I'm happy with Hayes training with them, could be earmarked to take over from Drinkwater. Isn't he off contract this year?

I hadn’t even considered that. I guess they have plenty of decent half-backs coming through in Aus anyway. Hopefully none of our young forwards are catching their eye.

Hayes has already been earmarked, considerably. Have a read of Burgess’ comments on pre-season and his favourite players. Quite encouraging, and you feel Burgess is being genuine rather than the usual ‘we’ll give them a chance at some point’ rhetoric.

The other significant negative would have been if things don`t work out with Sam Burgess and he leaves, we would have had a Marquee player on a long contract taking the mick.

I thought the whole squad was having a training game against them. I thought I had read that?

Alongside training at the home of the Premier League champions, the Panthers will face Sam Burgess' Warrington Wolves side in an opposed training session as part of their preparation.

Good. We really need this.

Interesting further reading on the Tom Burgess saga. He's to be the highest paid player in the league on a 3-year contract 5.0302734375:5