Something doesn't add up for me, either. Though I would hesitate to use the word 'lie'. Pearson may have been referring to salary cap usage over several years, perhaps we were near cap last year but that wasn't the case every year. And McRae's definition of 'near' the cap could include cushions needed if we have to bring in someone unexpectedly next year, plus the perhaps significant wage of the last signing?

it will be intresting to see who the qota spot will be used on like i say peter gentle was given that quota spot to go and get a overseas back now that wont be a centre now you would presume and all the talk has been about improving the right side i woudnt be suprised to see a winger come in but could it be used on a backrower/prop theres some good overseas player occ for example sika manu

I don't know about "consolidation" next season. We haven't got anything to consolidate apart from four seasons of $hite.

Bringing over a winger with him would be complete and utter madness. We need a prop and a backrower.(and a right centre)

we did need a top centre but weve just signed a centre in martin and like i said gentle was given the quota spot to go and get a outside back

If he comes back with any quota player, it is likely to be a backrower I think. Maybe Tickle will spend some time in the front row next season.

Is it safe now to conclude that Whiting will be a new back rower?

The Jodie Broughton rumour is encouraging (if there is any truth in it) but IMO it is much more important to have quality in the centres than on the wing.

Put a world class player in the centre spot and almost any mug can look good on his wing.

It has been a general opinion for a long time that he could make a good LF but now we have Westerman, that's probably unlikely. I don't think that he is big enough to play as a SR runner of the ball.

mentioned him a bit ago that would be a good signing and a improvment on sharp would need a transfer fee but im sure something could be sorted and l would also use the quota on a backrow/prop sika manu occ i think ?

Those would be two very good signings but IMO it would also leave us a bit short in the front row. (Depending on where Gentle sees Tickle playing)

Can anyone seriously see Tickle not been 13 next year?

If we do sign anyone else I reckon it will be someone on here no one has mentioned . All the people mentioned on here I don't see coming - broughton , Manu etc

Would like to think that, but condidering our so called top signings are with us for minimum 2 years, where is the room going to come from to sign the 'champion players' that Bomber talks about?
Unless AP gets his hand in his pocket and adopts a bit of Wires creative acounting then top 4 you can forget.
Very disapointed with the Martin signing, being a long time since i can remember being as deflated by a new signing. How AP thinks the season passes will fly off the shelves is beyond me.

say a backow was signed eg sika manu then it gives you options of moving tickle in the front row for spells and given that our back 3 play the full 80 id be quite happy with our forward pack if a good player like sika manu was signed