Might the return of Smith herald the much predicted move of Senior in to the back-row towards the end of the season ?

I simple don't understand where this notion has come from. Senior once said on a Lions DVD he was taking over Ellis' number at Leeds but apart from that (which I presumed was a joke anyway) why would he wish to make life harder for himself.

Besides which, as it stands contract wise, it's not exactly a weak area within the present squad with Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Ali Lauitiiti, Matt Diskin

, Greg Eastwood, Ian Kirke, Carl Ablett, Jay Pitts already competing for the three/four spots in the full strength 17 this season.

Perhaps there'd be scope in 2011 if Lauitiiti doesn't re-new his contract for Senior to eek out yet another year of his sensational club career.

There are a few things to consider for next year regarding the back 5.

Mainly the fact that Donald is OOC end of the season as is Senior.

Assuming Donald re-signs and gives the possibility of a Donald, Delaney, Smith, Hall with Watkins back from injury and BJB back from Quins, if Senior doesnt retire does the club offer him another deal even though it might not be in the clubs best interests considering the options we have in the pack as well as backs or does the club owe Senior another year?

It's just a situation which may or may not arise that I wondered what people thought. Whilst he has been a fantastic servant to the club, does the club necessarily owe him an extension if he doesnt voluntarily retire? Would the club not offering him an extension effectively force his retirement? Would he get a 1 year deal elsewhere? If so, would he take it?

All the above is assuming the fact he doesnt earn an extension with his form this season (currently not at his best, but then who is recently).

If Buderus, Ali and Donald all leave end of the year, that could free up a fair amount of cap space and with youngsters like McShane, Pitts etc

Any thoughts from anyone or should I have kept all this to myself :p

Edit; having said all the above, it occurred to me a lot of our success has been based on minimal swapping and changing in off seasons personnel wise. Retainment of players has been a large part of the reason we have done so well imo, does this come into play when we talk about the amount of people OOC at the end of the season and does the club feel that way too?

ha ha, i'm tieing myself in knots!

Yeah, in that case i stand by my original pick. I take on board what you say about Delaney, i think he would probably create more for Donald than Smith. However i think Smith is probably better going forward and scoring tries himself than Delaney.

I've already said on other threads that i hope we keep Ali,Disko and imo that Senior should call it a day.
With Smithy returning i wonder if that has implications on Donalds future also.
I guess the club have enough to concentrate on to get this season back on track but there's some big decisions to made re-the squad.

Now this is a very interesting question.

Presuming that we have a fully fit squad (…and just to add to the mix) all playing at their best, who would your 1 to 5 be?

I’d have to go with:

Webb, Smith, Deleany, Senior and Hall.

But I really had to think about it.

Why would you keep Lauititii and get rid of Senior?

Both have been s[ihi[/ite but both have the talent to improve and have fantastic last half of the season.

They do your right but i personally think that Ali has more "left in the tank" than Senior.
Again just my personal opinion and i think Ali started to look a bit like his old self on thursday especially in the 2nd half.

You wouldn't have donald?

He has more pace than hall and smith and is as a good a finisher.

It's really hard to pick it.

It's a tasty backline though huh? certainly a good dilemma to have.

Lauititi was one of our best players on Thursday.

So you agree keep ali and get rid of Senior?

Yes.

Based upon the season so far, I would not offer Senior a new contract. Based upon the season so far that is but that could change.

I would not hesitate in offering Ali a new contract. He is a genuine game breaker and can do things nobody else at Leeds can. He's a real threat.