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.

[quote="Scarlet Pimpernell":xszamo7l]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.[/quote:xszamo7l] That’s hardly fair at all. Top teams can almost have double quota can’t they? Can’t see that.

[quote="Scarlet Pimpernell":ll3d11ps]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.[/quote:ll3d11ps] 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.