Total speculation AFAIW, founded on a report a few weeks ago about when Les was supposed to be out of contract with Gloucester.

Excellent for publicity, support, etc but not sure it would be for the team. If he came for peanuts than absolutely.

I'd rather have Shonnie back, but that one's not going to happen when he's on the fringe of the England squad.


What happened to John Rudd? He looked solid if a little unfit when pleying for the reserves, would have thought he'd have been considered seen as wing is our weakest area.

I wouldn't. When Les knew he was leaving, he still continued to put his everything into the Bulls until he left. Hape looked a lot like he just couldn't be *rsed as soon as he knew he was off to the dark side.

I think we are quality winger short of been a quality team.

Personally think we are a centre short..

I would like to see the Volcano back but i'm not sure how much i would expect of him. Obviously won't be the player who left us, but should be as good as what we have at least.

Hood and Macca pretty well said that at the Forum. Seems clear that when the opportunity to sign an outstanding 7 and on-field leader arose instead, that was seen as more crucial than Walker. Experience to date suggests the right decision was taken, I'd say? Especially given how Rikki seems to be developing into a TV-lite.

They acknowledged we were light in that area, but the clear implication was that we did not have the resources to spend any more - if indeed the right non-quota player was available and interested anyway.

To differentiate the emotional from the practicalAre his knees knackered? - It would appear not. 55 matches for Gloucester (51 being on for 80 mins) and 20 matches as an ever present so for this year suggests that his fitness and resilience levels are excellent.Trimmed down now to 17 1/2 stone.
It would be naive to suggest that being tackled in RU is so much less physical than in RL, though his RU role on the wing has a lesser requirement to use him as a go forward player in centre pitch.
Is he too old and past his best?Is he available? Leslie signed a 3 year contract from the start of the 2007/8 season which will expire around may/june this year. There has been so far no reports of an extension to his contract though talks are ongoing
[iGoucester Web Site
Thus its arguable that Leslie is now playing some of his best rugby - rather than as a has been suggested by some posters.
Would I welcome Lesley back to the Bulls? Too damn right I would! and its nothing to do with emotion.
So what might his options be? re-sign for Gloucester, sign for another RU club or return to SL.
The shedheads (who are as notorious and properly uninformed as any other fans forum) seen to think that the sticking point is the length of contract. - Leslie wants another 3/4 years. Gloucester are offering 2.
Other RU clubs are unlikely to offer 2 years+. The reason is that they have so many quality players in their game from other counties to recruit with proven international experience. As well as Australia, its New Zealand, South Africa, France, Scotland. Ireland, Wales and the South Sea Islands, Canada and Argentina.
My modest opinion Leslie might be looking for a 4 year contract to take him to 35 and whilst money will be an important factor I believe it is the term of contarct that might appeal to him most

I must admit I would be a bit uneasy offering a 4 year deal. I was thinking more on the lines of until the end of 2011 with maybe a further year option based on appearances.

And something that I accidently omitted.
His wages would be pro-rata under salary cap for the rest of our season, and could anyways be artificially massaged under a long term contract.
I'm not sure that qualification under RU rules for England automatically qualify him under RL regs

Why?
I dont especially disagree with your opinion but you should give reasons

How's that?

That the first few months of his contarct are at a certain rate and that the following years are at another.
Reasons are various.
Accepted I know nothing about RL contacts, just basing it on commercial ones in practice.

I think he should be back at Odsal.

If I was McNamara and Hood then I would be down at Kingsholm with the contract and pen now.