In its simplest form, if you compare the team for 2025 c/w the team that started 2024, we have replaced Nicholson with Yates and Drinkwater with Hayes / Leyland. From what Sam Burgess has said, Russell has been brought in to give us 'options' in the second row.

The halfback situation is a bit 'wait and see' as it depends upon whether / how quickly Hayes can come back from a serious injury, but having Leyland there gives us a Plan B.

In the pack Fitzgibbon's fitness is clearly a concern. He only played in 17 out of 33 games last season (and failed to complete 2 of those), so we're going to need Holroyd et al.

Before the 2024 season started, we lost Kasiano. He's never been replaced, and we've missed not having a big interchange prop. Musgrove doesn't seem to punch his weight and whilst Yates, Philbin, Crowther and Holroyd all give 100%, our pack lacks a bit of size.

I'm not worried about our 3/4s. Lindop, Wrench and Taylor-Wray are there for backup and to put pressure on the incumbents.

In summary, I see us as being neither weaker, nor stronger, than at the start of 2024.

Yep ..  of course we need to give em more chances ... but it never seems the right time to bring them in. It is not easy to decide who to keep. Wigan (who produce so many players) have those that they have not kept spread all around SuperLeague e.g. HKR/Leigh etc. So it's not just Wire. So if they suddenly lost Marshall would they say why did we let Burgess, Davies & Hanley and a few more go.

I guess the author was hoping for those players that fit between those polar opposites. But the level of debate on here means we have to have this facile "false dilemma" between galactico and basement, bargain bucket players like you have mentioned. 


Plenty of other clubs make sound signings without breaking the bank. One of them is currently top of the league. 

HKR do seem to have done OK recently.
We just need Robins72 coming in here now listing all the dib dobs they have bought ... to get the full story. 

Hull KR spend the same money as we do (and have far fewer of their own youth products in the team). Do you think Waerea-Hargreaves is on £25k but came over for the East Hull air?


I don't think we've had a 'galacticos' approach for years. If anything I think we went from a really successful era of recruitment where we picked up players like Ashton and Harrison to more of a bargain basement approach this year which has cost us dearly.

Jenna last night mentioned the possibility of the quota change, we all new it was coming, BUT like she said last night some clubs are already acting like it's definately increasing. Hull being one with the Liam knight re-signing, but unless the clubs already know it's changing, if it doesn't, it's gonna create some really awkward situations.