Bain plays for Scotland so will he count?

Pretty sure Cozza doesn’t play back row. He’s a prop or 13 and has played well in those positions pre season. He will continue to operate there I would think. I do think he is a player who could do a good job at SL level.

To be honest I think the likes of Vagana, Uele if they keep progressing could very well be good SL forwards.

I’d be happy to only add 4/5 quality English players for next season and build from there.

If we are looking at players such as TJ and Mckmeeken we will be fine.

There’s a lot of rugby to be played and im sure the players will prove their worth.

Ky Rodwell playing for Parramatta v Canberra pre season friendly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4-jXz-LpBU

Ky Rodwell playing for Parramatta v Canberra pre season friendly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4-jXz-LpBU

I know he doesn't currently play there but as I said I think he could make a good back-row replacement. He's a good versatile player and our back row is coming towards the end of their careers, he could probably make the move there IMO. Personally, I think he's a little undersized to be an SL prop but what do I know, he's got the attributes to play there. He's a hard-working player, got good defence, and runs some decent lines to be a decent back rower. Was just an Idea with us potentially signing Rodwell and I'd probably like to keep him. Getting decent British/French players is getting harder and harder. A lot depends on Pitts and Ashurst for next season and their plans tbh.

Like I've already said, I think we've got the start of an exciting pack/team that we've somehow put together, Vagana and Uele especially excite me and could be potential top players in SL, plus the older heads of Bowden & Atoni make a really good Prop rotation. Then add in the British players like Doyle who looks like a future star, along with young Harvey Smith and we're well covered at Hooker. I also love how Croft and Pratt have come along, plus the addition of Thornley. I'm also looking forward to seeing how young Lawford progresses. It's all exciting for the upcoming season, which I haven't said for about 5 or 6 years.

Doesn't matter mate, he played his junior rugby down under, the same as Walmsley, so counts on the cap in SL. It's all about where they grew up and played their junior Rugby.

If we want to hit the ground running on our return to the big time ,these are exactly the type of overseas players we want , young and hungry and wanting to make a name for themselves . The overseas selections will sort themselves out I’m sure in the coming months who’s stopping and who’s going , no room for sentiment I’m afraid it’s a cut throat business ,and it’s tough at the top . I’ll admit I was exited when Proctor signed ,but it quickly turned into an expensive nightmare and even if HKR and Leigh haven’t learned the lessons of bringing battered old Aussies over who want nothing more that to travel Europe and top up their pensions ,it’s looking like we are going down another route at this moment in time .

Ky Rodwell hasn't been selected to play in this weekend's pre season game against the Gold Coast Titans

Not Trinity related but both Kai Pearce Paul and Will Pryce are included in the Newcastle Knights squad

Interesting, I know his current side was not sure about letting him go early as he's a top 30 player, so it depends if they see an opportunity to get someone off cap and strengthen elsewhere or along that line. Tbh we don't really need him this year, but it also would be good to get him over here and establish a relationship now before any move to SL, that is of course if all things go to plan this season.
He could forge relationships on and off the field while we're in the Championship, that's also easier to do in a winning team where everybody's got the same aims and aspirations and basically a bit less stress and eyes on you at this level. Aussies don't always hit the ground running in the first season of SL, this would be a good introduction if it comes off for everyone involved.

We'll see what happens.

I think Cozza will be okay this year, but from the few games I've seen I don't think he's SL quality unless it's the lower end. Same with Boothroyd, I think he's got a lot of work to do if we go up.

I don't know how true the TJ rumour is, but if it does come off then either Walmsley moves to the right or we've got a quota player sat in the stands.

From what I’ve seen Cozza looks every part a SL player. He’s come into likely an higher intensity environment but he’s got the physical attributes but more importantly has got a decent pair of hands. I see him as more of a 13.

Boothroyd, has literally never played against men before this season and is only 20/21. There’s bags of potential there and scope to grow his game. In the very least he looks strong and direct as well as robust. He’s linked up well on the edge too last week so there’s a player in there for sure.

Honestly it’s too early to judge properly and through the season we will see them grow as individuals and a team but early signs are good.

We will probably have a better idea a month or two after the seasons started. An opportunity for a few players to show their worth in some tough early games.

Yeah I get your point and agree that it'll be fairer to judge at the end of the season when they've spent more time in a full time environment. But I can only base it what I've seen, and I actually thought Boothroyd looked better against Leeds and Wigan than he has in the cup games. We've done well to keep hold of Atoni, he seems much fitter already than he did at any point last season.

I agree, since Big Dave came back he seems to have gone from strength to strength, the way he runs the ball he seems so much more confident than he was. When he takes the ball in he knows he's gonna be a handful and make meters, bend that defensive line and push players away for fun and is so hard to get him on the ground. He's really raised his game so far this season, I've been impressed.
Saying that all the props from Bowden to Uele have been an absolute handful for the sides we've played so far, long may it continue. Also with Vagana, he just looks like a future fan favourite to me and has all the attributes of size, speed, and leg speed, plus comes from great RL stock, it'd be a surprise if he isn't.

Atoni looks leaner to me this season, and he's also shown some handlng skills we didn't see last year. I've been impressed with Uele since Boxing Day. Not seen much of Vagana but reckon we could see him in the second row at some point. I'd like to see him running some lines out wide.

Yeah, he does seem to be getting up to speed quicker and hitting the line harder and just sort of looks lighter on his feet if you like, it must be from the off-season fitness improvements he's made. You can see he's made a real effort to show us all what he's made of, which is encouraging from both sides, Atoni and the coaching staff, in getting into such good shape. There's also no doubt he's doing longer spells than last year as well.

Vagana, although we've only seen for a short spell, I think we've got a real find on our hands. He's got that physical presence of height and size with long legs and arms, that some of the top players are blessed with. He just needs to get some game time into him now and hopefully become the player we all hope he can be. As you say, I could see him making meters down the middle or using him a little wider and causing havoc on the edges, no doubt he'll get a chance in the back row to see what he can do at some point.

Long story short, unusually for us, so far I've been really impressed by the players DP has brought in, hopefully, it's part of that new system they're using to find players that fit into Trinity's game present and future.

You do have to remember the defense in front of him is slower though