wasn't mcshane given chances last year and didn't really take them

Correct and there were rumours of a fallout with Brian McD but he now has a 4 year contract.

It's a bit harsh to say he didn't take his chances, hardly looked out of his depth when he did play, and the rumours proved to be just that rumours.

The interesting thing will be how he is played, he is clearly a different style to buderus, I think he did improve fitness last season and should be quite exciting seeing mcshane and hood develop

The problem with Farah - or anyone else when it comes to overseas players blocking kids - is that people talk as though it would only be for a year. It wouldn't. If you sign a good Aussie/Kiwi it will be partly because you're willing to offer a decent length contract. You wouldn't just temporarily block one of McShane/Hood - you could probably be guaranteed to lose one of them.

In any event if you look at the top SL sides, it would appear as though the limits on overseas players are finally biting (or the exchange rate or the potentially increased cap in the NRL or a combination) as those on existing contracts leave. Everyone should start getting used to the idea that SL sides will be finally looking first and foremost to replace players leaving with good young players rather than signing a ready-made nobody from the NRL.

Check the thread title. I wasn't aware the discussion was about any ready made NRL nobody.

Farah fits the criteria of what SL clubs should be seeking to import in to our competition if the chance to do so exists, which I fully appreciate (with an increased cap in the NRL and a depressed pound - if only we were in the Euro) may not be the case anymore.

Can't see us bringing in a hooker now.. not with Mcshane and Hood signed up, it just wouldn't make financial sense.
I'm not 100% certain Mcshane is up to the job (hope i'm proved wrong though) but it's not the point, i'd sooner we strengthen the 3/4's or the back row with a game breaker.

McShane is the new Dean Lawford (have I said that yet). Could cost us dear in 2012...really hope I am wrong. Just like I was about Leeds winning the Championship last year

I think the point he was making was that with the exchange rate we will no longer see players of Buderus or Farah's caliber. All that will be available are nobodies.

Frankly, I am far more intrigued to see Liam Hood play than I am Farah, AN Other import or McShane.

What are you basing that on?

I'd have agreed with Highbury last year but this year up to about May I thought McShane was developing quite nicely.

His performance in the win at Cas - the game in which Peacock made his comeback - was a masterclass of play selection and delivery from dummy half, one pass close to the line to create a try for the winger in particular.

When he's struggled, it's usually been where the pack as a whole has been on the back foot - an away game at Hull KR where he couldn't tackle a three course meal springs to mind.

Aye that stuck in my mind. He was really improving then McDermott decided he needed Burrow from the bench so McShane struggled for game time.

Yeah, what does he know the big lummox!

As it stands McShane is going to have to step up to the mark.

In the absence of a genuine alternative (no idea whether Hood is capable before at least seeing him play 1st grade and wouldn't like to see Sinfield or Jones-Buchanan tied up at dummy half) it's still a position I can see Lee Smith turning his hand to.