I guess it is an honour really, though didn't Danny Addy have Karl Fairbank's old number last season? Strangely he's dropped to 23 this time round, which must mean that ability hasn't much to do with many of the ups and downs in squad numbers, or he'd have gone the other way.

Think sammuts low number reflects the one year deal he is on, if he shines this coming season a new deal will be offered, along with maybe a starting number on his back! Same could be said for ainscough!

Has 21 been un-retired then?

maybe the number 21 shirt should go to the young player of the year?

A bit of a status shirt that shows that even though the player might not be an automatic pick, they're wearing the mighty number 21 on their back and are highly thought of by the club.

That's a nice idea.

Yes, Danny Addy wore it last season.

Yes I realise that now. What a div I am.

i shouldn't worry, Il Divo have apparently made quite a bit of money so it can't be all bad. Can you sing?

certainly going to be interesting to see how sammut and manuokafose go this year. Their both on one yr deals and sammut will no longer be off the quota in 2013. So effectively their in direct competition with each other for an extension. Of course they could both be flops and we bring someone totally different in for 2013 but if they are both hits club will have to decide which bring most to team as we can only extend one.

Forgot about manuokafose's one year deal, hopefully Sammut fulfils his undoubted potential and shines and Burgess cleans up his rough edge's, so loseing manuokafose shouldn't be an issue, as you say its certainly going to interesting!

bear in mind that its pretty likely burgess will follow his brothers to OZ at end of 2012, and crossleys departure. If manuokafose proves to be a hit then it may make more sense to lose a half (assuming some combination of gales,briggs,BJ is capable of performing to a decent level) than a prop. Whats happened to liam mcavoy in squad numbers?. Is it like last year where theres a few youngsters also in 1st team squad but not assigned numbers until potter feels theyve earned them?. seem to think mcavoy was only one of the un-numbered youngsters last year who didnt get any gametime and hence a number.

Yes Mat, isnt Jobe Murphy on a full contract? Hes not been given a number either

So again where nurturing a future international just so he can sod off and fore full his potential somewhere else? fantastic!

Think its a good incentive by Potter to do it that way, Doesn't get them too big for there boots too early!

certainly dont think it what we want. but in this case think family pressure combined with an agent with ulterior motives will see tom go. Hope we can pull out all the stops and persuade him to stay though.

agree with you about potters strategy of witholding squad numbers. doesnt seem to have hurt any of the first batch he tried it on.

His name is Manase Manuokafoa by the way. Plenty of time for you to get it right before the season starts