Hood is also 33 and had looked awesome in the games he’s played so far. Powell very much rates him. Be interesting to see if he goes round another year also!

Liam Hood is everything people praise him for, I also am a fan of his, but, he does get injured more & last season on his own admission he said he was near the end of his playing time etc.
It's like having the best drink you can but when there's no more left it leaves you feeling for more but there's no more left etc.

Think it is a bit like Lino you rate Hood or do not .Way past is best .Think the HKR game showed we have 2 young 9 that can do a great job and think Russell is a good shout for 9 can tackle as good as Hood and as a kicking game ,though on Thursday it was a bit of

Hood isn’t by any stretch past his best. He just needs spelling. You only need to watch the Leeds game to see the positive contributions he made.

I don’t agree with comparing the 9s and using them against each other. We should be celebrating the fact we have 3 good 9 options and a player in Russell who also looks good at 9. Just because you like a player or prefer a player more in a position does not ultimately mean another option is past their best or good enough. I’d be more than happy for any combination of the 4 at 9 come match day.

If we have signed Smoothy I highly doubt Hood will be here next year.

My bet he will have informed the club it will be his last season with us or vice versa so both have time to sort out how they move forward.

Carrying 5 lads who can play hooker doesn’t make cap sense.

I’d put money in Hood not being with us next year. I think he’s class - he’s fitter than he’s ever been and he still whacks in defence (sorry alegend, but the idea Russell tackles anything like Hood doesn’t add up to me). But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep improving and building for the future. Doyle is still growing, as is Smith obviously, so Smoothy seems the ideal replacement to lead the line for us. Great signing this.

I suppose this as been mentioned before but the SL are considering changing the quota rule from next season. It is unfortunately appears to be designed for the likes of Wigan etc. if a player has played six consecutive seasons in SL they are to be exempt however, time spent in the Championship will not count and also the six years start again.
A player does not need to play for just one team but they must all have been in SL.

That’s hardly fair at all. Top teams can almost have double quota can’t they? Can’t see that.

That doesn't sound very logical. I don't doubt what you are saying but do you have a link?
I'd have thought the 6 years would have been residency not playing rugby but who knows what they'll choose.

I don’t see how it is aimed at “top teams” using Wigan as an example like SP is also odd as they are one of the only clubs not using all their quota spots.

I am sure we will also be able to take advantage despite having some players who only just start to qualify this year when we look to recruit from other clubs.

I though to be honest don’t like the rule as it blocks the pathways for English players.

I’d like to see the quote lowered to 3 over the next 10 years not effectively increased.

I was reading an article about Ligi Sao and his possible end of season injury. This referenced that he was coming to the end of his contract but with the new quota rules looking to come in 2026 he would be exempt.