I have heard that the Rhinos are again "actively" persuing the signature of Ryan Atkins from the Wakefield Wildcats for next season

This is not speculation on my part, but from someone whom i know who happens to be connected to the Wakefield club, the Rhinos also tried to do this deal last season but Wakefield resisted.

Will the Wildcats be able to refuse again ?

Read into this post what you will, but could this mean that there could be some movements within our squad for next season ?

Heard the same thing a couple of weeks ago but dismissed it as speculated rumour.

Would make a great asset for the club but can’t see the Wildcats letting go of their brightest prospect

According to my scource:

The Rhinos tried to sign him last season, theirfor i don't think that it is speculation, because my scource actually supports Wakey and doesn't want Atkins to leave the club

Whether or not the Rhinos can do the deal is clearly in the Wakefield clubs hands !

if they command a fee wakefield will let anyone go for the right price.

I can see it happen for some cash and one of our young uns

Could this be anything to do with him coaching at Stanningley for next season too, along with JP and JJB? Good signing though IMO, would also probably spell the end of Smith.

Atkins in to appease the fans after Smith's departure seems a plausible case.

I'd rather Smith could be retained as well though.

I'd rather keep hold of Smith but under the right coaching I think Atkins could be very effective. Defence needs work but he's devastating in attack.

would be an awesome signing

i doubt it.

but him regularly being out with the leeds lads on the p*ss, possibly has more to do with it

I've heard it a few times now from different source's so i'm guessing there's got to be something in it.
I'd be happy to have him but i'd still like to retain smithy if possible.

If we can sign Atkins (doesn't he play on the left and, if so does it matter?) then that is a good signing. Like other's I'd like to retain Smith also but if we're competing with RU and he wants salary then there's probably little we could do.

If we signed Atkins and retained Smith next year where would Smith play?

Full back

smithy gone for sure, ryan, it will depend on how much is offered,
I for one would hate to see him leave but if the offers there and your club is daft enough to pay out then sure good luck to him, we will replace him like we always do

I heard this last week too from a pretty reliable source.

Maybe atkins LC with Hall on the wing Smithy right centre with scotty on the wing and senior into the back-row eastwood deal binned and A another prop???????
Or Atkins LC Hall LW Senior RC Smithy RW scotty released and a new deal for broughton!!

Unless Smith shows something spectacular between now and season's end I wouldn't persevere with the Smith at centre experiment at the expense of a Senior Atkins centre pairing.

im pretty sure re-signing scotty this season would suggest he is going nowhere. im sure GH has his $hit together enough not to re-sign a bloke then let him go a few months later

You not impressed with lee's centre performance's thus far G????
FWIW i know he's been caught out defensively a couple of times i don't think he's done too bad and wouldn't have a problem with him staying there form permitting.
Mind you senior for another 12 mths with atkins plus watkins and coady to come in doesn't sound too shabby either depending on coady's and watkins development progress.
P.s I think broughtons earned at least another year if he can be retained.

Never rule anything out with the sleeve mate if scotty can't regain his confidence and form (which i'm sure and hope he can) GH nor bluey will want that big a contract as a passenger.

He's been OK and probably the best we've had there. He's had some lapses but looked the part against Hull.

However, I've seen nothing yet that means I'd prefer him at centre to Atkins and Senior which (subject to either adapting on the right) seems a powerful combination. Then there's Watkins and Coady.

Which, if Smith stays leaves him, Hall, Donald and even Watkins and Coady vying for a wing spot.

The only way I can see Broughton having a future in our 1st team is if Smith departs otherwise he's well down the pecking order, IMO.

Can't argue with any of that!!

Tend to agree that all though if Smith stays and we do sign Atkins ,providing Smith's form warrants it I'd be tempted to move Senior to Sec-row.

Ditto. Smith back to right wing without a doubt. Hall to remain on the left.

im pretty sure re-signing scotty this season would suggest he is going nowhere. im sure GH has his $hit together enough not to re-sign a bloke then let him go a few months later


Why would anyone want to do a thing like that ?

regards

G Carvell