The strange thing re that is today, only Harrison would stand out as being tall. Kay and Jones would just be run of the mill sized.

Tony Kay was a real cult figure of mine. Loved his awkward swivel hips style of play.

Dead Ball was rubbish

Harrison was a decent journeyman pro.

I agree with that - no way is Boof a front rower and TP does a much better job for us there because of his sheer size. Laffranchi was a really effective back rower in the NRL and could really shine there alongside the others you mention.

Thats how I'd play it too.

Obviously you would not play the same guys each week, we need to give Forester etc a go and not just for injuries.

A pack of TP Roby Perry Sia Manu Wilkin

sub LMS, Clough, Flanaghan, Forester

is still a good enough pack when playing teams lower down the division and gives Laffranchi or whoever more rest time for the end of season and the youngsters time to develop alongside a strong pack.

I dunno about that - all 3 were 6' 5" and over as I recall. Tony Kay was one of my favourite players ever actually - I've never seen another player who clearly loved every second he had playing in a Saints shirt as much as he did. He couldn't either make or break a tackle to save his life but I loved watching him anyway. Harrison was a great meat and potatoes player - if Walmsley ends up as good we'll be doing OK. Jones was quite posssibly the worst player I've ever seen in a Saints shirt...

Who was Jones?

So, is the considered opinion of the posters that this is a good signing, and well done Mr McManus?

I think we should file it for later use, when he fails to win 10 consecutive man of the match awards, and people start to say that our recruitment is appalling. Am sure that people were equally pleased at the signing of great young prospects and current internationals like Shenton and LMS, but time seems to dim some memories.

Paul Jones... Decent defensive workhorse but the worst player with ball in hand you'll ever see in the top division - he could have played with oven gloves on and you'dve noticed no change in the quality of his handling. I remember one midweek game against Bradford where we ripped them apart with one long flowing passing move after another all night (those were the days) and [ievery single one of them[/i broke down the instant anyone passed it to him, usually with a knock on. If you were lucky he just died with it when he got the ball and I don't think he ever made a pass in his life.

The less you know the better probably

Really positive signing if he's as aggressive and destructive as people are saying which, added to Manu who is an absolute machine, really does give our pack a more formiddable look for 2013.

For all the (justified) criticism the club have copped over our recruitment, they've noticed the weaknesses in our pack and at least made an effort to address them.

Definitely, should be done NOW.

A certain video hosting site shows a glimpse of Walmsley’s 2 tries for Batley v Halifax 2/9/2012.

Nice little dummy to beat the fullback on the second try.

Alex will rip it up in Super League, i will wager anything he's Englands first choice prop within 2 years, ive watched him play since his amateur days and this was the only possible outcome, he is truly awesome and much better than Chris Hill was in his Championship days.