Wigan - Added impressively to an already formidable squad.
St Helens - Some decent additions should make them stronger and maybe a little less predictable.
Warrington - Added an extra dimension with Hodgson.
Leeds - Always strong and will be again.
Hull KR - Added what was needed. Extra punch in the pack and a new S/O
Huddersfield - Seem to have lost a bit of squad depth but should still go well.
Bradford - Added much needed depth to their squad and already have some good players.
Hull FC - I dont see any improvement in their squad. They have replaced a winger with a winger of equal standard and have added to their array of loose forwards with another one. Injuries again could ruin their season, the depth of their squad isn't great.

not sure about the rest to be honest, but i think crusaders,quins and cas will struggle while Salford could push for the 8.

Why do all teams get one line apart from us?

Strange isn't it? And hkr have added what is needed while we haven't improved by signing a replacement for a player who played 4 games last season and one of the best English players who's still 20, odd eh?

That's not even including our "array of loose forwards".

Since when was Westerman 'one of the best English players'?

The kid has potential but he is not up there with the best English LF's in SL yet.

Since he keeps being included in the England or the train on squad?

He was selected for the Elite 19 man squad earlier in the year which would suggest the powers that be see him as a player with a big future international wise.

Surprised how many people are trying to belittle this signing.

Im not having a dig at the signing at all, I think he will be a good signing for your club if you can get the best out of him.

I dont read much into the train on squad as it has its fair share of average players in it.

Which ever way some want to see it, he is not up there yet with the best English LF's in the league.

From a personal point of view i wouldnt doubt Westermans quality at all and deffo think he has the potential to become an international. What i would question is why Hull decided to make an impressive declaration of intent regards investment of a huge transfer fee and presumably salary on a position that is arguably your strongest.

To cover 6 or to move fitz?

More probably is to enhance his rugby leave education playing and training next to fitz.

A few reasons I suspect. If we had waited a year until both Fitz retired and Westermans contract finished there is a good chance we would end up in a bidding war with the likes of Leeds and Saints and miss out. We were fortunate to able to pay the transfer fee now to ensure he became ours.

If we then hadnt signed him next year our strongest position of loose forward would become Washy first choice and possibly Whiting second choice - not looking so strong now is it?



The fact that Westerman can spend a year training alongside Fitz could also be a huge benefit longer term as well as his ability to play second row and 6.

In a nutshell I think it is a signing with a longer term outlook by Hull.

Hulls off-season just seems to have got stranger and stranger to me. The majority of fans on here seem to think that Hull are lacking a centre and another half back but Agar instead opts to spend a fortune on a looseforward that is likely to not even play at 13 next season.
This capture then thwarts attempts to strengthen other positions due to Salary Cap restrictions so Hull decide to try to release a big earner (Berrigan) to make funds available to make 2 more captures, presumably a half back and centre.
This is happening 3 months after the season has finished. Considering Agar has had about 3 years to build his own squad he doesnt seem to have used that time wisely to get its balance right.