Really? I had Watkins pencilled in as long term skipper and thought he was shaping up well in the role. Would it not have a detrimental effect on Watkins, particularly considering Merrin will probably be off in 3 years and we'll then need to find a new captain.

I hadn’t thought of it like that and Watkins’s performances seemed to lift whilst having the role. Depends if Watkins wants the captaincy too I suppose

I am not convinced any of the signings made are what I was told. There might well be the correct number and positions, but I have a feeling they have been turned down/missed out on the signings they actually thought they had. Maybe not all, but certainly in a couple of instances.

Ilahihifo in part-ex for Mullally

Johnstone in from Wakey part-ex with Handley and Walters

Job done.

If only Carlsberg did SL transfers

Johnstone would require a transfer fee and a high wage - which can be better spent elsewhere.

I think we need to find out if Handley or L Briscoe can make 1st grade standard this year. Playing outside Hurrell, if you can't score tries... We do need a solid defensive player though I think, Hurrell can put a hit on but get caught out positionally. Having said all that, I do think this Leeds side lacks a bit of pace. I mean, the scary pace of Sterling, or the all-day-long pace of Calderwood or Donald. I'd like to see a winger who can really gallop - Johstone does fit that bill.

I’d like to see another winger and forward in, but I doubt we will get another winger in. I also reckon that Golding will stay but Mullally, Walters and Ormondroyd will leave.

1. Jack Walker
2. Tom Briscoe
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Konrad Hurrell
5. Luke Briscoe
6. Tuimoala Lolohea
7. Richie Myler
8. Adam Cuthbertson
9. Matt Parcell
10. Brad Singleton
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Carl Ablett
13. Stevie Ward
14. Brad Dwyer
15. Trent Merrin
16. Dom Crosby
17. Liam Sutcliffe
18. Brett Ferres
19. ????
20. Nathaniel Peteru
21. Mikolaj Oledzki
22. Ash Handley
23. Cameron Smith
24. Ashton Golding
25. Callum Mclelland
26. Harry Newman
27. Alex Sutcliffe
28. Owen Trout
29. Tom Holroyd
30. Corey Johnson
31. Tyler Dupree
32. Muizz Mustapha
33. Loui McConnell
34. Daniel Waite-Pullan

Not too far off the mark IMO Frosties. Some very exciting talent coming through the ranks there. Agree about Golding: although if another club makes a serious play for him I can see him leaving. Be interesting to see how that back line gets organised, with 2 right centres and Ryan Hall leaving. Might be temped to switch Watkins to the left actually. Watkins was put to the right because we had Senior, and Briscoe to the right to accommodate Hall. Anyway, I'm sure Furner will make the right call. If we do snag Ikahihifo in exchange for some squad players or whatever, and if he stays fit, I quite fancy us to do something.

With Merrin confirmed now our squad is starting to look a whole lot better than last year personally just think we need another prop of see decent calibre and we look as if we can get back to competing at the top.

My ideal match day 17 with hopefully everyone staying fit for majority of season.

1. Walker
2. T.Briscoe
3 Watkins
4. Hurrell
5. L.Briscoe
6. Lolohea
7. Myler
8. New prop
9. Parcell
10. Singleton
11. Ward
12. Ablett
13. Merrin

Subs

Cuthbertson
Dwyer
Crosby
Peteru/Ferres

then rest of squad JJB, L.Sutcliffe, Handley, Smith, Oldezki, Mclellend, Newman, Golding (if he stays),Mullally(if he stays), Ormandroyd (if he stays), Walters if he stays) Holroyd, Trout, C.Johnson, A.Sutcliffe and Dupree.

Yep looks strong. I'd like to see Walker beef up a bit over the next year or two. If the new prop is high quality, that is not a side other teams will relish playing, with perhaps a weakness still on the wing. Leeds aren't effing about.

Agree with this if we sign a prop I’d expect that to be squad complete and us challenging for honours.

merrin well passed his sell by date.would be good for York or donny

As much as I admire Watkins as a talented player, I’m not so sure he’s captain material. If anyone on here was at the captain’s run at AAMI Park, they’ll have heard Watkins say "It doesn’t matter, I won’t get many chances anyway", when he was missing conversions in practice, and laughing about it with Dwyer and Sutcliffe. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I highly doubt you’d have heard Sinny saying something like that.