Its going to take a wedge of cash to sign Sammut.

Anybody heard rumour of what Hull are prepared to shell out?

I guess the reward is plugging a gap in our squad for a relatively in-expensive price. If we grew our own better we wouldnt need to do it.

Well quite!

Is there a salary cap benefit to a loan? Otherwise I can't understand bringing in a young player with little experience from another club over promoting a talented youngster from our own academy to blood them. Let's not forget that Horney made his debut at 16.

No idea, this is why it is so drawn out, trying to do the deal!

I would suggest that Ben Jones Bishop, if loaned to us, wouldn't fit that category. He's got a years SL experience under his belt at Quins and was selected for the England Squad last season IIRC.

Sometimes loan deals turn into permanent deals if its right for both clubs and the player.

Previous loan deals have been in positions where we didn't have a talented youngster - or at least not one who was ready for the step up. This one hasn't even been confirmed yet, so no point in worrying about it yet.

The larger point about the youth system is valid, and I'd like to see a shake-up there. On a case-by-case basis though the judgement has to be what's actually better for the team rather than what we'd like to happen if things were different.

I think the squad being too top-heavy with utility players over the last few seasons has meant that we have looked to use one of the fringe first teamers rather than look below the surface. We've used Washy at half back for 3 seasons which is madness. A total lose lose situation.

Hopefully we will become more position based orientated. Saints would never have done this, they get the reserve or academy lads who play that position to step up. Presumably they are all coached in a similar way and have set moves through the club so the transition is made easier.

Don't know about that, Saints regularly played Pryce at FB and Wilkin and Moore in the halves.

the thing is,look at some of the players from other teams that have gone out on loan to fellow super league teams? not many,and the ones that do go for a reason.we have done quite well with our loanees from leeds,which we get mainly to cover injuries.what people have to remember is that not only are we helping leeds,but they are helping us.it works both ways,and so far,it has been a positive thing for both clubs.

We will want to get him cheap, they will want to max it.

So presume Hull have gone in at 10k, Crusaders looking for 100k, so its a case of working to a middle ground.

It's also important for the wider game. If young capable players get stockpiled at one club because the current first team has a good supply of players in their positions they're being wasted. Without first team experience and the encouragement that brings players could stagnate and be lost. We don't have that second level where they can play to a decent standard and it's probably a big reason why the Aussies stay ahead of us. Difficult because each club wants to be rewarded if they bring a player through so a loan arrangement seems a good way to deal with it.

mark calderwood on trial at quins - news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 365597.stm

mark calderwood on trial at quins - news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_l ... 365597.stm

I'll keep saying it, think we should be throwing the money at Chase, not Sammut.