Phew... Purtell gets 3

I assume that means either Mathers has 7, or he's 34 and it's been left open.

I can see that happening but would seem pointless to me... He is seen as full back and said so in his interview. Would of made more sense to give Oscar the 7 and Mathers 1 but time will tell.

It's just a ridiculous, bizarre and even slightly embarrassing situation for us to be in. An entire off season for us to sort a problem we knew we had, and this is how we go into potentially one of the most important seasons in recent memory.

Agree frustrating BUT, let's be honest we should be good enough to get the top 2 without a half. The last 7 games are all that count. If we start the middle 8's with Addy at 7 then I really will be peeved and it will cost us.

Annoyed we didn't continue with Jacks as I thought he had something to offer, certainly more than Addy. But we now have 7 months to get the right player. Hopefully someone will become available.

Risky strategy to go into the season without a recognised half. If we turn up expecting an easy win we will come off worse in more than a few games this season.

I would be really disappointed if we announced Mathers as our star 7 to guide us back to super league as that just has embarrassing failure written all over it but I am praying I am wrong on that.

This way of announcing the shirt numbers is interesting in that I can't help but think we must be doing it for a reason... Like to build up a surprise signing.. Perhaps taking the number 7 jersey and being revealed on the pitch before kick off vs fev???

Mathers isn't going to be 7. Jimmys pretty much said he's the FB and he's hoping Thomas will learn from him. I think the 7 shirt will be left open.

Addys played at 7 in both our friendlies and didnt get it.

7 shirt left open after half a season and a full off season of knowing we need a new half that help make a difference in the 8's. Crazy. I know people have theory's and hope for a signing closer to the playoffs...but I still think it's a failure to be in this position on the eve of the season. I hope to be proved wrong.

The only reason I can suggest for Mathers being 7 is that the squad numbers were issued before he joined, with the 7 being kept clear. Mathers signed, and they give him that rather than a ridiculously high number.

We'll see tomorrow. For what i's worth, my money is on the shirt being left unassigned for now. That way it's at least an acknowledgement that we don't have a specialist scrum half, and encouraging that they'll be keeping a close eye out for one becoming available.

We have till the 8th of August to find a 7, we aren't not going to finish outside the top 2 not having one now.

Ethan Ryan Number 29

Well, we've still got 6 to go today.

Given the numbers announced we still have 6,7,8,10,24,32 to go and by my reckoning we've only got 6 players left with best guess for their numbers

Richie Mathers
Jonny Campbell 32
Lee Gaskell 6
Adam Sidlow 10
Paul Clough 8
Lucas Walshaw 24

So, it would seem that Mathers is either 7 or 34

Been pleasantly surprised by Ryan in the friendlies. You look at him and there is nothing of him. But defensively especially I think he's gone really well.

Campbell is indeed 32.

Walshaw confirmed as 24.

As Roofaldo rightly said, I think there's only really Mathers' squad number in doubt from what's left.