McGuire may have been better but we'd probably have won less. The assorted combinations of Sinfield/Burrow/McGuire are what worked for us in the past. We were in the very unusual situation of having three halfbacks of a similar age come into the team, a situation we're unlikely to see again for some time - if ever given the change in the role of the losse forward.

But I do agree that the only way to get a halfback to develop game management and leadership is to give them the chance to try, and make mistakes along the way. They'll never learn if they are always accompanied by a more experienced player who calls the shots every tackle.

But you are not looking at that scenario here, Sinfield is gone in a few months. What you should be looking at is the one expected to fill the role, learning off him to take on that role. If he isn't playing with him how is he going to do that?

You can only recruit class players when they become available which is a rarity. Gone are the days when English rugby league could tempt NRL or Union stars with just the cheque book.

So if the likes of Cronk become available and the marquee rules make it a real possibility then a club like Leeds have to take the opportunity to sign him very seriously. Although Cronk would not replace Sinfield in the place kicking department he would more than replace him in the other important areas of: on-field leadership, organisation, creativity and tactical kicking including a long kicking game for field position that would spare a lot of sweat and metres from our forwards and could be like signing another metre making forward. He was a strong defensive game too and a can put up a great up and under. He could also provide a masterclass for Sutcliffe to develop his game alongside.

Now this does not mean we ignore a forward signing too. IMO JP is so unique that finding an exact replacement is nigh on impossible. However I do believe that in Cuthbertson we have found a prop that can and is fulfilling the same role albeit in a different style. He makes the same number of metres, and the same number of tackles, similar game time and most importantly even more offloads.

So IMO we should be looking to sign a replacement for the role that Kylie has provided ie: physical impact on attack and defense which could be from the bench and could be provided by an aggressive back-row alternative too in the Paul Gallen style.

I really hope the Galloway rumour is true, he's the perfect (most realistic) replacement for Peacock.

Although, our back 3 do gain a lot of meters and play a vital role in getting us up the field. It's not just about meters, it's about winning the collusion and gaining a quick PTB. At the moment, the likes of Peacock and Delaney in particular play the ball incredibly slowly, so IMO a workhorse prop who can play the quickly should be the number 1 priority for next season.

Whilst I agree that Cuthbo should not have to be having to do as much tackling and perhaps get longer rests I think this would have happened had JJB, Delaney and Kylie been fit to play more this season. The first two when fit put in high energy performances with high tackle counts. We have missed the physical impact a fit Kylie used to bring and hence I believe it is his role that now needs replacing most of all in the forwards.

In Cuthbo and Ward we have ball players and we are now playing an offloading game throughout the team so it is even more important to have forwards that can cross the gain line and put us on the front foot to take advantage of our style.

As much as I would love another Ali it is unrealistic to expect to sign one.

Fages is ready to sign for us (st Helens) Both Catalans and Salford have offerd better wages but he wants to team up with Long and take over from Walsh from 2017.

Good signing for us imo

i wonder if it was fages that had to sell his car that made him ask for a transfer
or did he just realise that kockrash will take for ever to build a squad of players of the right quality to make them competitive rather than signing highly paid mercenaries ?

I've read thatCuningham has said Sainnts aren't the club wanting to sign Fages, I wonder if the Rhinos are interested?