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Josh Ganson will need/should expect more first team game time next season too I’d imagine.

That's true, he looks a decent prospect.

The balance of the squad needs addressing in the off season IMO. I don't think there's need for huge change but to clear out some fringe players and a couple of under performers to allow us to replace them with a new prop (or two) and a organising scrum half would be ideal imo.

Who would you suggest other than the ones we know are going?

Does anyone look ready to step up from the U19s? I see that Saints have picked up a useful U19 from Bradford who they are raving about. A couple of very young lads got a good write up from the reserves game and may be worth some game time next year but some of the older U19s who have been out on loan/dr could still be in contention.

If it was as easy as just waving a wand and releasing players I'd let go Nuuausala and Tierney as well as moving Leuluai on to the coaching staff but if that's possible I'm not sure. The chances are Navarette will be off as well and there's probably potential to allow one or two out on loan (its going to be tough keeping four good wingers happy for starters).

I'd be looking at putting Tomkins to 7 and having him and Williams get to work on their long kicking game, all pre season to work on it and both have got the potential to do so, Escare at full back is a must and we need to fit Sam in so at scrum half would work imo, it's the right centre position we need to be looking at imo, Gelling deserves another chance next season but we need another back up, someone like Welham would be good. Props wise we need to be offloading Nuuausala, not been good enough end certainly not good enough to justify his wage. Not sure who's avail either but there would be some good cheap props I imagine. Imo next season should be

1.Escare
2.Manfredi
3.Gellling
4.Gildart
5.Burgess
6.Williams
7.Tomkins
8.Sutton
9.Macca
10.Flower
11.Bateman
12.Farrell
13.O'Loughlin

14.Tautai
15.Clubb
16.New Prop
17.Ganson/Powell
15

I worry for Shorrocks who has missed two of the last three seasons with injury. A few youngsters like Field or Partington may benefit from a full season in loan. We have a big squad at the moment and it is difficult to keep track of them all.

I think lads like Forsyth and Bretherton would benefit from long term loan deals elsewhere to try and develop their games. I wouldn't be surprised to see Marshall go out somewhere as well because you'd assume he'll be fourth choice next year and he's too good to be waiting for weeks at a time to play reserves.

Personally, i would go try to push the following...

Outs...Tierney, Gelling, FPN, Navarette, Leuluai (Retire/Coach), SOL (Retire/Coach), Forsyth (Season long loan), Marshall (Possible Loan), Ganson (Possible Loan).

Ins...Sutcliffe Leeds, 2x props (Busquets Catalans?/Mogg NZ Warriors), A star quality Right Centre?, cover for FB?

Drastic? Absolutely. Am I ready for all the Gelling fans to kick off...sure



1. Escare/ +new FB cover.
2. Manfredi/Davies.
3. new Right centre *STAR SIGNING*
4. Gildart.
5. Burgess/Marshall (if not loaned).
6. Williams.
7. Tomkins.
8. New Prop? *STAR SIGNING*
9. Micky Mc/Powell
10. Flower
11. Bateman
12. Farrell
13. SOL (if not retiring)/Sutcliffe?

14. Tautai
15. Clubb/New Prop?
16. Sutton/Joel T.
17. Powell/Ganson (if not loaned).

+ Shorrocks, Wells and the other younger players on fringe.

Not a lot to ask for two high quality, star signings in the off season.

But that's assuming Burgess and Manfredi will be our settled wing pair? There are doubts about them both for form and injury reasons.

Nearly put that in my post...I wouldn't bank on Manfredi finding pre-injury form instantly and any worries or hesitations he has regards his knee...Burgess looks a little off-colour both performance and form wise.

Could easily be Davies & Marshall as #2 & #5 next year

I don't think Shorrocks's injuries are anything to worry about long term - just bad luck like many we've had the last two years, it's not as if there's a long-term underlying problem (like Mossop's shoulder, for example). He's definitely our future #7. We've a lot of great prospects coming through, in all positions, the problem will be keeping them all and giving them playing time. A real reserves structure is vital, but I'm not confident in the other clubs coming round to the idea, unless the RFL really force (or persuade) them to, somehow.

One lad I would be really excited to see step up is Kibula - he seems to have everything, even at such a relatively young age (just turned 18 last week), a big, fast, ball-playing prop is just what we need.