Need an organising scrum half.

Wakeham will be in the halves i think, and i'd have Bullock ahead of Harrison and Philbin. Ratchford will become a squad filler like Jason Clark was this year. If we don't keep wardle we'll need a New centre and Thewlis will have to take the right wing spot. But i do think Wrench's injury may have given Minikin a lifeline 1 year deal as we'll need cover. Hoping we are keeping Wardle and Minikin isn't pegged to take a centre spot.
Wakeham coming kills my Tanginoa dream so i hope he's as good as his highlights look

I'd be tempted with Bullock in that 8 spot instead of Dudson from what I've seen of them both this season. It would be interesting to know their stats.

How sure are we about getting Wakeham?

I’m not sure, but didn’t Wakeham do something naughty in the NRL earlier this year? Might be imagining it, but I thought he’d had a ticking off and that might be why he’s penned in for a move away.

EDIT: Just found it. It was an eye-gouge incident. Not great but no dodgy off-field misdemeanours in the mould of Barba.

What does the side look like next year then?

Presuming that Powell will stick with his favourites Oliver Holmes & Peter Mata'utia. I hope the 4 forwards have a much needed positive impact & go forward to the side, Bullock has had a strong end of the season & I’ve been impressed with the likes of Luke Thomas & Matty Nicholson in the odd appearance they have made recently.

I’d like us to keep hold of Longstaff but it’s looking like he might be forced to find opportunities elsewhere.. & are we after a new half back or is it all purely speculation? We could ideally do with keeping hold of Wardle at left centre, as we are lacking cover in the three-quarter positions now.

1. Dufty
2. Thewlis/Wrench
3. Mata’utia
4. New Centre
5. Ashton
6. Ratchford
7. Williams
8. Dudson
9. Clarke
10. Vaughan
11. Currie
12. Holmes
13. McGuire


Bench: Kasiano, Nicholson, Mikaele, D.Walker

Harrison, Bullock, Philbin, Minikin, Thewlis/Wrench, Longstaff?
Luke Thomas, Riley Dean, Leon Hayes, Jack Derbyshire, Tom Whitehead

Maybe Powell will play Ratchford at left centre, until Wrench has recovered from his injury?

Ben Currie to the centres?? …. I’ve always wanted to see how he faired playing there. Only problem now is since his serious injuries his lateral movement doesn’t seem as good as it was so that could be an issue…. Also for half back we desperately need a controlling half back for Williams to pair with. Luke Gale on a 1 yr contract given that Hull have released him and he is 35 years old??

Read that last sentence back to yourself

I thought of possibly moving Currie to centre too. It may give him a new lease of life and enable him to get his mojo back.

Harrison will be moved to 2nd row next season and then we have the young guns Nicholson and also now Holroyd pushing for a 1st team gig.

Currie will not get another contract at Wire, unless there is a major improvement in his form next season.

Holmes should be offered out on a season long loan deal.

Gale?!!!!!! NO just NO. Signing him really would break the camels back

I think Ratch has taken a bit of stick on here recently but I think he is valuable cover and experience in a number of positions. I try not to single players out but after a defeat early in the season away at Catalan I was critical of his reactions when decisions didnt go our way.

If we are going to give Dean or Hayes a decent shot at proving themselves alongside William's then I am quite content that Ratch is around. We all know he is not the future but I would be happier sticking with old Woody (to allow the younger players to develop) than pop over to the NRL for a shiny new Buzz Lightyear halfback with wings and lasers.

We have done that enough times over the years and it has never worked for a variety of reasons.

We'll know a lot more when Powell announces his captain for next season. If he gives it to ratchford then he clearly sees him as a fixture in the first 13 and I genuinely will give up!