Couldn't agree more Dave. So long as we have at least one other quality centre and second row lined up it's been a pretty good turnover of players for year one of a rebuild. It's certainly a better squad than last year. As someone else has eluded to, Salford are a good example of what can be achieved with perceived lesser players and a good coach.

2nd row I don't think we are too bad, Holmes, Cartwright, Lane, Staveley and Jebson. Depends on how good Cartwright is I suppose.

Could we get Sao off quota with the new rules?

He'd definitely be worth keeping if we can. Whilst his form has been off at times and I always fancied him as a back row, I think his form in the middle has been pretty solid this season and the stats seem to support that. We could really do with a Danny Divet/Willie Manu type in the back row but it's probably not as important as adding another centre. I have high hopes for the young duo in the back row so you are probably right on that one.

Agree on all that, Sao much better as a prop and we could do with a line breaking/offloading backrower.

Massive shame Staveley did his ACL this year. Think people are forgetting about him, wouldn't be surprised to see him as first choice with Cartwright Jnr this time next year

Carlos will be off quota if the new rules get the go ahead. I f he can have a strong and injury free run to the end of the season then i'd look to give him another year. Think he'd make a good second rower and have a similar impact to what Watkins has had at Salford since switching positions.

The only way the Cust signing makes sense is if Trueman is leaving, wonder if he'll follow Cam Scott to Wakey? In my opinion he shouldn't be a marquee player, wonder if Richie and Mr Cartwright are thinking the same

I think Cust will be our starting 9 and cover the halves when we get injuries.

Then it's just a repeat of the Nu Brown signing, playing a quota player out of position as a stop gap solution

To be fair to him he can play both, I think he's a better 9 and thought we should've gone after him last season when he left Wigan.

Main thing is Cartwright wants him and he seems a good person

That's the way I see it. Cust has played the vast majority of his career at 6 but can do a job at 9 if needed. This season he's played a few games off the bench at 9 but 6 is by far his best position.

Trueman, Abdull and Cust all high earners fighting for 2 places doesn't make sense salary cap wise when we have Charles and maybe Reynolds as back up.

If we are releasing Trueman to accommodate him that makes much more sense but I'm not sure he's better and additionally we lose a valuable quota place.

Odd signing in more ways than one.

Who was it who clocked Cust was following Pearsons daughter on Instagram last year? been a long time coming, never doubt the Instagram test

Cust was already signed before this interview I'm guessing so I'm hoping there's more to come.

Full back has to be Sailor. Coached by Cartwright recently, don't think Brisbane will stand in his way.

Don't think Pearson says what he does if we're not down the track with they mystery full back

On the surface the signing of Cust would initially seem an odd or strange signing but when you look at it we have two young hookers in Balmforth & Bourouh and question marks over the robustness of the half back pairing. Bringing in Cust who whilst taking up a quota spot I wouldn't think will be a huge hit on the cap but can play both 6 & 9. Think its also telling that he is known to Cartwright and a player he has coached previously at two clubs so will know his character as much as his playing ability.

As others have said we are in serious need of a quality centre as we look very weak in that area currently. If we can get at least one quality centre, a decent non quota forward to replace Pele and possibly another 2nd row or centre option I think we will be in a much better position than we have for a very long time. Guessing FB depends on how Cartwright & Myler view Walker, Litten & Moy.

I guess in some ways this years stripping back the decks and rebuilding is a bit like a jigsaw, as it only takes shape when almost all the pieces are put together. I think we are sometimes guilty of underestimating just how much work and change was needed after the damage done in the latter years of Radford, then Hodgson all topped off with Smith.
It's also worth remembering we were already behind the 8 ball when we started or were able to start making changes that have long been needed as most player will have already had deals sorted plus we will have been a very hard sell due particularly with form and no coach in place for 2025 for a period of time.