I can’t add anything that hasn’t already been said about Jay Pitts the player but I will say something about him as a man.He epitomises the type of person we actively seek to recruit, he sets the tone and the standard around the club for everyone to see, learn from and emulate. His experience, integrity, selflessness, leadership and ability on the field are a rare mix, we are much much the better for his presence in and around the team. 


For as long as he can play to the standards required we should appreciate him and be thankful that we have both Jay Pitts and Mike McMeeken in our team at the same time. 

What is evident is that to compete at the top, and that is our stated aim, you need two players for every position, and obviously the more quality in the ` `back up ` players the better. In Pitts and Cozza we have two quality 13`s who can also cover other positions if required. It may well be that over the two year contract Cozza becomes our number one 13 with Pitts as cover.

Does Cozza have a contract for next year?

If he doesn't, then going on his last few games, we need to get him one asap !!


(Welcome to the forum JRobbo )

Cozza’s off contract this year. Confident we’ll give him another two. 

Couldn’t agree more with bellycouldtackle - successful teams either have incredible luck with injuries, or great depth that means there’s not a huge drop when the next man gets called up. We could see that coming together before this season - if Jowitt, Walmsley, Pratt, Griffin, Hamlin-Uele and Pitts get injured, you call up Rourke, Russell, Scott, Croft, Faatili and Cozza. Granted, we’ve had to dig really deep this season, and Faatili has taken me by surprise, but it’s not an accident that we can still beat teams with most of our second XIII on the field. Well played Ste Mills. 

Cheers Fil! Hopefully Cozza and activating Rourke's +1 are in the pipeline they have to announce

And Hood too, hopefully 

He's already said that's unlikely I think.

Yeah you get the feeling Hood will move on. Quality player, another playing the best he ever has, but Tyson Smoothy’s a brilliant replacement. 

I would add Jack Croft to that list. He’s found his position in second row and has his best years ahead of him. It’s clear he’s put in a shed ton of work to improve his physique and game. Handy squad player. 


Cozza would be high on my list to retain. He seems similar to Pitts but younger. He seems the natural replacement for Pitts and I’d be happy to see him study under Pitts another year in 2026 and then in 2027 start like Pitts does in preperation for when he hits his prime years. 


Roarke I would keep too but when we have Trueman fit and Jowitt back to full back it’s a dilemma as he’s too good not to play but you can’t leave out Max who’s just too pivotal to the team. Offers good back line cover too. 


I feel if we make one or two big quality signings and retain most of these we are talking about we should keep pushing up towards the top year on year.