You'd think it would be a mandatory requirement what with him coaching Keiron Cunningham.

I think you will find that Keiron retires after this season.

Last time I remember hearing about Royce Simmons was nine years ago when he was getting a heck of a lot of stick at the end of his time at Penrith. One of the main points which grated with the fans was that Simmons had let Brad Drew go to their rivals Parramatta, and Drew was in the form of his life with Parra at the top of the league, while Penrith were picking up the wooden spoon, so their fans turned on him. They had quite a strong team with Craig Gower, Ryan Girdler, Mat Adamson, Scott Sattler, Frank and Tony Puletua and a young Rhys Wesser, so it was hard for the fans to stomach the wooden spoon. Their top scorer at the time was a 24 year old Chris Hicks who was probably the fastest player in the NRL at the time.

At the end of that season we signed Sid Domic and Mat Rodwell from them, Simmons got sacked, John Lang came in and in two years time had them winning the Grand Final.

The general view I remember at the time from the Aussie press and reading NRL forums was that Simmons was viewed at Penrith a bit like Cullen was for us - couldn't doubt his commitment as a clubman but by the end of his time most of his fans had lost patience.

I'm surprised he's gone to Saints and this would have been unheard of a couple of years ago. I remember his name being banded around in some of the league papers as a possible replacement for DVDV at Warrington which caused great mirth from other clubs fans, the idea of w*nky Warrington about to pick up the wooden spoon coach from the NRL went down well.

i think your getting him mixed up with roy cropper...

Was there talk of Saints approaching Ricky Stuart?

He won't be playing next year

In fairness to Simmons, he has had a fair few years under Sheens, whom's credentials are without doubt.

I will take them odds mate.

I think he will do well at Saints as said abit like MM at Wigan. He's been learning of one of the best three coaches in the World in Sheens so why wouldn't he do well?

If that's the business he's done with us I don't know if I love him, or want to pay someone money to push dog through his letterbox.