An interesting point, especially when you factor in that there will be two fewer clubs in SL the following season, ie at least 50 fewer jobs available for full-time pro rugby players, so many of them are going to be out of work in just over 12 months.

If i where any of those players i would be trying to secure my future, like i said it may be beneficial for them to leave one struggler and join another as they may to be better placed to avoid being out a job in 12 months.

I'd suspect there would be a general resettling of players after the trapdoor closes.

Every club, even those near the top and in no particular danger of dropping out will have the odd 'journeyman' in the higher squad numbers, and it may well be that every man in the best 17 of both relegated clubs will be better players than those in say, 18 - 30 in higher placed clubs. It's certainly going to be an interesting time but a nervy one if you're making a living from the game.

Won't happen as there is a 500K parachute payment.

With that the two clubs can easily continue to pay superleague level contracts because that's why Bradford don't need the other half of their sky cash.

my view on the squad for 2014 is that we need a lot of work for such an important season. If we assume we want a squad size of around 30 including youngsters that gives us a starting 17 plus a backup/squad/youth spot for for the starting 13. (not always a direct backup, we dont need 4 halfs for example, but I would have 6 props) Im going to include only players either under contract for next season based on silsdenbulls list or players confirmed in;

[ustarter[/u...............................[ubackup/squad/youth[/u
1 FB..Kearney...................Naughton
2 W...Kear.........................Purtell
3 C...???...........................Wood
4 C...???............................???
5 W...Foster......................???
6 SO..Sammut.................???
7 SH..Gale.........................???
8 P...Scruton.....................???
9 H...Diskin........................O'Brien
10 P...Manase.....................???
11 BR..Olibison...................Roberts
12 BR..Ferguson.................Mellor
13 BR..Bateman..................???

14 P...Sidlow
15 P...Carvell
16 H...Heath
17 BR..Walker


I make that 21 confirmed for next season assuming Purtell/Kearney/Heath all stay (have I missed anyone?). We have a lot of work to do retaining and signing to bulk that squad out. Im sure signings are in the pipline, but we need plenty (9) to just stand still with the quailty of this year, never mind pushing on. With the glaring gap being centre, followed by cover for outside backs and halfs if Kearney leaves.

I know its stating the obvious, but I think its useful to see the gaps in the squad when we're taking about recruitment/retention and doing it on a shoestring. I can understand why we might let people go who are on historically big contracts or have been offered bigger deals elsewhere, we need to maximise value for money out of every squad space.

But theres also a lower salary cap in League below so clubs going down will have to release players or break the cap.

I was assuming that will have to be raised surely?

If purtell stays he wont be just a backup. He'll get one of starting /wing spots. He might be overrated but he's still a decent SL level player.

In reality you're right, but its not where I'd have him, Id sign two centres and start with Foster and Kear on the wings. Plus the squad spot still needs filling either way.....bit of artistic licence

With a bit of luck we will manage to keep hold of Blythe, and Platt will re-sign too.
I'm not that impressed with Purtell, but if he decides to play on we are effectively stuck with him and who knows, maybe with a full pre-season he might do a bit better than his form this season. There's another winger in Ainscough who has already said would come back - even for what we offered him last season - if we need further backup there.
Halves is a worry, which is why I put so much emphasis on retaining Addy. He would also provide cover for SR, LF and Hooker. For this reason I said it was vital we keep him, and it looks like he'll be off at the end of the season.

Retaining Addy looks more important given the now open trapdoor to oblivion. We need cover for positions for when the injuries inevitably strike.

Whitcut's comment about the full cap being available means we should be able to hang onto anyone we want to keep unless they're asking silly money. If the squad starts to look even more short handed or low on genuine experience like this year then it's obvious he speak with forked tongue!

From what I've heard retaining Addy is looking a little more likely now. clubs looking to sign him were unaware they will still have to pay us a fee for his development.