That’s what I thought but I got shot down, we’ll see.

Non fed trained is all that matters these days. You can have 7 non fed trained in your squad regardless of where they were born or from. And we don’t have a spot.

Played is first rugby down under unfortunately.
So counts as non Fed trained.

So squad so far

Backs

Jowitt - FB
A. Walker - FB
Johnstone - Wing
Kaye - Wing
Kershaw - Wing
Senior - Wing
Tupou - Centre
Lyne - Centre
Arundel - Centre/SR

HB's

Lino - Scrum Half
Miller - Stand Off
Hampshire (SH/FB/Wing)
B. Walker (SO/LF)

Hookers

K. Wood - Hooker
J. Wood - Hooker

Back Row

Ashurst
Tanginoa (SR/PROP)
Westerman
Pitts
Crowther (SR/LF/Hooker)
Batchelor

Front Row

Fifita - Prop
Tangata - Prop
Green - Prop
Arona (Prop/LF)
?

Reserves (Based on them all having played at least one first-team game)

Aydin - Prop
Greensmith - (Centre/SR)
Bailey - (HB/LF)
Croft - (Centre/Wing)
Bowes - Hooker

Train on players (No first-team experience)

Windrow - S/R
Eseh - Forward
O’Donovan - Forward

That a squad of 33 (maybe 34 soon), all but 3 with some first team.

SORRY IF I'VE MISSED ANYONE.

Get the extra prop, I don't see a problem. Not get the extra prop, still don't see much of a problem.

We used to get through longer seasons with fewer numbers and less quality than that and often did OK. If we are poor this season it's either the fault of the players/coaches or we've had yet another spectacular injury crisis. Let's stop making excuses and win something.

It won eight games mainly because half those players were not available, it's well documented.

Now you're negative about the coaching set up, there really is no pleasing you, must be a joy round your gaff

So, Lino being added is considerable strengthening imho.
And unfortunately the reason we haven't won many is because that team have not been on the field.
So now we've made it to an off season it all starts again this time.
Comparing to last season is a waste of time.

You can argue that point all you like but this is the squad we have and at their best when fit they are capable of beating most if not all teams.

how ever you look at it vastman posted a full squad not a tean a squad and with a few exceptions that squad as lost alll those games and even though we had players out we still fielded 17 v 17 and adding 1 player who know one has seen play other than clips is not strengthening or you could say we have under strengthened with the players we have lost or would you rather have senior or kaye on wing instead of bjb. Look at a team like hull kr a team we prob on par with just finished above in last 2 seasons they have strengthened very well

And do you really think this is going to be any different in case you hadnt noticed covid still around

You can’t have it both ways. You say Lino cannot be strengthening as nobody has seen him play. Yet the signing KR have made have strengthened them ... despite nobody seeing them play either. The simple fact is nobody will know till seasons underway.

Let’s be honest here the players we have lost have not weakened us in anything but depth.

Atkins
Kirmond
Brough

We’re all over the hill and hadn’t produced a good game in a long time. Truth be told we have better alternatives. No loss at all.

Koppy was marginally better but he didn’t stand up for me when we had all the injuries in the front row. Wasn’t overly impressed by him.

Gwaze no loss as barely played.

The only one I will give you as a loss is BJB.

As per the above we have lost some depth but only BJB in terms of quality not replaced by better or equal.

You say KR have strengthened. On paper they seem to have a much improved front row and forwards. However have you seen their backs and halfs? I don’t see much threat in that department.

The club have also invested in not just small but significant ballroom strengthening with Poching, last and the new physio/nutritionist. That could make a huge difference.

Plus players like batch/crowther/Jowitt a year older and looking like breaking through to regular good standard SL players.

There’s a lot to be positive about imho.

We literally only need 1/2 props and recruitment isn’t over just yet.

Honestly I’m looking forward to the new season.

Further to that, a number of youngsters got a leg up they probably wouldn't have otherwise. Some are far more known quantities than before and as such offer the coach far more options.

Croft and Walker, in particular, played themselves into serious contention for this year, that simply wouldn't have happened so soon under normal circumstances.

Ditto Aydin and Bailey who both got a look in and proved themselves capable if understandably a little green.

Last but not least Bowes who proved himself a real surprise package, still a bit off but the potential was there to see. Any other season he wouldn't have got near the first team. Chester was true to his word, with only Greensmith not given a run, which was unlucky.

I'm like you, I'm modestly optimistic that we may have been one of the teams to benefit from Covid damaged season and I realise that's not the best way to put it but you get the point.

Lets at least be pigging optimistic and at least back the lads before the seasons actually start's, if we can't even do them that courtesy, why should we expect them to return the compliment.