I was surprised when he went to London, so am not ruling the idea out but as you say Dave, I'd only want it to happen if we can afford it.
We've cleared quite a wage bill off our list so far.
In exactly the way you do fantasy football if me choice was

1) Fit Gower + say 1 prop from Championship
2) O'Brien + Samoan prop from world cup

for same money, I'd go with number 1

there's a key word in your option one though mate isn't there.

we will never know if he is affordable - in recent seasons that hasn't really bothered your management team... albeit a previous management team, granted.

It's purely my opinion, I aren't overly flustered about what signings you guys make anyway but it adds to the debate I guess... it's the balance between quality and quantity you guys need now.

You still have a couple of strike players left, and you're correct that you need a quality half back. I don't care how far people think the game has developed, half backs win the games.

So i do tend to agree with you, IF he stays fit.... If he does get injured, you're not going to win any matches, it's whether it's worth that gamble

What ever happens with us and Gower under no circumstances will we be in a situation were we'll be just topping his pension up. Have you not worked it out that MC is a tight git...in a nice way of course. I have every faith based on what I've seen so far that he has a good grasp on the market value of players(Liam kay excepted imo). I'm sure he is not that guillable to be taken for a ride, not especially after the way he has culled the top earners. I don't know how you can make any comparisons to Seymour unless you know his wage? No possible comparisons without the numbers. As an example Gower on £60k a year with the club having the right to terminate his contract at any time would be better value than Seymour on £50k for the year guaranteed. Again in my opinion!

I sense an irritable tone in your attitude since the worst has been averted and the recovery begins. Your not one of them types that only like to talk about rugby when your own team has the seemingly upper hand are you? I've met a few of them types over the years.

Understood. And if it were just down to me, I would not go that way unless I knew he had the attitude and the fitness we needed.
But it's a nice name to discuss.

I'm sure we are a bit starry eyed here too.
When he went to London I had my doubts. He'd been playing Union and was getting older, but when I saw him he seemed to be a good purchase (without knowing the price)
When i see his name in my imaginary team sheet he makes a big difference to the team but of course, I probably see the guy that I saw play for Australia, not the guy limping around London.

I guess we'll see. I don't mind us looking for that type of player but I am assuming MC will make sure we can afford it and RA will make sure he is good enough

I shall refrain from answering that, considering as a cas fan i put exactly £142 into WTW's coffers last year.

If you like, I am devastated that Wakefield haven't gone bust.

Otherwise, apology accepted

....certainly Pop's, he's better than the you currently have at 7... though if his fitness is aa doubt I'd stay well clear, else he'd be an expensive exra in the crowd, and your would be back in the halves

I just looked up some stats on him.
The only other players who represented Australia in 2003 when he last did, that are still playing are
Anthony Minichiello
Luke Lewis
Trent Waterhouse
Willie Mason
and Pietro Civoniceva Retired but playing in World Cup of course

I'd be ok if the top 3 wanted to play and I'd probably give Pietro a go too. Not so much big Willie

Could Stu Howarth be a potential cheap back up for Wildie? Did very well for us in Kear's last year

Could be a good call about Howarth, not devastated but disappointed when he left. Nice pair of hands and a decent kicking game. Preferred him at 13 rather than 9 though. Mind you could have been a half decent player who shone in a poor side.

Can't Washbrook go play and interchange with Wildie at 9 and we put another forward such as Tautai or Trout at 13?

It's an important season and I accept we need proven experience at one of the main pivots in the team but the possible financial cost of Gower even at 36 is concerning.

Either way it's a squad game and one scrum half isn't enough so Goulding should get another 1 year contract IMHO.

Cas forum saying we are announcing McShane and Thomas Bosc this week. They normally know more about us than we do so I'd say it's nailed on!

Washbrook shouldn't be anywhere near a ball playing position. Personally I would start Anakin at 13 but thats nots going to happen.

Washbrook needs a big year. Very disappointed last season with his form considering he was a pleasant surprise the previous year

Gower at 50 60 k is piir value cas in my opinion have got a bargain a player I saw show nice touches made a few mistakes got the crowd on his back Gareth O'Brien a player 40yrs ago would have been put out of the game in z10 mins skilful yes but in them days 10 a penny

Now they would be two decent signings.

Saw someone mention Baille or someone with a similar name to that earlier too.
McShane and Bosc would be 2 great signings! Both good players respectively.