Always liked Hall and when I've seen him play against us over the years, more often than not seemed a good player, who could create something out of nothing. I was definitely pleased when we signed him.

Agree with you about Godinet, a great little player and one of those 100% always busy & involved kind of players, who's turing into a bit of a fan favorite. After a rocky start, Lyne started to find his feet last year especially whe he added a bit of size and imo will continue to get bettter and better. We all now Colllis is all class and hopefully we get more games out of him this season. If we do, whoever's outside him will score quite a few.

Wasn't sure about McShane when he came over but he's grown on me, a good reliable hooker.

I wasn't at the game, but I've heard from several people that Kirmo looked more like his old self - that's good to hear, because when we were in our purple patch, him running off Tim Smith was a really effective attacking weapon; if we can get more of that this season, we'll score a few. Fully firing, he's also one of the few who never shirks in defence.

I'd throw big Ali into the special player category as well. The old bones may be creaking and he can't play full on for as many minutes these days but even now theres not many better in the league hitting the ball at pace 15 meters out or better at getting the impossible offload away.

Same goes for Matty Ryan. You just know he gives it everything he has got and runs some real good lines. His size makes him very hard to handle.

You're bang on there, he just doesn't look a rugby player, looks more like an amateur basketball player.

Minus the odd centre/winger, this squad is reminiscent of the best we have put together in SL.

In 2004 we had a spread of talent, Domic / Solo / Ellis / Jeffries / Semi / Korki.... They were all playing at their peak together and it would be difficult to single out who to take out to weaken us.

With the exception that we need Smith to put it all together, perhaps this years squad is similar, in that the likes of Schoey can't name more than 2 who he thinks can cut it, but we all know there are way more threats in our side than that.

IF we are fit enough, and stay healthy enough, we CAN make the 8 - no joke!

I tink you are 100% correct here, why so many readers give any credence to his articles is beyond me. As you say it sells the paper

Watch the opposition coach and dugout when Ali comes on, its usually very animated with the water carrier putting in the big minutes on the pitch.

turn the argument around and out of the teams around you how many of their players would you swap for Kirmo and Smith. Not many I'd wager.

So reading this thread we can glean we aren't such a bad side after all, Smith, Kirmond, Godinet, McShane, Ryan, Collis, Hall, Lauitiiti, Sammut and Lyne all mentioned as possible 'special' players, that's almost a full team. I'm with TRB, I reckon this side is reminiscent of 2004, and will definitely do some damage this season certainly if we keep the squad fit. So watch out Mr Schofield, I think you're way off with your prediction (again) and there will be more journo's I'm sure in the next week or two getting it wrong. I can't wait for us to make them all eat their words.

The only problem with comparing this squad with the 2004 squad is that even if it is comparable the competition is much tougher. Only 12 teams in the league and bottom 4 at risk of going down.

Also the 2004 team was very well conditioned.