FWIW, I see a pattern in the squad numbers, and that is that there seems to be faith in the 1-13, that are senior players remaining from last year.

I'm not reading a great deal into these, and how our first choice squad would be, (eg, I wouldn't see Battye as first choice prop, and I see Jordy as our first choice number 13.

You would also have to ask the question, where does Proctor fit in and Langi. With that in mind, I'd presume maybe Kelepi and Proctor interchanging. Also, with Langis versatility, he could be an asset to us on the bench.

Quite a bit of competition across the squad, with the added bonus of how some of our young guns look.

28 Ellis Roberts

Proctor is here

That's a name I have not heard mentioned before. Yet another young prop, all good stuff

He was highly rated last year but I have not seen much of him tbh.

Not sure how long he’s been with the club.

I suspect he has replaced Shaw, which is sad for Shaw but as they say one man’s misfortune.

Mash is showing a lot of faith in the youngsters.

Full squad

I’m very happy with that.

It’s not too shabby tbh. Plenty of proven talent and some genuinely good youngsters.

There are 12 players in that team who have come directly from our academy, and a few more who started there before going elsewhere, Pitts and Kaye.

That’s a good return in anyone’s books. Half the squad is home grown, so let’s have no more rubbish about not giving youth a go.

Yes having plenty of 'Wakey' in the squad is always a good thing in my book, we even have it in the coaching staff.

Personally I've never really gone for the Wakey bit though I get your point, very few of or best players have been Wakey lads over the last 30 years, unfortunately. I do however go for the youth bit, I do think most players feel something for the club they started with regardless of where they are from.

Lets hope Murphy and his Dad feel some attachment and that the club can offer a fair deal, although I doubt they can match Saints cash for cash.

I reckon we can match Saints for cash



What we can't currently match them for is long term prospects. If Murphy moves it will be for the latter.

People on here seem awfully convinced that Saints are after Murphy, based it seems on a few posters fevered imaginations. I'm hearing Saints have no interest at present, though this may well change.

The general feeling is that Murphy may be a one season wonder. I don't think he is but I certainly get why that would be the current opinion in the game.

Remember also it's a two way street. If Murphy takes the two year deal we are offering (speculation) right now, he's safe. If he holds out and has a poor season for whatever reason, he may well find himself of no interest to other clubs and at the end of a much reduced Trinity offer to boot. It's not always the clubs who lose out. It's a bit of a poker game at times.