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.

Wouldn’t be keeping Sao, even if he is off quota. Clearly got intentions to be in the fire brigade and would be there now if it didn’t fall through. We need players dedicated to the club.

That’s a bit harsh. It’s a short playing career and he has a family who he has to plan for.

Which is fair enough but he wanted a release mid season until it fell through with the fire brigade, unfortunately for us. Doesn’t deserve a new contract anyway.

Poor season, fans turning on him and the club initiated the idea of him leaving.

He’s better than Aydin, Gardner, Fash, Laidlow & waignhouse (currently).

If we can’t find better who are non quota then we should keep

He’s been poor ever since he got the new contract after the World Cup. Liability with his discipline. Hope we don’t fall into the trap with him and a few others of extending their deals on potentially one good season from a whole contract.

Clean slate for me on the players.

Sounded a chaotic set up previously, so be interesting to see how they go in a professional environment. Sao might benefit from this, and a bit of help up front.