People have suggested the back row as a possible destination for Wellens since it was first pointed out that he was a massive problem for us. Which was probably when he was turned inside out and laughed at by Wayne McDonald, Ali Lauititi and then Scott Donald. But has Wellens ever played anywhere other than fullback and emergency half back and wing in his time? Has he even played one minute in the backrow for Saints? Why would it be a good idea to keep him for that? We've got Makinson who has proven in a Grand Final that he can play fullback, Hohaia who has played internationally many times at fullback and Lomax who seems to have the right attributes. And that's without going into Swift, Ashe and co. The backrow isn't weak either, we really don't need a tortoise of a backrower who cannot slide over in defense.

A new contract for Wellens would be 100% sentimentality and would show the club isn't interested in winning trophies anymore. Give him a job as an ambassador, he seems a really nice lad, give him a community job, scouting and coaching in schools or something.

He has the attributes for 2nd Row. It would be a gamble, and not one I'd take personally, but not a disaster like another season at FB would be.

Wellens plays full back or he doesn't play unless there is an injury crisis. Who from next years monstrous second row would he be dislodging from a place?

Does Brown or the club in general have the balls to do that? They've shown no inclination that they do. Makinson, Gaskell, Swift, Ashe, Lomax and Hohaia are all fit and yet none of them have been played ahead of Wellens ever. It's as if he's the most secure in his position in the entire side, no one else seems to enjoy the automatic selection he does. It's a sad state of affairs and it's not nice to think Wigan have Tomkins and we're giving a new deal to a 32 year old who's been past it for years now.

Im frankly stunned at giving wello.a 2 yr deal.

I know fully expect meli to.be resigned as well.

Awful.

Sod the cladding sort the team.

Putting aside saddened's predictable ramblings, the wellens contract does appear to be tinged with sentiment, and maybe for the good of the squad development he should be allowed to move on. Maybe the early release of gilmour is tainting the decision, despite saddened's thoughts, wellens has been playing well this year, and tge thought of a saonts legend turning out for a competitor may be just too much to take.

As I said when I mentioned it, there was no statement about the length of the deal. McManus just said he would be getting a deal.

I think he made his debut at 9 and pre first team was a halfback. Obviously neither of those positions are feasible now he as the pace of an arthritic snail. I have to agree that a new deal is basically a waste of cap space, he should be at the club but not as a player

For all we know Wello's deal may be in a dual capacity roll. i.e. part time player and mentor/coach to the up and coming youngsters in the squad. For me that would be the best option.

McManus did say he was getting offered a new deal but there is nothing to say that it wont be massively reduced and nothing is forcing Wello to accept so he may want to look elsewhere.

To be honest, I think it will be 1 year rolling contract.

Don't forget, that how KC finished the last 3 years at saints with 1 year rolling contract.

Re: Gaskell inexplicable absence from the team I do wonder whether McManus has put his foot down and made the call. After all, there were numerous reports of Lance being offered assurances with respect to his role in the team prior to agreeing terms. Bear in mind that under Simmons Lance was shunted through several positions - including the bench. It's entirely possible that Lance kicked up a stink and reminded McManus of those assurances and bye-bye Gaskell. I mean, purely on the strength of team selection it seems as though Simmons preferred Gaskell to Hohaia all along. Which is certainly NOT the kind of behaviour you'd expect from a coach who busted a gut to make the signing. Or was Hohaia McManus' man from the very beginning?

Very odd indeed.

He certainly seemed to.

At the time of signing Lance, Simmons said that he had been asked to give options on who was available, bearing in mind neither Kyle nor Leon were looking like our future halfback pairing. However, the one player Royce did fight tooth and nail over getting was Laffranchi. I only know this because Laffranchi said in an interview that Royce had worked very hard to get him over here.

Snooker? Crown green bowling?