Merrin is a different situation. The player is at the end of his career, and it’s likely if he came to Leeds we’d be his last club.
The other thing I’d say is that no club has a divine right to be the Chosen Altar for any player who hasn’t come up through the academy / supported them as a kid. It’s a professional choice for others and they have money, family, friends etc to consider. I do think Leeds is a club that grows on overseas players if they settle, but let’s not judge anyone. If Merrin comes, he will be committed because he’s a senior player who knows what he’s doing.

I would probs go with

Walker
Briscoe T
Hurrell
Watkins
Jennings/Briscoe L
Lolehea
Myler
Cuthbertson
Parcell
Singleton
Ward
Ablett
Merrin

McClelland
Garbutt
Crosby
Smith

Walker;
Briscoe Watkins Hurrell Handley;
Lolohea Myler;
Cuthbertson Parcell Singleton;
Ward Ablett;
Merrin

Dwyer Crosby Peteru Ferres

Currently that’s my team.

Goodness me that pack makes me cry.

I agree.
Cuthbertson- not a go forward prop Garbut is much better
Parcell- last seasons form average
Singleton- average
Ablett- no longer good enough = squad player
Ward- probably injured
Merrin- very good

I would swap Cuthbertson for Garbutt get another prop and one more second rower and we should be ok!

I'm hoping Furner wants his fully fit match 17 will be something like this.

Walker
T.Briscoe
Watkins
Hurrell
L.Briscoe
Lolohea
Myler
New Prop
Parcell
Singleton
Ferres
Ward
Merrin

Subs
Cuthbertson
Dwyer
Crosby
Peteru/ Ablett

Rest of First team squad: JJB, Smith, Oledzki, L.Sutcliffe,Handley, Golding, Mclellend, Newman, Trout, Dupree, Holroyd and C.Johnson.

Swap Handley for L.Briscoe and that's what it'll be

Forgot about Dwyer, Peteru and Ferres - oops.

I would be getting Handley and Golding out on the minimum of season loans if not selling them.

Doubt we could sell em. Who'd pay when our need to shed players is so transparently obvious?

Hull!


We can bank on Hull.

I do think some on here have unrealistic expectations of a huge turnaround in playing staff for next season, we aren't suddenly going to get a whole new pack.

I fully expect 2020 to be the year we see big changes in playing roster.

Golding, Hall, Moon, Delaney, Garbutt, Keinhorst, Mullally, Galloway, Jordan-Roberts, Lilley, Walters.

I’d say that is a huge turnaround imo.

Golding, Garbutt, Mullaly, Walters havent gone anywhere yet, Galloway didnt pull his boots on last year and my point is with the players already confirmed to have gone I don’t see many more going, 2020 will be different and

One thing that hasn't really been discussed I'd what Peteru's role will be next season, will he used as a prop or back row? I'm expecting good things from him if he has some luck with injuries.

We badly need props and effective back rowers.

Sadly,trent merrin has changed his mind and will stay at penrith rather than the bumper contract at leeds.

Yes he’s a big thing but I think he might be a back row perhaps. Hopefully Furner will sort this out.

I think Merrin is more in the SOL mould than Garbutt (if he is still leaving) - actually I’m not so bothered about a back row of Ferres, Ward, Smith plus JJB, Ablett, Peteru, maybe Trout or Mustapha from Academy. Maybe Sutcliffe (who won’t play centre over Hurrell or Watkins unless as cover). Singleton, Crosby, Oledzki, Holroyd... front row needs something else, especially with running hookers like Parcell and Dwyer.

If we fail to supplement that pack with real quality for 2019 we’ll end up with a transition year. If we manage to, we could be challenging again straight off the bat. Just a couple of good signings short of a decent looking squad.

I’m guessing Handley will get a wing spot.

I totally agree. He has a bit of pace. If we can get him hitting gaps out wide with Watkins or hurrell on his shoulder it could be a devastating combination. 2nd row for me all day long.

Was that a slip of the tongue by Burgess in that interview!!!!!!!!!

Interview?

If your talking about the twins in the rugby AM studio, I thought exactly same too.

Do tell ?

Is this a new video or the one from the other week on Rugby AM where George said he could see himself finishing his career in SL and if he did he’d love it to be with Leeds as he supported us as a boy and has never played at Headingley at 1st team level

Yea it's from a week or so back when George was talking about Hurrell. Probably nothing in it but you never know.