I don't need to talk to them, they're not stupid

Are you going?

Remember Jake doesn’t care what people think of him so you won’t see him arguing on here and trying to point score and be clever

I think that's airing a little on the side of over pessimistic.

I guess it depends on what constitutes doing well.

The pack, with an addition to go with Cartwright, Asiata and even a fit Staveley is better then we had this season.

A half/back choice of Sezer, Abdull, Cust is better then we've had all season.

To refer to Rapana as a 35 year old winger to play fullback is a bit dismissive to his quality and what he'll bring, though not untrue in what you say.

I agree in our weakness at Centre.

There's a team there, with coaching, that should push us into the lofty heights of 7th down.

That to me would be fair progress.

Interesting what the impact is if Ben Hunt leaves the Dragons, would feel a bit uneasy if we signed Hastings or Lam.

If he goes to the Titans it might free up Boyd.

Not sure if we need another thread, but as of December 1st, we can approach and sign people for the 2026 season, seems far too early to me.

Looking at our OOC list, our priority has to be Staveley and Balmforth.Also Barron amd Wainhouse.

Ashworth is an interesting one, good player, but needs to play more often for a new deal.

Sao will come off quota, so maybe worth keeping depends on how he goes.

There is a list out and there doesn't seem much on thar list to excite that is also realistic.

Hard to say this early about what we need.

2 centres and a front row

Maybe worth asking tomorrow at the forum, are you going?

Hang on, we can start to approach contracted players for the 2026 season before the 2025 one has even begun?
That seems a bit nuts.

Copying off the Aussies. I said on another thread if the likes of Balmforth start the season well we’ll have already be in a battle to keep them.

I’ve stayed away for a while as a lot of the time, it just feels like petty point scoring and arguing.

Thought I’d weigh in. I’d argue that some of our signings individually are steady but as a unit I’m not a fan.

Asiata, Cartwright, Hardaker & Rapana will be good additions.

I would probably take Sezer or Abdull individually but not both.

Cust could be anything be anything but a big risk and not a signing I would make. Him and Sezers quota could’ve been better used.

Sign a decent prop like Byrne would make a big impact for us. Sign a decent prop and I don’t think top 6 with a ton of luck is impossible. I’d have us 8-10 hopefully but with luck with injuries and players settling we could do better.

Funnily, a Rovers player did tell me he thinks we have recruited really well and will be the surprise package this year and a member of their coaching team told me that if we fix the atmosphere & S&C teams we will be around the play offs.

I’d hope Balmforth, Staveley & waignhouse have extensions before the end of pre season. Potentially Barron if he progresses nicely.

I’d then extend Ashworth and Sao (if non quota)

Wigan fan on their forum, claiming we are really pushing for Byrne.

He’s what we need:
1. From a winning Culture
2. Good age
3. Can bust a line & offload.

Someone’s just changed his Wiki, got to be someone here looking for a nibble, surely

Would be a fantastic signing if we can pull this off. Exactly what we need.