Could not disagree with you more on that point. Yeaman is having a great season, particularly in defence. Your point is good about a centre though and I for one would love to see Whiting at 13.

Sean is a very good signing he will boss the referees around as he does at Saints. He niggles at refs all through the game which gets them a lot more penalties. His skill factor is better then most, worried about his age though. He will be our backs captain and Fitzy will be our Forward Captain.

wasn't Saints interested in Dobson for next year?

I hope so. It just seems odd that he's the only player who seems to get dropped for playing reasons.

That's the fella, he looks like Long's replacement to me.

I think we're so thin on the ground that we can't afford to drop anyone else...

Looks more like a 7 and Eastmond looks like a 6.

He should be captain next season also.

A player like Sean and Fitzgibbon will help attract other top players.

Think he will really help the young halfbacks in the sqaud and hopfully at the end of the two years someone like Lee Williams will be ready to take over.

This signing reminds of Tony Smith signing for Hull.

I'd make Longy or Fitz captain, without a doubt.

Have to agree Eastmond looks like a 6, think Matty Smith might start at 7 for Saints next season, always seemed to do well when he stepped in for Long and has had a decent season for Celtic this year.

Eastmond is as much a scrum half as Long was when he signed for Saints. I suppose Kyle could move to six, but Pryce has that spot, and behind him there is Wheeler, who looks an amazing prospect.

We've got a pile of talent coming through in the creative positions. Matty Smith is out on loan and could return (his long kicking game is great, but he needs to get a grip of the short stuff). Wheeler looks the business. Then there's Lomax (another fantastic prospect) who can cover both six, seven and looked very good at full back against Wakey.

I'm glad Long's going. He still has a bit to offer, but the time for the kids is here. Long would only have hampered their progression, IMO.

Starting to shape up a bit if you ask me.

Raynor Calderwood Briscoe Rich Horne Berro, Manu, Fitzgibbon, Long Lauaki (when he gets here) etc...

Long is currently the best SH in SL, based on televised games. Exactly the type of player we need.
If Eastmond is better, why is he not playing now?
Any overseas signings come with a risk over visa applications too, so I think this is a good signing, and certainly as good as we could realistically expect.

we can't sign lynch to replace thackray. thats another hard working grafter forward and an impact player out.

if lynch is coming in it should be to replace cusack or king as i think he is pretty much our worst prop this season with the exception of Moa who is a project