I do hope your information on this is solid Tad. A great signing if the Sleeve pulls it off would finish our 2016 squad in fine fashion.

I would second that



In all realistic reality a quality hooker is all we need for 2016. The following season a quality half back will increase in priority ....

IF we do sign Clark and the much rumoured quality halfback (even if [ionly[/i Widdop) then xmas will have come early. Might even buy a season ticket myself despite the 200 mile round trip

Would make a massive difference to how 2016 develops. Sign him and think we can stay ahead of the pack in the hunt for trophies. Don't sign him (or another hooker) and we get dragged back into the pack.

Out of interest, you or anyone else, you don't think that Sinfield back in the side consistently is why we have been ahead of the pack this year?

Said a couple of years ago that we should build our next great side around Clark and Hardaker. Hope it happens.

Probably one reason. I think a bigger bearing has been that for the first time in a number of years we've had a pack which is dominating.

The mid season aquisition of Garbutt has really added size and depth, Cuthbertson's impressive yardage, but more importantly the massive effect he's had on our attacking strategy with his ball handling and off loading, and equally - if not more importantly - we've been giving big minutes to a 'proper' hooker, who has laid a great platform for the forwards and also provided creativity on attacking plays.

Oh I wasn't trying to make out Sinfield above any other player this year, it is more that controlling again, and the fact that he isn't here next year. I think people still underestimate that loss.

Absolutely.Its only in time will we truly appreciate what a truly great all round rugby player Sinfield is/was. I predict many threads popping up stating this and bemoaning his departure from as early as next season.

I do worry about that. Not just on the pitch but his influence off it too.
No disrespect to Peacock but I get the feeling that we aren't as reliant on him this year as others are sharing the workload.

Sinfield has played a key part in our second half of the season and of course will be missed but we stronger/more balanced in other areas than previous years which could still allow us to remain the leading contender like we are this year.

Also remember the big gap we built in the league table came from a strong start to the year. Sinfield started the year slowly and also missed the away wins vs Cas and Catalans and Wigan at home through injury and only came off the bench in the big win at Saints.

We did go through a slump mid season but can we honestly say it wouldn't have happened if Sinfield has been consistently starting every game?

We could lose some games next year due to lacking his game management but we could also win some due to having a more running threat at HB if Sutcliffe or Brierley for example play there instead. And we are scoring so many points with our style that the number of close games, the ones Sinfield excels in have decreased this year.

Also I don't the other side's have recruited in a way that with make major differences. Yes Wigan have Tomkins but will he be as good as before and to get him they've not strengthened in other areas. Saints look like they'll be pretty much the same and Hudds will again be their or their abouts in the hunt for a top 4 spot. Warrington are the team most likely to change but a lot depends on how Sandow does. If he disappoints then they'll be back to square 1 possibly and of course if we get Clark, who will they get at 9. If Farah then that's big, but someone else signing might not strike fear in other teams.

Don't get me wrong, we will miss Sinfield but think we can still be the leading challenger. If he stayed....

2016 - Sinfield, but no new hooker
2016 - new hooker possibly Clark, but no Sinfield

Which is worst?

He will be a big loss which is why I think we need to sign an experienced half back. Danny is a great player with many attributes but game control isn't one of them and that needs addressing.

Personally I think we are a better side than last year and the other sides are weaker - Sinfield helps but as we saw on Friday if one of the top sides turns up and performs having Sinfield in the side makes little difference if the side as a whole doesn't perform.

We will desperately miss Sinfield. He's the capain, the goal kicker, the leader and the main creative force.

I think it is with that in mind that the club have re-built the pack so that the halves will, hopefully, be under less pressure and have more room and time to play. A big aid in Sutcliffe's development will be playing off the back of Garbutt, Cuthbertson, Galloway and Singleton and, fingers crossed a quick ruck exploited by a hooker of Clarke's caliber.