He'd add something to both teams although he might not make the starting 13. His experience and quality whether starting or from the bench is invaluable. But he wouldn't be worth it to the two clubs for the salary he'd command without having to release someone from their contract. In our case, Westwood, Waterhouse or Harrison. You could probably throw Catalans & Saints in to that bracket too.

Good signing for Hull no doubt but as with all players nearing the end of their careers it's hoping they avoid the niggling injuries and managing their game time as they tend to take a little longer to recover than their younger counterparts. Remember people said the same about Morley to us and our skipper hasn't done too bad in the past few years although he has picked up a few injuries here and there.

Wigan wanted Ellis but they didn't want to get involved in a bidding war and pulled out of the race for his signature.

Ian Lenagan admitted this in the Wigan paper a couple of weeks back.

I thought Ellis stated from the outset that he wanted to sign for a yorkshire team?

this coming from a man who calls himself hessle roader

Are you serious?

Name me the three backrow forwards at both clubs better than Ellis?

Ellis will be a good 20min each half player IF you can get him on the field. Prince has been very poor for two years, Galea was hanging his boots up. I forget how poor a standard SL must be for people to be lauding these signings!

Not my opinion, RLW panel of experts rate more than 10 other 2nd rowers better than Ellis, to suggets he is in the top two (or thaiday for that matter based on this years form) is laughable. I am guessing you don;t get many NRL matches to watch in UK?

Anyone who has watched the Titans for the last two years will tell you just how good Prince's form has been. Still gives us something to laugh at when we win another derby and you can blame the fact you had 1/2 the first team out injured

What's unfair about what I said?

I think Westwood is better than Ellis currently but that's my opinion. You obviously disagree to some extent. That's fine. On our left edge, Waterhouse has been immense and attracts so much attention from defenders that Atkins and Riley have had a field day all year outside him. That's no coincidence either. So with his offload game, it complements our style down that side so I'd again pick him. Again you may disagree. And finally at 13 Ben Harrison has been brilliant, like a 3rd prop with more mobility, agility and more energy in his tank than your out and out prop forwards. I don't think Ellis would supply the same go forward and is much better on the fringes than right up the guts so for this reason I'd pick Harrison as it again suits our game plan better.

Apart from Westwood, I'm not necessarily saying the other two are better than Ellis but in their respective roles and how they are used in a Wire set up, I'd stick with the boys we've got. As I said, he'd be a great addition to any side in SL with his quality and experience. But not necessarily improve Wire or Wigan for example as they'd have to lose a good sized salary to get him in there in the first place.

You are making it sound like you've signed Jonathon Thurston of the back row world. Excellent player? Yes. Best back rower in the world? Not even the best in SL IMO.

Where did I say he was the best player in the world or SL?

You stated that Ellis wouldn't get into warringtons starting line up, if you think that fine, but I'm sure that 99% of coaches would much rather have Ellis than Ben Harrison, personally I'd have Ellis over Waterhouse having watched hem both he last few years.

Nothing wrong with our opinion, but if you put this on a forum, expect to get challenged.

Fair enough.

I'm not TS so I wouldn't know what he'd do having worked with both of them. I wouldn't expect to see Ellis play 13 even though he'd be more than capable in that position in SL and I personally wouldn't like to move our two SR's from their individual positions. So it would be a case of losing one or two sizeable salaries to get him in the squad in the first place or fill the remainder of the squad with kids on low salaries so he can supplement what you already have.

Depends on the team structures, we'd have to adapt to fit in Ellis in the starting 13. For Hull, you've lost Manu to Saints so it's a straight replacement and arguably an improvement although I'm not so sure if you'll play to the same structures this year? Probably a question you could answer better than myself.

Manu is a huge loss, easily the best attacking backrow forward in the league, however I feel that we relied on him too much in the past, despite his loss we have 5 very good backrow forwards in Ellis, Westerman, tickle, galea and whiting.

If we sign prince and McDonnell I would very disappointed if we don't finish in the top 4.

Nice to have a good debate, some good out of the rovers trolling attempts.

How do you define 'the best attacking backrow forward in the league' though? I think I'd prefer Westwood's attacking game, granted it consists of running as hard as you can in a straight line, but that works. The half backs can then select the correct pass. The skillful offloads and bumping people off are great and really exciting to watch though. I suppose they are different breeds.

If Gareth Hock had ANYTHING but wind in his head he would be the best second row in the league. Big, strong, quick, good offload and decent feet for his size. Just doesn't know how to use his noggin. Shame.


On a side point, how do Hull fans envisage Richard Horne being used next year, if at all? If Prince and McDonnell sign he will be surplus surely?

Horne will be challenging for the fb spot and covering centre and five eighth.

If you think McDonnell is the answer to your Full Back dreams you are going to be seriously underwhelmed.