Ian Kirke is on his way to you if rumours are correct, hes been playing well at the end of the season, possibly his best rugby since coming to Leeds.

I'd be relatively happy with Kirke as a replacement for PJ but for mine, we'd still need to recruit an old-fashioned, hard as nails prop forward, who can add some steel to our front row.

It's difficult to have a view on other positions without knowing who will be coming and going; I like Mathers and Sykes but if we have other targets that offer overall improvement, so be it.

Players coming in must be an improvement on what we have already.Dont see big changes at all but think we need a "dont mess with me" prop choose what.Sykes I dont see as the greatest of stand offs but wont let you down and lets Smith play his game and dont see anyone else out there that would do better.Like wise with Mathers not the greatest but will give his all and who else is out there thats better available.With a full off season to go at unlike this we will at least be better able to have a good start next season

Does anyone actually know what's happening with southern?

Nope. But I hope he stays

Mariano, Lautiti, Kirmond, Washbrook, Aiton, Walshaw all fighting it out for three jerseys, IMO and for no fault on Southern's part at all, just circumstances we could let him go.
Not saying we should as i think he has a lot to offer us in the back row, but i think we have enough in this department and could do with the quota spot/wages/another body, elsewhere to benefit the squad.

Id say they were fighting it out over 5 shirts with 3 sub shirts to be won in the forwards, and with that in mind I'd keep him, I thought when he played in his true position he had some really good stints. But I completely see your point of view regarding over seas spots.

I think he came over not quite 100% and then with the mixture of other things not really helping ie playing prop/setlling in new country/wife giving birth etc he just had a bad time of it.
There were signs of what he was capable of, but for me, as mentioned above, the deciding factor as to keeping him or not would be if we need the quota spot/cash for someone RA see's as more important to the team ie a big, tough, rough assed prop.

Arguably you are right, i still think if it was the best for all concerned we would be ok.
A couple of good additions at prop (i'm happy with one being Kyle) and i think we are pretty blessed as far as all the pack positions are concerned.

I've heard that Sykes has signed a 2 year deal so we'll see but I'll be happy to keep Smith & Sykes together, they clicked from the start and had to learn how each other plays mid season so they could become even better with a proper pre-season under their belts.

not many good props about Leeds signing Moore and Griffin is an example of that St Helens have got a future star in Walmsley cant see many more like him in the championship others are under contract Crabtree would cost big bucks and bigger clubs would be in for him Fielden again would want big bucks hope im wrong but my bet is Keith Mason with Kirke who i would be happy with other than that its an overseas prop but do we have the quota for one

That would be good news.

I'd also like to see a young successor to Sykes being groomed (not in a sinister way) - Syko may be in the form of his life, but he's got a few miles on the clock; it would be great to see one of our youngsters taking up the mantle.

Are there are any likely candidates in our academy system?

would be happy with that

Many Leeds fans have expressed disbelief that our very own R Moore isn't getting in the team at Shedingley despite performing well when he has played, I for one would be happy to see him return to bolster out front line.