Lino signed 3 years around the time the take over happened till the end of 2026.

Actually I'd forgotten about him. That's 4 overseas players on their last year of contract this year.

Lino is not ooc this season

I stand corrected my memory playing tricks on me.

Yep, just means we have players playing for something and a point to prove, will only help us further.

Makes a change we are doing business early rather than waiting for the scraps when everyone has already done their business

Correct - Atoni improved massively when DF joined him.
He has all the ability and I'm confident he will do tbe business now there are quality props in depth.

He did improve for last 1/3 of season and I’m hoping to see that continue.

The situation regarding Walmsley is a bit puzzling to me. If he stayed fit last season he'd have smashed the tries in a season record. I'm confident he would have scored all those tries that Olpherts scored when he lost his place to him through injury. That's taking nothing away from Olpherts who I thought was unlucky not to get another contract.
I think Walmsley may be the one to go, especially as we have Russell and the young kid from HKR- but it will be through no fault of his own - he's done everything asked of him and I rate him quite highly. For me he's starting winger with Tom but we'll see how it goes I reckon.

I'm sure you will because there's competition now - look what's happened with Lino!

Thing for me is that I wouldn’t use a quota place on a winger unless it was someone extra extra special like Lesley Vainikolo or John ‘Cicka’ Fergusson. So while Walmsley has done great and he could be good again this season I’d rather use a quota spot on a spine player a front rower or maybe a top class centre

Still early days with Lino but he looks a different player this pre season. If that’s how he’s going to attack the season and play with smarts rather than relying on a step then he could have one of best years of his career. Let’s hope.

If Walmsley has a good year and offers exactly what we need I have no qualms about quota used for that. Wingers are valuable especially the ones that convert opportunities. Walmsley has the nack for that and let’s not forget he’s a pretty decent full back too if needed.

Seems most fans have already written off his spot in the team in 2026 before he’s pulled a shirt on but I’m going to back him to prove people wrong and earn a deal.

Yer. No offense to Walmsley but I agree.