So, we've signed Kearney to play 6, L'Estrange for 9, Hall for the pack. We're going to use Donalson, Whitehead, and Olibison a lot more this year with I suspect Donaldson and Whitehead being in the 17 most weeks.

We still need at least one winger, ideally one specialised winger to replace semi and another utility back to replace Platt if he goes and who could also play wing. Walker and Reardon are the two rumours, who I think could both do a good job for us injuries and form permitting, anyone got any other ideas on that? Any of the academy ready to step up at some point this year in the backs?

We also by my reckoning need at least another prop. Who will have to be fed trained, available and of decent quality, anyone got any names for this one? Does anyone know which props are OOC or released? I can think of a couple but they dont meet my own requirements above, and another for the academy watchers, is Crossley ready to step up this year at prop?

think it was mentioned in one of newspaper reports that we've already identified a british prop.
I preict sykes taking the utility back role with walker playing alongside ricki and reardon alongside nero. Still think we need at least 1 more back as were light if injuries strike with only sykes and crookes and maybe olbison as backup.

Agreed. As far as I know we don't have any backs in the academy or reserves who are ready yet.

As for Crossley he seemed to go a bit backwards last season. A lot depends on how hard he trains in pre season. He needs to lose some excess lard I reckon and then maybe he'll be an option. We are seriously lacking a decent impact prop. Burgess fulfilled that role well and was a big factor in our run in to the end of the season. I just don't see Koppy making the same impact off the bench.

Another prob is we've lost four good ball handling forwards in Newton, Morrison, Burgess and Solomona. I'm not sure those coming in have the same skill set so we could be lacking some guile.

We definitely do have ample space under the cap given the departures and the money left over last year for the Bird signing. The question is are there players available to sign and do we have the cashflow to afford them?

What about Kieron Hyde? Is he ready to dip his toes in the first team? Maybe he could be used as an occasional winger like Saints do when their blooding new players eg: Lomax, Wheeler, Eastmond. Is his best position stand off or fullback?

I agree we need an impact prop and Burgess made a real differnece in that role late in the season. I cant think of anyone available in that role except the likes of Thackray which I would not want. Kopczak is a good prop with potential still but I agree hes not a gamechanger from the bench.

Ball handling forwards will be a problem for us next year, Donaldson looked like he fit that bill but he's still very young and its too much to ask him to play the season at 13, but defo one for the furture in this respect I feel. I dont know enough about L'Estrange and Hall's ball handling skills but I suspect its not the main part of thier game. Menzies is our one stand out in this respect. One available prop who likes to offload (not sure its overly skilled though) is Sculthorpe, but I wouldnt be keen on that option either.

The bit in bold could be the key bit I feel, at this stage and with no quota spots left (assuming Walker taking the last one) our choice of impact/ball playing props/forwards who are available and fed trained is very very limited I suspect.

Hall's a very good ball handling back rower, but he doesnt use that part of his game much.

I know. I suppose we'll have to see who fills the wing spot and who else we get in (hopefully a centre)

I'd be surprised if we sign a winger once Walker is announced given that presumably that will leave us without any further quota spots. Can't think of many decent SL wingers who might be available. From what I have read (feel free to correct me) Walker is primarily a winger who can play some centre. I have read a few comments that he can be a match winner with the ball in hand but liable to some brain farts in defence. With that in mind would he fare better outside a strong defender in Nero? Certainly doesn't sound like our answer to our leaky right hand side.

I expect that next year we will see Crookes given more time in the first team. So our backline could be something like..

1. Halley
2. Sheriffe/Crookes
3. Crookes/Sykes
4. Nero
5. Walker

6. Kearney/Sykes
7. Deacon

If Platt is departing then I expect we will see another back brought in from another SL club. Perhaps a utility who can cover a few positions... Reardon perhaps?

Not a backline to scare the top teams but I'd say an improvement on this year. I guess a lot could depend on whether Crookes can make an impression in the first team.

I'd say our next priority after Walker should be a Prop, it would appear a Federation trained one... perhaps time to use some of the Burgess cash?

exactly the same comment was made about this years backline yet they managed to turn both sts and leeds over. the backline so far is looking slightly better imo with players still to be announced. as ive said before though we cant really judge until we see the full recruitment picture. The signings so far though are a step up in quality over what we've had last couple of years.

So did Salford. They also had a crap back line.

While we turned Sts and Lds over the backline defence was awful at other times more often than not. Especially down Sykes and Sheriffe's side.

Kearney is a straight Jeffries replacement IMO. As for Walker, if his signing is confirmed he's a straight replacement for Tadulala. Both have question marks over them over fitness and attitude whether you like it or not. So it remains to be seen if we have any improvement in quality. I hope you're right about them.

Our backline is way down in quality compared to those we've had in the past prior to 2007/8. Until that's addressed we'll struggle to challenge the top clubs on a consistent basis.

you'll be lucky to find another winger with as good a try return as Tadulala who also does so much work coming out of defence