Id heard Bateman was off to Souths - shocking signing if we end up with him.

What a way to ruin my weekend right before it starts

Without getting hyper cliched, this season's 'trial' could simply be a combination of 'try before you buy' and a 'marriage of convenience' given Fitzgibbon's injury and Nicholson's transfer (and one that applies to both parties).

A lot depends on whether Fitzgibbon's race is (permanently), run, but if we can get an injury free season from Fitzgibbon on current form I'd be taking a punt on Holroyd over Bateman.

Not a fan of signing Bateman for next year on big bucks. Rather have Holroyd to be honest like most would.

Unless of course he rips up trees till the end of season.

Was that another of his “cast iron going to happen 100%” just like all the others that never happened?

Nah I think he just had a love in for him.

I see that our man in the know (Abe) ) has reported that Oli Leyland has now signed up for next year on a 2 year contract. We await the confirmation from the club.

Where has he said that?

Here.

He then later corrected what he said. Still waiting on a contract to be signed it was a verbal agreement, it was a few comments later

He's posted confirmation on Twitter (not calling it what that berks wants)

Good news! looks a decent player.

Twitter / X

I said he's signed. I haven't mentioned the length of his contract as I'm not sure yet. No idea when the club will announce it.

Looks like Bateman's going to Souths for 2025. We can't afford him. Dufty's wage goes up considerably from next season, which was part of his contract extension terms.

We're also looking at a League 1 2nd row with potential that Burgess likes the look of, but that's still in it's very early stages.

So looks like the proposed residency rule is actually going to happen next year. So yates could get a British passport and not count on the overseas quota.
This would give us 2 overseas quota spots, doesn't mean we'll automatically use them, but would give us more potential options.