He was with rush before the saints game. Went in the dressing room after the game.

Ratchford has been out best player this season. When he came back into the side we started to turn it around. If we sell him, the coaches and whoever is in charge of recruitment should go as well

This isn't a rumour but a passing comment on a Saints board.
Get a grip all...it doesn't even make sense.
Doh.

If this Ben Barba chap is looking for the best deal before he signs, how mercenary would he be if somewhere down the line an Aussie club came back in offering big bucks ? Would he just walk away like Sandow & leave his club in the lurch ? As far as some overseas players are concerned it has become evident that contracts may as well be written on toilet paper.
As for his signature ,i think Saints would want want him most because, from what i heard last night, Lomax could be having too many knee problems to carry on playing.

A passing comment?

Justin holbrook admitted saints have been in talks with him for over a week and that his hopefull we can get the deal done. Daily Mirror journalist snapped Barba with Rush.

I dont think we will sign him because I don't think we have the money but to suggest the deal to wire is done makes no sense at all. Barba himself has admitted his talking to a few clubs and a decision next week.

That has nowt to do with Ratchford going to Saints!
??

This rumour has been put to bed by Ratch himself on twitter this morning so lets leave it at that!

There's some on that redvee forum.....

I do like a fickle fan....but they are working out that when Barba completes his 12 match ban he should be available for the semi and the grand final. ....

I've had a sleep on this Barba thing. ...and I'm not denying his quality but this nrl maverick with a series of off field issues drinking and gambling included....and a taste for disco sherbert. ......It just all seems a bit familiar. .....

And people are entertaining shipping out a quality pro, a decent human being, and a genuine star of superleague to make way for Barba.......

I know Barba has won a Dally M player of the year and as the great Neil Midgley used to say in his after dinner speaches "you don't get them in lucky bags".

But I have some reservations about this potential signing . .....I guess I was fooled with the initial comment that we would be blown away with the next signing. ..... I guess I was hoping for Greg Inglis....

If he signed now, how many games would he play before the end of the season, even if he signed for next season as well you surely wouldn't be confident of him staying once the NRL teams start to show an interest.

Saying that, if he helps you win a trophy, who cares.

Reports overnight in Aussie that barbas ban may only be applicable in the NRL

Bit more info on Barba m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/39992176

Bit more info on Barba m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/39992176

Its the same story just being re-worded by different journos. The interview with justin after game yesterday started it all off and he actually said " i would love him at this club" and he also said repeatedly " it would be great to have him in SL". He didn't say yes we're gonna sign him! Media twisting words as usual, I'm sure it will be announced shortly.

He also does a interview with wish fm and states his spoken to Barba a number of times and that he wants him at saints. Says his hopeful a deal can be concluded. So if his saying that and barba was in saints dressing room then he obviously hasent signed for Wire when this thread was set up. He may well sign for Wire but it's not done yet