[quote="Stu M":vephbjw6]This isn't sour grapes as I've said the exact same thing on Red Vee but the points you make on Vaughan are valid. I don't know what his USP is. He's not big, he's not super strong and he's not quick. He's a competitor no question but I don't know where he fits in. You are spot on in that he could well turn out to be a Bateman. In 2-3 years time it will be clear who made the right decision. It's not a great look when die hard Saints fans are making the decision to go to Wigan although to be fair perhaps you could return serve with Welsby who was a Wigan fan and ended up at Saints. Also it's worrying when Wigan are signing lads from the likes of Thatto Heath who again are St Helens lads born and bred and fans of the club but that's another conversation. I've been very critical of the club of late and nothing is changing my mind however to play devils advocate, I do wonder if they are putting a lot of faith in Jake Davies and Billy Keeley, both back-rowers a couple of years younger and well thought of. Perhaps they've looked at the emergence of those two who knows. That's an assumption on my part that I am clinging onto![/quote:vephbjw6] Davies and Keeley are no Nsembe, they are years off regular first team action. Welsby wasn't a Wigan Warriors fan, he only ever wanted to sign for Saints.

[quote="WWste":1eyk2h87]I don’t think Salford is a walk in the park as made out. They are a decent side and I imagine will be itching to settle things down on the pitch. I can see Saints getting beat in that game as they did in the pre season game with them[/quote:1eyk2h87] I don’t for one second think that Salford are a poor side. I just think that Saints will be highly motivated to deliver a big win and to get their season off to a really strong start.

[quote="Zig":2zusxcd0]We may be looking for a fullback![/quote:2zusxcd0] I’d be disappointed if Field was to exit but I’m pretty sure that if he is going that we will be already working on his replacement.

[quote="Itchy Arsenal":1uzrp6fc]I’d be disappointed if Field was to exit but I’m pretty sure that if he is going that we will be already working on his replacement.[/quote:1uzrp6fc] We have French, Farrimond can go in the halfs

[quote="The Whiffy Kipper":yot0xz8f]We have French, Farrimond can go in the halfs[/quote:yot0xz8f] Think we would need a 1 or 2 year replacement whilst we introduce Farrimond. Ideal situation Field stays for the 2025/6 seasons then Farrimond steps up.

Given Field got engaged whilst he was back in Oz, I'd expect at some stage in the next year or two he'll be considering a return home. We need to make the most of the time we have him! Him, French, Ellis and Miski seem really close and as much as it's a professional sport, the lure of keeping them all goes down once one of them goes.