sorry, thought we were still talking Horne (my fault, the vin rouge is flowing)

Berrigan doesn't seem to worry about where he plays.

Or who for just so long as he's getting paid and he's happy. Which is fair enough of course , why would he want to go back to Oz to try and win a contract and then play in that tough environment when he can see out his time here. Maybe I'm being harsh but I'd have liked to have seen more committment and leadership from him and for me he'd have to have a massive season at centre before we even think about extending.

I personally don't agree with people questioning Berrigan's commitment in his time at Hull. The fact that he's continually played on through injuries with injections, in whatever position asked of him, shows ample commitment to me.

The point about leadership is a debatable one. I can see why people expect a player in such a pivotal role to be a leader, but the fact is that Berrigan has never been, nor even claimed to be, such a player. To expect him to suddenly offer a quality he does not possess is not particularly fair. IMO he has been penalised by many fans throughout his time here simply for not being Richard Swain.

Agree with all of that, especially the last point.

I still think he'll play hooker next year also.

I'm not so sure it's the diabetes that's the problem, maybe the serious neck injury is still on his mind? He just seems to be constantly picking up injuries. I have no doubt that if he gets a run of games we won't be disappointed in what he produces.

Regards Richard Horne's diabetes

Certain types of diabetes are suppressed, either by choice or by luck, through being physically active. Doctors refer patients for exercise referral for such cases, resulting in the sufferers being actively encouraged to become physically active, along with medication, to control/suppress the condition.

As Richard Horne as being extremely physically active since he was knee high to a grasshopper, he may have luckily suppressed diabetes throughout his rugby playing career without even knowing he had the condition. However over the last few years he has suffered several injuries...mosty noteably his neck injury, that have prevented him from being as physically active as usual, and as a result, possibly allowed the diabetes to emerge and become an health issue. Every time he gets injured and unable to be physically active, the condition may surface.

Agreed, it happens a lot with our overseas signings, Berrigan was brought in for that extra class, In my opinion he would have better used in centres earlier but that's a different matter, he has never been a Fitz, Kearney or Swain type character, same happened with Blacklock, people expected the complete player although he always was a flawed player but could be a matchwinner.

So that's it then ? Looks like we're going with what we currently have and I can't honestly say that I'm totally optimistic about it. Our pack will be better for the addition of Westerman but our squad has too many question marks in it to truly compete with the top two or three.

Our halfbacks are a huge concern and our inability to find anyone better than Dowes and Radford will also cost us.

I would love to be totally wrong and see us challenging for the top two but our squad just doesn't match up to Wigan's, Saints' or Wire's.

Challenge for the top 6 and hope for an ambitious 2012 recruitment campaign.

What's the latest on Rovelli? Everyone seemed to be close to certain that he'd be coming but now it's looking less and less likely?

It looks like it was just another rumour onto which many people jumped when actually none of them knew anything.

we may yet sign someone,but if we dont,after all the talk from hull of needing a back up half,we will be in the same position again.we have no adequate replacement if long gets injured.