace Battye? DW says they were short up front but all the same could be more too it.

The Catalans play off game should be a wake up call.
You need 6 props - not all superstars necessarily, but you need 4 front line props for the 17 each week and 2 back ups.
We were blown away by Cats when we got a couple of injuries and that could happen regularly.
4 props including a 19 year old is suicide.
Again - we've lost 3 and only brought one in.

And talk of Bodene Thompson at prop from Agar is a joke, as well a big concern.
I actually think he's a decent signing - he's mobile and puts in a shift in D.
But he is not the intimidating prop we need.
This has got to be a last resort surely.

Like everyone else, I hope Walters gets more minutes this season.
He's got some size - could see him developing from back row to prop as he matures, like JP and Moz did. Let's hope....

Agree with this. I reckon we could play Bodene or Martin at LF at times leaving Prior to play prop. Where my hives go into overdrive is when I hear Agar say Donaldson can fill in at prop.

We need a 4th prop leaving Holroyd to be prop 5 then with bit of luck with injuries we might get away with Bodene and Martin filling in at 13 at times, along with Smith from the bench.

With Gale missing the start of the season, wonder if we may bring in the maestro Tony Clubb, to provide both size and an entertaining off the cuff kicking game.



The squad overall looks quite thin to me but other sides like Wigan are slimming down their numbers as well. On the positive side it will mean some of the young players will get more game like Walters, Holroyd etc.

Seems like we have a conveyor belt of talent in the back row and centres and Wigan have a conveyor belt of talent in the front row and wings.
Maybe we could pool resources?