Well, no-one will be able to replace James Graham. But presumably what Royce meant was that he was a direct replacement for the position. I think he would have said nothing at all about it had there not been rumours around TP going and suggestions in the media that Laffranchi was a direct replacement for TP.

Sometimes you've just got to get yourelves the best player available. Ideally we'd have kept James Graham, but signing a player who has recently played for Australia, has been extremely reliable in the NRL for 9-10 years is very good work in my view. Simmons confirmed in his interview that when HE worked with him 4 or 5 years ago at West Tigers, he did play alot at prop and is easily capable of playing there, so we'll see. Puletua was originally signed as a back rower for us but has had to play prop and has been great because he's big, adapatable and a quality player. Laffranchi fits that bracket also. The fact he isn't a quota player is also a bonus for our squad.

Let's see what else McManus delivers before we complain as there will be several more players joining.

It comes to something when fans arn't impressed when we sign an Ozzie test and SOO star

My thoughts exactly. He is a brilliant signing, if he stays injury free and settles over here he will be as good a signing as any Super League team could have hoped for.

I don't know what more people expect.

I don't think many are doubting his quality. But given that we're losing our best two forwards in Graham and Puletua and have so far only replaced them with one backrower, I think everyone is just concerned that our squad will once again be unbalanced, full of kids and trophyless for another few years.

Is Tony P definitely leaving now? The last I heard he was still umming and arring over whether to stay, or go back to Auz.

He's happy with the terms Saints have offered but is undecided whether he is going to stay or move back home.

In the paper again today that he has already agreed a deal with Warrington. How do you know this?

I think it's more a question of what we are losing.

Which paper?

Except hes no more of "Ozzie test and SOO star" than Phil Bailey was and look how we took the mickey out of the pie eaters

You need to reserve judgement on him.....we've had a real mixed bag as have most clubs. You get ...

The ones that 'need a year to settle in' ....then come good
The ones that 'need a year to settle in' ........and never ever come good
The ones that come over here with big reputations..and fail to deliver
The ones who get 'home sick' ....and bugger off early
The ones who are class and you count down the days til they go home hoping they'll extend their stay

I'm sure we can all think of example players to fit the bill for most categories.

Have to say I'm impressed with saints this year..missing a lot of players in key positions and playing real well. Your 'big' names are really standing up...I just wonder how long they can keep doing it with so many out.

Hopefully the missing will start to return soon. We got Perry (and Eastmond) back last week, and Flannery is due back this week (but we lose TP for the week!). In theory at least, all of the missing bar Clough and Pryce should - and that is only a should - be back within the next three weeks. Of course, some more could join the absentees in that time ... but hopefully not.

I can see the team for the Leeds match at the start of June being close to full strength (unless there's more injuries!)