[quote="Rhino at work":sfjzmbe9]Aaron Bower on Twitter suggests that it's not explicitly covered in the rules and is uncharted territory not having happened before. He thinks we'd have to apply to the RFL to clarify.[/quote:sfjzmbe9] God help us.

as it leeds no...

We're in a very difficult spot, so close to the start of the season and with a spot for one year only. I agree with the comment that Arthur has set the side up to start sets with big wingers taking the ball in, and those same wingers being able to smash their way through close to the line. Lumb may have a big future, but he (nor Handley) cannot do that anywhere near as effectively as a big guy. I know he's burned bridges and neither side would probably even think about it, but the closest like-for-like I can think of would be Macdonald, who has played a on the wing a lot. Can anyone think of any British players who fit the bill? Or even close? The only other consideration would be that Frawley's contract runs out this year. But we're getting into very bad territory if we have to definitely lose him next year to get a winger for this one.

Ravalawa is available.

[quote="Rhino at work":1bcsnhe4]Aaron Bower on Twitter suggests that it's not explicitly covered in the rules and is uncharted territory not having happened before. He thinks we'd have to apply to the RFL to clarify.[/quote:1bcsnhe4] Amateur hour. How can this not have been foreseen as being a possibility to require a rule for. Personally I'd replace with a now 2nd row in Watkins. If not same position overseas if allowed.

Maybe we need to ask to borrow St Helens legal team. On a serious note if it`s not in the rules then surely they cannot dispute it. And is it classed as prejudice to prevent an overseas player come in to the team when Sivo an overseas player is no longer available for the season leaving a spot free?

Seems the Salford fire sale could still be on if they don’t secure the backing. RFL has said any player signed would not count on the OS quota for this year but they would need to have sufficient cap space. Would Tim Lafai be s good pick up on a one year deal

[quote="christopher":kkqcnoun]Seems the Salford fire sale could still be on if they don’t secure the backing. RFL has said any player signed would not count on the OS quota for this year but they would need to have sufficient cap space. Would Tim Lafai be s good pick up on a one year deal[/quote:kkqcnoun] He would if it was just one year. Just got to be careful that whatever we do is done with an eye to future recruitment and not just the present.

[quote="christopher":3mmp94il]Seems the Salford fire sale could still be on if they don’t secure the backing. RFL has said any player signed would not count on the OS quota for this year but they would need to have sufficient cap space. Would Tim Lafai be s good pick up on a one year deal[/quote:3mmp94il] Cetainly would do a very nice job indeed. adds a bit of power out wide we've now lost

[quote="christopher":han5kj7t]Would Tim Lafai be s good pick up on a one year deal[/quote:han5kj7t] Hey that was my shout. Saying that I`m not sure Handley could do the job Sivo was brought in to do. A similar style/size player to Sivo would be my choice.

If we get Quota dispensation, we should deffo go for Lafai. And play Handley on the wing where he belongs. Won't happen, but Macdonald would have been ideal as cover for Sivo.... Having Blease as DOR should really give us an advantage if Salford do need to sell players.

Has there been any news on whether we can use Sivo’s quota spot this year, or has our email to the RFL got stuck in their SPAM folder?

Have we sent one? We may go as we are.

[quote="Clearwing":1frf5pq5]Have we sent one? We may go as we are.[/quote:1frf5pq5] Blease is on record as seeking their guidance so the inference is that if the opportunity presents itself we'll utilise the cap and quota space.

Surely, the quota spot should be available if the player isn’t included on the salary cap.

[quote="rugbyleague88":30rsgs2x]Surely, the quota spot should be available if the player isn’t included on the salary cap.[/quote:30rsgs2x] That is the logical answer. Unfortunately, we're dealing with the RFL here.

I wouldn’t rush out and sign another winger, it’s wrong for two reasons. 1) players getting injured is precisely how kids get the game time to develop and we need to be growing our own to a better standard, Lumb would be fine as the stand in, and 2) assuming we were to sign a starter (otherwise why would we sign anyone?) it sends a message to Maika Sivo that he will be down the pecking order when he returns. He’s likely to be in a difficult place at the moment mentally and we should be supporting him. If we are to use a OSQ spot, we should use it on a player that would be here the following year so someone would need to leave then and we would need to either use it to sign a Prop (assuming Lisone goes) or a Halfback (assuming Frawley goes). In either case we don’t really have a need there, so if we used another position we would need Frawley to go at the end of this year and be replaced by someone GB qualified (like Sinfield or Connor). It’s complex and this is why Lumb gets first shot and if he plays as well as he has before we will be fine.

Tend to agree with the above. If losing a winger threatens to derail the season then hopes of much success were pretty slim anyway.

[quote="Simmo71":2nd7w6ke]If we get Quota dispensation, we should deffo go for Lafai. And play Handley on the wing where he belongs..[/quote:2nd7w6ke] I agree. Handley is the only player that can score tries from distance and you need that kind of strike in a team. He’s a lot better on the wing.

As has been said elsewhere, how can a quota spot not open up? Would be the most illogical of decisions if it didn't.

The danger if we do nothing is that we fall further behind. Our star signing is out for the season. This makes us weaker. Obviously we have to look after his welfare, but we also need to exploit the system if we can. I get that we should be giving the young lads a chance, but this is a full season injury and already puts our squad under pressure. And if there is a fire sale at Salford, you can bet your life all the other teams will be sniffing round their players. So, the gap to the top 3 or 4 widens without Sivo and if we don't bring in a replacement. Simple as that.

[quote="Simmo71":2iihp2ck]The danger if we do nothing is that we fall further behind. Our star signing is out for the season. This makes us weaker. Obviously we have to look after his welfare, but we also need to exploit the system if we can. I get that we should be giving the young lads a chance, but this is a full season injury and already puts our squad under pressure. And if there is a fire sale at Salford, you can bet your life all the other teams will be sniffing round their players. So, the gap to the top 3 or 4 widens without Sivo and if we don't bring in a replacement. Simple as that.[/quote:2iihp2ck] Yep, spot on, couldn't agree more mate

[quote="Trebor1":f77rahtk]Yep, spot on, couldn't agree more mate[/quote:f77rahtk] I agree, but contractually we have to be careful. In a perfect world we might get Lafai (who is in the last year of his contract) or even Ravalawa at St George, but we have to keep an eye on next year and beyond. Do we really want to be stuck with more quota three quarters than we can fit into our starting team for 26, when most fans would acknowledge the pack and potentially half back will also need strengthening. If Blease can come up with a one season deal that's almost like for like I will doff my hat.

If we sign a centre or winger, it has to be a one year deal. If we signed a 2nd row or half back, it would likely be to replace Lisone or Frawley next year.

[quote="ArthurClues":1esj737j]I agree, but contractually we have to be careful. In a perfect world we might get Lafai (who is in the last year of his contract) or even Ravalawa at St George, but we have to keep an eye on next year and beyond. Do we really want to be stuck with more quota three quarters than we can fit into our starting team for 26, when most fans would acknowledge the pack and potentially half back will also need strengthening. If Blease can come up with a one season deal that's almost like for like I will doff my hat.[/quote:1esj737j] I think one or both of Lisone and Frawley will be gone end of this season