he's been a stop gap for nearly 5 years now.

And I believe was the supposed successor and long term plan to replace Bert.

If the money is equal we would not be able to compete with Saints assuming he will be offered a house in Cheshire, obviously.

Barba been at saint's stadium today st Helens star saying it's as good as done

The st helens star? Balls. When the pullitzer prize winning journos there go to press you know it's a done deal.

Those who claim to be in the know at Saints claim that's not true and that Ben's back in France now. More chat on him from Mike Rush today, talking about the specifics of the ban and whether Saints could appeal it if the RFL somehow insisted on applying it.

Well there is another ingredient in the pot now....with the out going of LF their maybe a carrot for Barba at Catalans.

Nope you aren't getting out of it that easy........
signed ....done deal...you said

I can Just hear Barba in his press conference now ..." Ive always wanted to play under great coaches Like Michael Monaghan And Jerome Guisset"...!!

Cynically I would bet that the RFL would chose after the signing whether they would honour he ban for the NRL.

Personally if the NRL issue a ban then it stays in that competition. Any ban issued should only apply over here if the misdemeanour was relating to an International game or competition.

The insiders on the Saints side reckon he's chosen to sign for you guys. Sounds to me like he's just been bouncing between two or three clubs to extract that extra bit of dollar.

Which insiders? Do you mean people you know as I can't see anyone on the Saints forum posting this.

Who is the 3rd club? Salford.

Can't blame him for that. It's not like he has any affinity to any club.

Quote: Lord Tony Smith "Which insiders? Do you mean people you know as I can't see anyone on the Saints forum posting this.'" www.redvee.net/forums/showthread ... rba/page14 They still think if we get "Bar Bar Blacksheep" they get Ratchford.

Quote: Lord Tony Smith "Which insiders? Do you mean people you know as I can't see anyone on the Saints forum posting this.'" www.redvee.net/forums/showthread ... rba/page14 They still think if we get "Bar Bar Blacksheep" they get Ratchford.

People on redvee and PMs on here and Twitter. The usual suspects who seem to know signings before they are announced. Probably all getting their info from the same places and entirely unverifiable.

Current English International, still under contract.

I would estimate a transfer fee of £200k, would be required.

That`s if SJM was prepared to sell, which is very doubtful.

Or a player exchange with Walmsley & Percival coming to Wire?......Thats the prop & centre signings that have been debated on here.