I'd be very very happy with Burns. IMO he's a top super league player. He plays the game hard and very skilful clever player. He'd certainly be my number one target for 2015 with a good prop. That's my two priority positions I think we need.

Burns would be a very competent replacement to hohaia (assuming he is going, and wheeler too) - my concern is having to pay a transfer fee for him. I can't help but feel there would be better options to go for, if transfer fees come into play. Until it's announced hohaia and wheeler are going, the top priority should be backrow and prop.

I'd pay a fee for Burns. He looks the sort that will have no problems to settle at all.

Who are the better options ?

For me, if were paying transfer fees/ player swaps - then the obvious is Sneyd - he could be groomed with Walsh for a few years before taking over the reigns. (I genuinely believe a sob story returning jordan turner to his home town club England knights international saints player of the season, would move koukash's stubborn position!) the other transfer fee option would be ratchford, who whilst may automatically written off, might be available at the right price given the talk in Warrington of the halfback over haul, and would compliment Walsh really well with his running game.

Failing that, and moving away from transfer fees, I reckon jordan rankin at hull could be worth a punt - rumour has it he will be victim to the mass clear out, and I think has suffered from hullitus - aka not being used as effectively as he could be. Strong runner and done a decent job from what I've seen (albeit limited)

I'd take Burns over Sneyd every day of the week. Burns is a proven super league player with that aggression and fire we are missing. People don't see past his "dirty" player tag but he's a very clever player.

I'd have ratchford without a shadow of a doubt but it will take a big big fee to get him and we won't pay big money for anyone.

So Burns and Hampshire are nailed on? Where's Hampshire gonna play then?

I don't think they are. I know we won't Burns and not sure how that's gone but heard nothing on Hampshire at all. Hasn't Hampshire just signed a new deal ?

Depends what Warrington have planned for their halfback clear out

he's never really nailed down his position so if a reasonable offer came along at a time when they need cap space to pull off whatever audacious plan is supposedly in place you never know.

Sneyd has a key advantage over burns in time. He's not as complete a player yet as burns granted, but I think he a) has the potential to be international class and b) complements Walsh a lot better - there's a potential that burns and Walsh will clash as both try and control the team.

Rankin could be the next hooper with the right coaching, the exact type of player were missing from our squad...

I agree with the time on his side regarding Sneyd but we need a stand off now! We've gone far to long with a mock up halfback pairing and that's been the real big reason we've won nothing.

To be honest it's shocking we've played so long with one or no halfbacks that are out and out halves. We've now got whàt I believe to be the best 7 in super league but we can't just rely on him all time and messing about with the 6 every week doesn't help Walsh or the team.

This year we've had wello, Wilkin, Wheeler and lance play 6. Last year we had GOB, Wilkin, wello, wheeler, lomax, Gaskell and Turner all play 6. That's not good at all.

Wigan have two settled halves in smith and green. Leeds have had Sinfield and McGuire. Warrington had briers and Myler and those teams win things.

Warrington look a shadow of the team from last year now and that's due to disruption in the halves. The successful saints teams of the past always had to good halves.

We need a proven quality 6 to play with Walash.

Oh I agree, but having a fully fledged, peaking 6 now means 2/3 years down the road well be in the same position with Walsh moving on and burns on a downward slope. Sneyd is already better that what we have now as a 6, and can be our long term 7 if Walsh moves on. It's all about stability as you say, and buying in a 30 year old only postpones it temporarily. That's fine, but for a fee I'd like a little more stability.

Burns will give us 3 good years easy.

I think you add Burns to this current team and a good tough rough prop and youd see a massive difference. Aggressive players like Burns bring out the aggression in other players and we wouldn't be a walk over as we have been in tough games.

Burns for 3 years gives us plenty of time to find a a younger halfback or produce one of our own.

Burns for Hohaia

Aston Simms for laffranchi

Tariq Simms for Manu/sia

I beeline we'd win things with the above transfers

Trying to get an available proven half back is like dragons teeth these days, can,t see any team willing to release one unless there is a big financial gain.
It might be easier to sign up and develop Eden,s defensive game at full back and get Lomax working at 6 with Walsh.