Young prop from Leeds I heard

Your right mate,robbie mulhearn on a years loan.

Think you might find we have signed him on a permanent two year deal TBH.

This could be another decision that bites us later on in time, just like Kyle Amor was. Really disappointed to see him leave the club permanently.

The Rhinos fans that live near me up here reckon Mulhern is half decent. They were expecting him to get more game time at Leeds this season now that JP and KL have retired.

If he is joining us, wish we would get a wriggle on and get it announced formally. Then Chezzie can name the squad numbers from 1 to 25.

Hdm today says two signings to come

Yes. I read that. They actually named Mulhern as one of them, but didn't confirm it as a done deal. The other reference was vague. Could be wishful thinking, strong rumour, fact, fiction or media spin. Guess we'll have to wait.

Worst kept secret finally outhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/35008957rl

And the 16 yr old from wakie he is not the other player the mail said i hope not he is a bit young

Unlikely, the Wakey lad is headed straight into the new joint academy.

The signing of the Wakey lad opens up a grey area in the joint academy.

How old are the players when the draft system comes in?
I know both clubs have ring fenced players for the next few years, but does this player count in that?
If because he has signed a FT first team contract with the club, what's to stop you or us in the future, signing players from the academy at 16 on first team contracts thus avoiding the draft system.

It's an interesting point and I can imagine tensions in the future.

However, scrapping the club-trained rule has simplified things considerably. I don't think the draft will work. I reckon Rovers or Hull, or indeed Cas or Saints (etc and vice versa) will just offer graduates of the academy contracts and it will be up to the players to choose. The 'ownership' of young players and 'protection of investment' associated with club academies, while understandable, isn't always best for the players and by extension, developing homegrown talent. Josh Hodgson kicking on with us or Jordan Abdul developing rapidly at Hull being examples of how free movement can be a good thing. Being player-centric rather than club-centric is one of the potential advantages of the new system, IMO.

That said, clubs need an incentive to invest, and the opportunity to offer a full-time contract to an academy-contracted player, before he 'graduates' should give Hull and Rovers a good chance of securing the best local talent. If we both want him, then it'd just be up to the player.

That's if it lasts a few years, which is a bit of a rarity in RL.

Specifically on the lad from Wakefield, as it was a Hull KR announcement rather than an academy one, I assume that he is old enough to be part of the ring-fenced cohort or has signed a senior pro deal - though I'd guess not at just 16. Edit - actually reading around a bit, it does look like he's got a senior contract.

There's nothing to stop either of us signing players ft (once they're old enough). And it'd avoid any draft - if one or both clubs think they're ready then great. I can see a flurry of signings immediately before a draft, which is part of the reason I don't think it'd work.

I can't believe that people are still buying into this draft and ring fencing none sense.

The ring fencing was only ever mentioned to appease Hull fans who thought that they may lose some of their current "golden generation". A kid can sign for whoever he wants when it comes time to turn pro irrespective of whichever scholarship he came through. Oakes is an obvious current example.
Any potential draft system will be totally unworkable with the top line lads. They will sign for who they and their parents want. The middle tier might be happy to be involved.

It'll all end in tears. That's why FC are keeping Radford on.
I'll fight you for him!

1. Ken Sio
2. Josh Mantellato
3. Liam Salter
4. Iain Thornley
5. Kieran Dixon
6. Terry Campese
7. Albert Kelly
8. Adam Walker
9. Shaun Lunt
10. Mitch Allgood
11. Maurice Blair
12. Graeme Horne
13. Chris Clarkson
14. Kevin Larroyer
15. James Donaldson
16. James Green
17. Dane Tilse
18. Ben Cockayne
19. John Boudebza
20. James Greenwood
21. Thomas Minns
22. Matty Marsh
23. Ryan Shaw
24. George Lawler
25. Stephen Holker
26. Robbie Mulhern
27. Will Oakes