Seems that way. Shame really as the lad has a lot of potential to be almost as good a winger as Johnstone.

We still due a fee?

I suppose it depends if we offered him a contract before he left like with Shaw, Croft. Up till they were 23 we were due a fee I think.

Suppose depends on the contract but we could be. Rather have seen him back though. We only have 2 x wingers next season signed afterall so are very light there.

I’m perfectly fine with TJ and Walmsley next season. Both can score tries given half an opportunity and Walmsley has steadily improved through the season in his carries so I think that’s a good set of wingers for next season.

Perhaps Booth and maybe Rourke will offer back up next season in a number of back positions.

I reckon we are giving Olpherts a go next year.

Matty Russell yet to be confirmed.

You really need to let go with that one.

I sincerely hope not. I like him but he’s 34 nearly and he’s the very definition of a player who’s found his level and benefitting from being in the strongest set up in championship. SL is another or 2 up I’m afraid.

Still not convinced as that one started almost the same day the Oliver Russell rumours started.

Personally I’ve never rated Matty Russell.

I'm the same. I think someone just got the wrong name.

If SL is going to be a step too far for Olpherts then it certainly will for Hood and Pitts.

Disagree 1000% on that different positions and Pitts/Hood didn’t struggle in SL last season. They were solid performers. Chalk and cheese this comparison you’re trying to make.

Wingers get targeted a lot more in superleague and have to make more decisions in defence and get put under more pressure. Something Olpherts I think will struggle with.

Are you seriously trying to compare a winger with two players who play in the middle to use it to justify why the middle players can’t step back up. That’s very strange.


I know Olpherts seems to have won a fan base but let’s not forget he struggled for a couple of seasons to cement his spot in SL and didn’t enjoy and particularly good form.

He is again the definition of a player who’s found his level. I like him, he does a wonderful job of carrying early sets but he has massively benefitted from his move to the left with almost every try walk in try’s untouched from brilliant play inside.

I remember when Olpherts first came. A lot of fans weren’t keen but from day one I was very pro Olpherts and said he would be a good signing and he was brought in to do hard carries. Eventually some fans started to recognise this and saw his value. But again this is getting post contact metres against championship opposition. Something not as easy vs SL defences.

You may think Olpherts can step back up and that’s fine but I think he’ll struggle. He could get another couple of positive seasons at a top championship club. Nothing wrong with that.

Well Pitts and Hood have also only been playing against championship opposition. And our forward pack did struggle massively last year, it’s partly why we finished bottom. Won’t forget that try Cas scored from OUR play the ball because Hood was too slow.

Also is it any wonder we started slipping lower and lower down the league because we kept signing players from relegated teams. Our pack got worse from the 2017/18 teams.

I put Pitts and Hood in the same bracket as Kay and Ashurst, they’ll be decent for top end championship clubs but will struggle now in SL.

I don't really agree about Pitts.
He was with the exception of Fifita our best forward last year. If the others had his heart we'd have been fine.
Of course there is an element of looking good this year against Championship opposition but that's more a fitness thing.
In a pack where we are going to have some good but young players, having an experienced leader will be essential.

Hood is slightly different. There are clearly better out there but he isn't rubbish. His defense is as good as any other 9 in SL in terms of power.
He's not going to sprint the length like Clarke but we just need good distribution from him.
If we suddenly had a Cam Smith or Harry Grant then fine, but for what is available I'm happy with him for another year.

Think Pitts is class myself and Hood has improved don't forget they are much fitter than they were last year most going down a shirt size remember a pound of fat takes up much more space than a pound of muscle.