Ben Evans into backrow.

Donaldson and Ferguson in the second row is pretty solid defensively.

Now looks quite significant that we kept Donno. The official statement says that Batemen has put in several transfer requests over the last 2yrs so the club must have always known this had the potential to happen.

IMO, the loss of Whitehead was a bigger loss than Bateman.

Looking through the stats on the SL website, Bateman consistently failed to make top 10 on pretty much every important stat. Where as Whitehead makes a fair few appearances.

TBH, I think the trouble with Bateman is that he's had people in his ear telling him what a superstar he's going to be and huge glittering future he's going to have. Thing is, no one seems to have told him he needs to have put in a lot more work than he has done to achieve that level that's expected of him.

He may knuckle down at Wigan as I'm sure their head coach won't stand for any of the rumoured shenanigans that Bateman's gotten involved with. But there's question marks over his fitness and commitment.

1. Kearney
2. Kear
3. Purtell
4. Henry
5 Foster
6 Addy
7 Gale
8 Scuton
9 L strange
10 Nas
11 Ferguson
12 Walker/Evans
13 Donaldson

14 Sammat
15 Carvell
16 Sidlow
17 Winterstein

Team barely changes for me with Bateman leaving. Donno just comes in to start instead of him.

Bateman isn't as big a loss as some are making out (yet). If he manages to reach the undoubted potential he has, he will be a big loss. But he hasn't reached it yet, and as yet, isn't good enough that him being missing makes a huge impact. Donaldson offers more in defence, albeit less in attack. No big difference on current ability/form IMO.

I think I'll be waiting till a bit nearer the season before I name my fave starting 17. I've a feeling there are some more announcements in the pipeline.

Kearney
Kear
Henry
Blythe
Foster
Sammut
Gale
Carvell
Diskin
Manuokafoa
Ferguson
Winterstein
Addy

O'Brien
Sidlow
Scruton
Evans

That leaves Purtell, Walker, Olbison, Donaldson, Roberts, Wood, Mellor, Conroy, George and Gaskell as back up, or interchangable depending on the opposition.

Ok, so I know this will not be the first choice but this would be mine if I was given the chance to pick

1. Kearney
2. Kear
3. Henry
4. Blythe
5. Foster
6. Gaskell
7. Gale
8. Scruton
9. O'Brien
10. Manuokafoa
11. Ferguson
12. Winterstein
13. Addy

14. Sammut
15. Sidlow
16. Carvell
17. Olbison

Bit of impact off the bench in Sammut.
Also if Kearney leaves I'd like to see Kear at FB, was great for Wales at FB.

Agree about kear at fullback. Think it's his best position. Games when Kearney was injured last year FC seemed to prefer Foster there though.
What about Sammut at fullback with Gaskell at standoff. Think Sammut and Gale doesn't work particularly well as a halves combo. Gale's slow decision making tends to nullify Sammuts off the cuff style of play. Suspect he could be more effective chiming in from full back, and he's played there plenty in the past. Gaskell could complement Gale better at standoff.

Well I'm hoping FC was watching the game. I was playing with the thought of Sammut at FB but I have a lot more confidence in Kear when it comes to the high ball.

It doesn't matter who you play with Gale he's so indecisive play would stifle anyone he plays with.

Agree but FC seems to see something in him we're all missing.

Hope if Gale doesn't produce next season that Gaskell & Sammut will get a chance to impress.

If Gale is going to be our 7 (Which looks to be Cummins' plan) he needs to learn to control a game and his decision making will be a big part of that. Think next year will be the big test for him, had an op to sort himself out so hopefully he'll be raring to go.

Gale's departure to be announced shortly!

LS postcode probably.

I can't tell if this is tongue in cheek or not!

yes H13 it is difficult to tell, given that Frank categorically stated Whitehead was not going to the Dragons and Sammut was defo for Salford. Gale has to move on from last season, ideally moving the team around the park for us, otherwise whats the point of having him?

Who'd want to sign him?

Hmmm, Wakey? London? Cas? They’ve no money so I doubt it. Perhaps Hull? They’re good at signing average halfbacks.

Anyway I'm hopeful that Gale will have a better season next year, he shoudl hopefully be injury free and over his off field distractions.

Bingo.

Is this the good news fans have been calling for?

I would start the season with:
Kearney
Kear
Henry
Blythe
Foster
Gaskell
Gale
Scruton
Diskin
Carvell
Ferguson
Donaldson
Addy

Sammut
Winter stein
Sidlow
Manukafoa

Sammut or Addy could move into dummy half or half back roles.Winterstein covers back row or centre.The 2 props on the bench are both impact players.
This pack looks solid defensively .The props and Ferguson should make good metres,standing toe to toe with most opposition .
My main concern is the half back pairing .Gale needs to fulfil his potential--I've seen enough in his play to believe he can be a controlling figure but he's been inconsistent
I'm sure we will see a lot of rotation next year-- for example I'd expect O 'Brien to be picked in at least half the matches .
IF we are going to invest the money saved by recent departures, my order of priority for additions would be :
A young prop -
there's been a few who have caught the eye in the World Cup
A centre -
Australia,NZ and Polynesia seem to produce far more than GB so we could possibly use a quota spot
A young three quarter
That would give us a squad of 29/30
I think we have good cover at hooker and back row and although I've stated my concern re half back I believe it would be potentially unsettling to recruit there. Also I've heard good reports of the young scrum half we're developing

You scrum half as in Adam Brook?