Bateman it is

Yoda? Thought you were busy selling out to a well known telephone company.

Hope it is Bateman. That wil be brilliant news.

I'd like Stuart Fielden to come back, especially as we are now 2 or 3 front rowers down. Heard we are bringing Liam McAvoy through, but we need the experience of someone like Fielden in the team.

Also think Jamie Foster may be a good option but not sure if he is OOC or not.

Bateman extension and i will be delighted. A key building block in our future plans.

If Bateman has signed an extension then that's great news.

Personally, I'd like the club to try and make him the face of the club. A Robbie Paul for a new era sort of thing

Regarding the non federation situation what about elima ? Was he federation couldn't it be that that hi the one gap we need and nas slips into that non fed spot ?

Great, we go from Robbie Paul to a guy with a rats tail and crooked teeth as a poster boy.

Lets leave John to just his best attribute, his rugby!

I suspect with a smaller pot to play with despite being able to use the full SC, the Club are concentrating on making sure the higher profile contracts are sorted first, Shaun for whatever reason may be down the order on that list. It's a difficult juggling act for the Club and with no actual RL experienced Manager negotiating the contracts Agents will be trying it on as well! Patience will be needed at the moment, but we forget we go through this every off season!

hopefully JB's contract extension a done deal will free up the log jam and we will see what the plans are for wingers props and half backs.

I am curious would it be worth snapping Joe Mellor up now as a stand off or seven he would provide some cover and competition even if not first choice - gaskell i agree could be the best option but AFAWK it could be a shot in the dark and not happening. I think maybe Gareth O'Brien (more of a 7 I know but he may be available for a loan) or there was the young 6-7 at catalan who impressed for france end of 2011 but i cant remeber his name.

I would like ideally Sammut but I understand that may be an impossible option and I like Cain but promoting him to first choice 6 with so little experience and nobody ready to help if needed it will be difficult.

Also curious - when the jeffries rumours were rife early on I remember hearing disco was retiring this year?? we have heard no more and I am hopefull he plays on but we will see.