I really liked the look of Ned McCormack, so the Sivo injury likely knocks him up the pecking order when there are backs injuries. Max Simpson was also very highly rated and Lumb hasn't disappointed when selected. It gives them three players more of a look in.

Sivo was the big X factor / marque signing though and so I would like us to sign an x actor player at some stage this season whether that be a 2nd row or half back etc., simply to give us a push for the back end of the season. Not signing an x factor player certainly weakens us.

Whichever way you look at it and whatever the club decide to do... losing Sivo for the season is a huge huge blow... it really is. His ability would and could have made the difference between a win and a loss at times this coming season.. severely weakens our attack.

Plenty of Sports Insurers out there for Professional and Elite Sports, including rugby players

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He hasn't played and isn't going to play this season. He's removed completely from the cap. With regard to the quota, there is no defensible position other than to remove him for the season.

It's pretty poor stuff that there's no guidance on quota spot already in the rules. Shambles.

and why is it taking them so long to confirm whether we have a free quota spot or not.

Absolutely. The two go hand in hand. Rank amateur stuff yet again.

Agreed. Poor that it's not in the rules to start with, another level of poor that this just wasn't sorted within 10 mins of the issue being raised.

Its absolutely amateur

That's a bit harsh. Its just an issue that's never come up before, so isn't codified. The cap exemption will only have been applied a few times since it was first mooted (be interesting to know, as absolutely certain pre season-ending injuries aren't that common). Anyone who has any experience of contracts or legislation will know that these things are often drafted with what seem to be "obvious" gaps. Filling those gaps, despite how obvious they might be, often isn't straightforward, as there may be a tortuous process to do so.