I can't remember seeing Manuokafoa having an announcement about his signing anywhere but i'm sure there was one for Levy, may be mistaken on that though.

I think we'll see more of Knowles next year personally, I wouldn't run him in the super 8s unless we are guaranteed a home play off game before the last game.

The ones I want to know where they're at are the ones who are in their last year at u19. The likes of Hewitt (looks likely to be going), McCauley, Ryan, Davies, Fleming. Will they be kept on as back up or look elsewhere? There's only Davies and Fleming (expect to keep him) who's made their debut for the team.

Manuokafoa decided to go back home to Australia instead. Levy signed a professional contract for next year.

Unless Hewitt pulls a rabbit out of the hat I can't see much future for him - especially as it seems Long has his eye on another. The later age group face being squeezed out by the following cohort. Saints can only offer terms to a limited number. That said, it would be foolish to cut any of these lads loose before they've at least had another year to flesh out. At one point I figured Ryan would be a likely mover up to first team. But from what I've seen and heard he's been treading water lately.

Who's the other you're on about regarding Long? Richardson or someone not from the club?

Personally, I think keeping a few of the older group depends on whether a reserves is set up, if not I doubt we'll keep hold of many. Looking at the age above Hewitt and co is Sav, Richards, Thompson and Charnock. The only one who's not playing regularly is Charnock who seems content at being back up for now. I can't see us keeping many from Hewitt's lot.

Richardson.



I like Charnock. His front-on defence is positively brutal and his workrate seems pretty high, too. He doesn't seem particularly quick which means unless he's got some excellent handling skills I can't see any future for him at nine other than in some kind of McIlorum-type role. That's not necessarily a bad thing - especially when you need that extra bit of bite against some of the tougher packs. But I don't see him holding down the hooking role without some kind of rotation off the bench.

The fullback issue is a real nightmare for next season. With two players out with career-threatening injuries it's impossible to make any kind of firm plans. Even if both come back fully fit we've kind of boxed ourselves into a corner over where either will play if the other gets the fullback slot. I think McDonnell can play on the wing quite comfortably. But whether we'd be getting the full benefit of his talents on the flanks I'm not sure.

It strikes me that McDonnell prefers to hunt down the centre of the field. His footwork and support play are a real help for us given that both Turner and Percival really are ploughing a lone furrow down their respective channels.

I can't see him ousting either Turner or Percy, not least because he's fairly lightweight and we're already as close to as light as we can be in that position.

If McDonnell gets the fullback role the only option for Lomax seems to be hooker. That is unless Walsh's leg is irrecoverable and he's forced back to the halves as a temporary measure.

And I've not even begun to think about the nightmare scenario of both failing to recover fully, breaking down in training or needing an extended period to regain confidence...

I have said on here a few times, Danny Richardson is a natural footy player and probably the best prospect in the club. Being a halfback is even better.

Richardson looks a very good player, and Rob Fairclough has looked good when I have seen him. I'm not as convinced as some on here about Morgan Knowles though. In my admittedly limited viewing of him he hasn't really impressed.

Knowles is Imo to good for u19s now and needs a extra challenge of maybe going out on loan (I know deadline has passed) but he's a good athlete.

I know Grace is getting first team contract next year and Id imagine Wellington will also.

There is no limit but you can only really have so many players in the first team squad and give each player a fair chance of making it.

Assuming Hewitt and Fozard out while Hagerty, Knowles, Richardson, Grace, Wellington, Nzoungou and Bailey in, that would take the squad size to 34 which is already a big squad.

There are others in the u19s that would appear to be worth a contract as well. You can see why the club is screaming out for a second team competition.

Can anyone provide a list of who has been offered a pro contact for next year?

Grace and Nzongou are rumoured on here? Saints usually put out a news report about those promoted later in the year - a couple of years ago we announced signing Dawson bundled in with it!

Lomax
Makinson Percival Turner Swift
Burns Walsh
Amor Roby Walmsley
Greenwood Vea
Wilkin

Tasi <another prop signing> Thompson LMS

Bailey
Grace Dawson Wellington Fleming(?)
SMD Richardson
Richards Charnock Savelio
Peryoux Davies
Knowles

Nzongou Haggerty Ashworth(?) Fozard(?)

Only 4 in the second team who haven't made their debut yet... Few question marks over some though and whether theyll still be here

Levy is clearly being fast-tracked. But it's important to remember he's only been at the club a few weeks. Difficult choice whether to bring him up early.

I've been one of a very few who was happy with Dawson getting another couple of years as he's cheap and a good stand in...however, I'm open to changing my mind and I'm kind of wishing we'd have brought one of these younger lads through instead.

We seem to be producing really good kids these days.

Unless Dawson finds some form very quickly he'll be completely out of the picture next season.

All I know is that there are now quite a few current under 19s players that are training with the first team. They are:

Grace
Wellington
Richardson
Knowles
Spedding
Levy
Bailey

I don't know if they are going to get a first team contract for next year, but they are all training with the first team right now.

Apart from Wellington, they all have one year remaining at under 19s level.