I think you're probably right. Given the roster, I wouldn't be surprised if we weren't open to him finding first team rugby elsewhere if he can get fit

McLelland is not even in the equation, he’s gone simply not good enough.

I don’t rate Austin show pony nothing more, but agree he maybe a great fit with Sezar and Myler at full back, and also like to see Cameron Smith move to a more out an out ball playing 13.

Gale can fight for a place, up his game, or I suspect will take his bat n ball home and move on.

Unsurprising,does put a question over Gale tho abit.

Me neither. Not been this excited for new signings since we signed Lauatiti

Myler
Briscoe, Newman, Sutcliffe, Handley
Sezer, Austin
Mik, Leeming, Prior
Mellor, Bentley
Smith

Johnson
Holroyd
Vuniyayawa
Tetevano

Could be something like our first 17 next year and with Gale, Walker, Gannon, Walters, O’Connor, Edwards, Dwyer, Donaldson, Broadbent, Tindall and some others in reserve, that’s not a terrible option.

I can see both Hurrell and Martin leaving looking at that.

Doesnt Austin signing confirm one of Hurrell or Martin isn't staying?

I think the club will offer Martin a deal.

If the cap allows i think Martin will be offered a deal. I think he has been pretty consistent last few weeks since he got over the after effects of Covid. He is also the best goal kicker in the league which is a bonus

Personally I’d let King go. If you’re taking an overseas spot you need to be a better player imo but it may come down to money and that could mean Hurrell going.

It is what it is but the club seems to be playing hardball with the three OS players - agree to our offered terms or off you go. I imagine both Hurrell and Martin might be on inflated contracts based on where Leeds are now, and based on form.

I think King might want to try get a starting spot somewhere from an interview I read, which may mean he goes and Martin and Hurrell stay on reduced terms.

Personally the player id like to see go is Thompson but unfortunately he’s still in contract

I think Martin would be the biggest loss overall if he left. If he sad to see Hurrell go, because he is a genuine weapon, but I think he's so hot and cold that he doesn't positively impact us enough overall. Martin is an 80min player and grafts all day long, and his goal kicking can be the difference in tight games

I'm still annoyed we sacrificed a quota spot for 3 years in order to grab a bargain basement back row/middle cover. Thompson does have some quality but it was a crazy decision and he (predictably) hasn't contributed too much.

To some extent it doesn't really matter which of the three we retain, because we do have cover across the park now - or we could use salary released to try to balance the squad a bit more (e.g. winger).

Interesting times. Dressing room dynamics and players' training discipline will come into play in these decisions too. All we see is the end result.

King plays in a position where we are short so if he goes he needs to be replaced. Personally I would like to add another prop so that would mean probably releasing both Martin and Hurrell

True but he maybe doesn't need to be replaced with an OS player

The whole half back conundrum will be interesting but I think they'll probably name Austin at 13 a fair amount and basically give him a roaming role and just let him run/do what he does best. It's a crude comparison but similar to what they've asked L Briscoe to do a couple of times- go out play in the middle and make a nuisance of yourself and make your tackles.

That said, I can't think of any game this year we've had our first choice 1,6,7 available for whatever reason so chances are he'll end up playing half more than he does anywhere else.

Retention wise, I have a feeling it'll be Martin that departs. Can't be a lot of wriggle room on the cap which might see King stay and I suspect Hurrell will be offered reduced terms for a couple of years. Suppose it depends what other offers they both have on the table- both would likely get a first team spot in SL and I think Hurrell played RU at the start of his career so maybe that's an option for him too.