Storton will be busy

Looking a pretty strong and competitive squad.

I'm sure when DP first arrived and did some interviews he said he likes to go with big squads in therms of numbers, and he hinted something like 35 or so from his previous squads.


With that in mind, could there be a couple more yet, though I'm sure the cap will now be starting to fill

Who's Delaney?

Why have you and a few others got Tom Johnstone on the Right Wing?
Surely he’ll get his preferred wing position

Fair - was just getting his name down to be honest.

Tom Delaney - academy graduate, yet to make his debut, been on loan at Hunslet, contracted for next year

Looking good, I do think Cam Scott will be ahead of Hall in the pecking order though, although I don`t know if Powell will spell Scott in the SR as he has played there a fair bit.

I really wouldn`t be surprised to see Rourke force his way into the 17 somewhere, I just don`t know where if everyone is fit looking at that team sheet! Lots of competition for places.

Would imagine a few players like Delaney, Wood maybe even Lingard will get some experience on loan in championship next season.

Thanks, now I know.

Has hood resigned ?

An updated list to reflect yesterday's announcement:

1 Jowitt
2 Walmsley
3 Pratt
4 Hall
5 Johnstone
6 Trueman
7 O Russell
8 Atoni
9 Hood
10 Rodwell
11 McMeeken
12 Storton
13 Pitts

14 Doyle
15 Uele
16 Vagana
17 Niketemo

18 Kay

19 Rourke (TBC)
20 Delaney
21 Booth
22 Croft
23 M Russell (TBC)
24 Lino
25 Lawford
26 Shaw
27 Smith
28 Cozza
29 Griffin
30 Scott
31 Bain

32 Law
33 Brough
34 Lingard

The way I see it, we've got a proven player in every position to cover when injuries inevitably occur (Rourke, Booth, Russell, Lino, Smith, Cozza, Griffin/Scott, Bain) then another that wouldn't let anyone down if we're decimated.

Plus, a few players with one year left who I'm confident will do a good job for us in 2025, and will either tide us over for a year, or we'll find out they're up to SL for the long term (Walmsley, Hood, Pitts, Kay, Croft, Shaw, Cozza). Go in with fairly low expectations and it's an exciting time to be a Trin.

To get us completely up to date:

1 Jowitt
2 Walmsley
3 Pratt
4 Hall
5 Johnstone
6 Trueman
7 O Russell
8 Atoni
9 Hood
10 Rodwell
11 McMeeken
12 Storton
13 Pitts

14 Doyle
15 Uele
16 Vagana
17 Niketemo

18 Rourke
19 Delaney
20 Booth
21 Croft
22 M Russell
23 Lino
24 Lawford
25 Shaw
26 Smith
27 Cozza
28 Griffin
29 Scott
30 Bain

31 Brough
32 Lingard

Numbers only indicative of our squad obviously. I could see some of last year’s first team keeping their numbers for a season - players like Lino, Griffin, Cozza.

I'd have McMeeken at prop and a punt that Matty Russell will start on the wing.

I think the same. Right now my team would be this

1 Jowitt
2 Russell M
3 Scott
4 Pratt
5 Johnstone
6 Trueman
7 Russell O
8 McMeekan
9 Hood
10 Atoni
11 Vagana
12 Storton
13 Pitts

14 Doyle
15 Uele
16 Rodwell
17 Niketemo

Though I'm making an assumption about the new second row.
Happy for Lino to be in the halves if he shows form and same with Griffin, Bain and Cozza

I think Walmsley will get the starting wing spot with Russell being used as an insurance policy in case Lachlan doesn't make it in SL

Don't think Griffin will start that often, I guess it depends on how Niketemo settles into playing in England.
Cozza will probably be used in rotation with Pitts at LF
I think Lino will initially be the starting half next season, but will have to be a lot more consistent in his performance
Bain is the difficult one for me, he has clearly struggled for both form and fitness this season, you only have to look at some of his previous games especially for Scotland to realise that he's not really been the player we were hoping for. He has tried hard when selected, perhaps a bit too hard at times, a couple of times his frustration showed with silly penalties and sin binnings, Ste Mills in the recent podcast he took part in did say that we'd see a different Bain this season. I hope so, but if he can't get over his injuries, and the right Quota Player became available I would have no problems with the club releasing him from his contract. Even back to full fitness unless we have an injury crisis in the pack I don't see him as a starting player.

