Got to say the last few weeks have changed my mind in terms of recruitment. I think we need a second rower. Faz is getting no younger, Nsemba is still really young and probably needs dipping in and out and Walters isn't cracking any pots. It looks like Hampshire will follow Isa and Cooper out the door and I know much of that cap space will be used on upgrades but hopefully there is room to make a move. If it came down to it, I'd be comfortable if they could cut a deal to move on one more middle forward to then bring in a second rower. I think that would bring a far better balance to the squad. Currently we look like going in to 2025 with 9 middle forwards (Ellis, Havard, Thompson, Byrne, Dupree, Mago, Hill, Eseh, Chan) and only 3 second rowers (Faz, Nsemba and Walters) and one of those second rowers may be better suited to play in the middle anyway).

If there is a proper grafter of a second rower available from the NRL, who wouldn't cost the earth, I think that would round the squad off nicely.

I am not sure Isa leaviing will be a given, a one year extension might be a possibility as he would be a no cost option for next season, just a feeling I have.

A second rower who is also capable of shifting to the centres on occasion would be ideal.

The NRL is full of young, powerful, goal-scoring second-rowers.

chans not on the qutoa as he played in france before 19

Eseh and Chan are back from loans. Think they’ll get game time during the 3 games in 9 day spell.

Hopefully bring fresh energy

I think Chan is still on loan at Hull, if that is the case his time at Wigan may be up.

Hastings to Leeds? https://www.totalrl.com/ex-salford-red- ... ue-return/

Hastings to Leeds? https://www.totalrl.com/ex-salford-red- ... ue-return/

Matt Shaw saying Leeds aren't in for Hastings but we'll see. It could be a disaster of a move if it comes off. Leeds is far too big a club to let Hastings make the whole show about him and as we know, if you don't do that you've got problems.

The game caller Mike Gledhill first tweeted it and seems to have picked up steam from that, but he’s usually wrong on just about everything.

Matt Shaw on the other hand is always spot on.

Hastings is being found out at every club he’s gone to bar Salford who let him rule the roost.

Hastings would certainly be a test for whoever Leeds's new full-time coach ends up being, a guy who doesn't take instructions or stick to game plans.

Hearing that Byrne is off to Huddersfield and if Cooper retires then maybe we are not as strong in depth in the front row as many people think.
Totally agree that we need at least one more second row forward to balance the squad.
Forber also rumoured to be on the way to Salford so I think a few changes will evolve for the 2025 season.

iI know he's not everyones favourite player but I don't think I'd be letting Byrne go if we can help it. He shows what he can do at times (but he's not consistent enough) and he's still pretty young for a prop and can gain more consistency as he comes in to his peak IMO. In saying that, we need a second rower and if a sacrifice like that helped us get a starting second rower in, who can mirror the sort of work Willie Isa does for us, I could live with that. I also think we'd still be ok for depth in the prop department, with the lads who played last night being backed up by Hill, Chan, Eseh, Makin etc. You also have Walters who can go in there and in all honesty, I can see a time where Nsemba ends up in there as well in spells.

Not sure if Byrne is going of his own accord or if he hasn’t been offered an extension that matches the Salford deal.
Like yourself ideally I would like to retain Byrne.
Re the backs I assume that Hampshire will be released and that we will replace him. Will be very interesting to see who recruit to replace Hampshire.