I’m not sure about Walmsley at SL level, maybe controversial but I think he’ll struggle to make an impact.
This isn’t a dig at him because he’s done well during the season but I don’t see the level of physicality required for SL in him and while fast he’s not lightning quick.
After starting the season as first choice I can see Russell or Rourke replacing him not many rounds into the new season.
I genuinely hope I’m wrong because as I said, he’s been really good during our Championship campaign and seems a really nice, genuine fella/team mate.

I agree Avenger it's hard to judge how he's going to go in SL, however I think that Powell and his staff have put a lot of time and effort into improving him. He is clearly both physically and psychologically a much better player after just one season in a full time environment. Publicly at least he has accepted his lack of a regular starting birth with good grace, and has been willing to play in different positions giving his best efforts for the team
As I've said I don't know if he can cut it at SL level but I think the work off the field that both he and the staff have done puts him in a stronger position to be successful, the Walmsley that we signed simply wouldn't have made it in the top flight.

I'd love him to do well but Walmsley wasnt even starting with in the championship, being kept out of the team by a player we didn't even decide to keep.
Doesn't bode well for him

Tough on Bain, I think he went OK at times, and it was between him and Boothyroyd who didn't make the cut. Neither had much luck on the injury front.

Hopefully a good pre season behind him, and we may see an improvement. I would also like to see him get a go at 13, as I feel that would suit him better.

However, there is one person in the way of that though, in Jay Pitts

Cozza played for France yesterday against Wales

It was initially a big statement signing the top try scorer in the championship in Lachlan, though as poptart has referenced he couldn’t get in over Jerry or a player we’ve just not retained. It’s a decent step up in SL, with there being an abundance of quality wingers who if he doesn’t step up would make him look silly. It’s in his hands.

In regards to Bain, I would be looking at getting a better quality middle as he hardly set the world alight in the championship, abide he came back from an injury. See what happens.

I thought Bain was showing steady improvement when he strung some games together. He strikes me as a solid middle who is a strong defender. He does look like more of a 13 to me though and I expect to see Pitts, Bain and Cozza all fighting for that 13 spot. I’m sure Bain has a good pair of hands so we could use him linking up.

Walmsley I think will go fine in Superleague. He’d have had 60+ if he’d been left on the left wing.

Powell went on record to say that Olpherts wasn’t happy at being dropped for Wembley i think and then he ended up being shoehorned in for Walmsley despite Walmsley being by far top try scorer. I think that was more to do with the dressing room than Walmsley ability though.

Walmsley has improved in a few areas of his game. He carries well from backfield and eats up the yards. He has that ability to sniff out a try from almost anywhere too which some players just have. His defence is very good, don’t think he missed a single tackle all year I can recall. I have no issue with him being on the right wing next season and I do think he will go well for us there and deserves the chance.

Olpherts did well and credit to him but I always felt it was a bit harsh on Walmsley. The positive is that we found out Walmsley can offer good cover at full back.

I thought Bain was showing steady improvement when he strung some games together. He strikes me as a solid middle who is a strong defender. He does look like more of a 13 to me though and I expect to see Pitts, Bain and Cozza all fighting for that 13 spot. I’m sure Bain has a good pair of hands so we could use him linking up.

Walmsley I think will go fine in Superleague. He’d have had 60+ if he’d been left on the left wing.

Powell went on record to say that Olpherts wasn’t happy at being dropped for Wembley i think and then he ended up being shoehorned in for Walmsley despite Walmsley being by far top try scorer. I think that was more to do with the dressing room than Walmsley ability though.

Walmsley has improved in a few areas of his game. He carries well from backfield and eats up the yards. He has that ability to sniff out a try from almost anywhere too which some players just have. His defence is very good, don’t think he missed a single tackle all year I can recall. I have no issue with him being on the right wing next season and I do think he will go well for us there and deserves the chance.

Olpherts did well and credit to him but I always felt it was a bit harsh on Walmsley. The positive is that we found out Walmsley can offer good cover at full back.

There is no way Powell pick Olpherts over Walmsley for Wembley because he complained.
Anyone who has met Powell for 5 seconds would know he wouldn't do that.

Powell said he moved him to cover FB and clearly likes him but ultimately Olpherts gets us off our own line better.
That's why he played him.