So we already know that BJB is leaving for Salford and Adam Cuthbertson is arriving from Newcastle, but who else will we be welcoming to LS6 for 2015. A few thoughts on the squad.

DEFINITELY GOING

Ben Jones-Bishop

Ian Kirke

With Cuthbertson arriving we have four senior props - Cuthbertson, Leuluai, Peacock & Bailey. Plus Singleton, Mulhern & Yates all young guns wanting to show what they can do. Based on selections this year that would make Kirke the 6th choice prop at the club. With him being 34 at the turn of the year I can't see what role he'll play. Likely released to go to Wakefield or Bradford and play some 1st team rugby on a regular basis.

MAYBE GOING

Danny McGuire

I hate to say it, but McGuire is no longer one of the top half backs in the game. Every side who finished above us in the league has a comparable or better scrum half. Danny's game has for so long been based around pace and agility - attributes he no longer possesses. He's now had two average seasons in a row, and will not be getting any younger, being 32 at the start of next season.

Releasing Danny would be a decision that could well come back to bite us in the . At the same time given the transition the squad will need to go through in 2015 and 2016 it wouldn't be a bad idea to get ahead of the curve.

Rob Burrow

Something that should by now be obvious is that Burrow isn't a hooker. In 2015 he should not be starting games at hooker in front of Paul Aiton. Could quite potentially go back to scrum half - he played well there in the few games he did. Of the 'holy trinity' he is closest to his old self - the pace & agility are still there, even if they're used less effectively than they once were. Given his potential use as an impact sub or scrum half, I'd be minded to keep Burrow ahead of McGuire.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan

JJB has had a good back end to the season. But he's also spent much of this season & last on the treatment table, and will be 34 before next season is out. We should also remember that we have plenty of players in the back row (Ablett, Delaney, Stevie Ward, Clarkson, Achurch & Walters) so could cope with his absence - as we did for much of the year. I'd be tempted to keep JJB on, but his automatic selection should no longer be assumed.

Ryan Bailey

Oft criticised for not being productive enough up front, Bailey is now 30 and will be 31 before the start of next season. With Cuthbertson arriving he also potentially falls out of the selection picture given Singleton's form. That said, Ryan's always performed better when starting matches and will be around for a few seasons yet to provide experienced cover in the pack. On that basis I'd retain, and challenge him to really step up & lead the pack next year. He has the ability, it's the application that's in question.

Chris Clarkson

The phrase I hear most often about Clarkson is that he 'hasn't kicked on'. It should be remembered that he's not yet 25. At 25 we were still discussing JJB at a 100% effort 50% product sort of player, and Ablett didn't become the player he is now until a similar sort of age. Clarkson's also never been given a run in the second row to establish himself, and it's clear his game isn't one that makes him suitable to be used as an impact sub. Retain & look to give more game time next season.

OTHERS LEAVING

Jimmy Keinhorst - not getting in the side despite lots of opportunities, and isn't a 'young gun' any more.

This would leave us with a squad next year of:

1. Hardaker
2. Briscoe T
3. Watkins
4. Moon
5. Hall
6. ?
7. Burrow
8. Leuluai
9. Aiton
10. Peacock
11. Jones-Buchanan
12. Ablett
13. Sinfield
14. Ward S
15. Delaney
16. Bailey
17. Cuthbertson
18. Clarkson
19. Achurch
20. Singleton
21. Sutcliffe
22. Walters
23. Minns
24. Ward R
25. Yates

SHOPPING LIST

Peacock & Kylie are retiring at the end of 2015 - two new top-class props must be found, but for 2015 we're fine in the front row with Leuluai, Peacock, Bailey, Cuthbertson, Singleton, Yates & Mulhern

Similarly, back row has plenty with JJB, Ablett, Ward S, Delaney, Clarkson, Achurch, Sutcliffe & Walters

Outside backs we're well covered with the existing lot, plus forwards (Ablett & Delaney) who can shuffle back if need be.

Halves we need someone to replace McGuire, or for Burrow to be moved back there and Robbie Ward moved up to the position of bench hooker on a full-time basis. For now I'd prefer the former.

The worst half back in the squad isn't Burrow or McGuire

spot on. i'd keep burrow as he offers something different. mcguire, kirke, bailey should all go for me. JJB i would keep too.

All good points but in reality i see us going into the next season with the same squad of players.

I think Mac will go one more year too then as the likes of JP and Kylie retire and a few others are on the cusp it will be the job of the new man to rebuild from 2016 on.thats how i think it will go anyway.

Of course, one of the big questions for developing the squad in the long term concerns where Liam Sutcliffe & Stevie Ward play in the long run. Both have bags of ability. Ward admittedly has not recovered the form of 2012, but to be fair he's had a long-term injury followed by Sutcliffe emerging as the preferred player to come in when one of the halfbacks or backrowers is injured.

If both can regain their best form, then there's a good argument for seeing Sutcliffe as the long-term stand-off, and Ward as the long-term loose forward.

I just don't yet see either as anything other than competing for the same LF position - at best.

I'm not convinced sutcliffe will ever make a 1st choice SL halfback for a top team but unless we get the chequebook out I think that's where he'll end up once Kev/Danny are ' put out to grass'

This off season is massive for Stevie Ward to see if he can regain his form after his injury problems as he's another for me who has question marks against him going forward and as to what the club see as his long term position.

As you say I think Sutcliffe has jumped ahead of him in the long term half back role but IMO I fear both are not destined to be world beaters in that position.

Clarkson & Kirke can both be released for me and had it not been for losing both Kylie and JP at the end of next season I'd be looking at getting rid of Bailey who for me shows no sign of regaining any of the early promise he showed when starting out.

The 'problem' we have is the current coach has his favourites who when not injured are guaranteed their place irrespective of their form so we are not getting the chance (other than the odd game) to see whether any of the players 'on the outside' can step up and take over from some of these legends.

There is not too much to argue there, we desperately need a new half back and some new blood in the pack. The core f the team in next few years is going to be ablett, hardaker, hall, Watkins, sutcliffe, briscoe, hopefully cuthbertson, but we need more in the pack.

The pack really isn't the issue. We're the top metre-makers in the competition, and maintain good territory even when we're getting beat. The issue is that we don't turn pressure and territory into points at nearly the same rate other teams do. That's not an issue with the forwards, it's an issue in the halves.

I don't think there'd be all the talk about Ryan Brierley if there wasn't some substance to the rumour. Stefan Ratchford is also OOC at Wire. With BJB & Kirke leaving there's space on the cap so we should be able to get the chequebook out.

I also disagree that Sutty doesn't have what it takes to be a standoff. He needs to work on his kicking game but he's always been able to get the backline moving. Plus (unlike McGuire) defenders know he has the physical power to break the line as well as the gas to finish off a move.

I'd actually be very tempted to go with Sutcliffe at Stand Off and Kev at Scrum Half from next season, with Burrow on the bench and leaving JJB, Ablett & Delaney in the back row.

Ratchford is a useful player not a created but a dangerous runner and we have lacked that for a couple of seasons.

I think I want saints to win, but I think it's Wigans to lose

It's pointless speculating who the club might sign until Sinfield and McGuire themselves decide when to retire: neither is going to want to move to another club and it is patently obvious the heirarchy feel they owe both (quite rightly maybe)this conc ession. We have to hope the players themselves will retire with most (if not all) of their dignity intact.

End up getting relegated with a 38 year old mcguire still doggedly plodding along.

.....and Sinfield still directing operations with his new 'commitment to the club' blue and amber walking stick

^^^^^^^^^

Good to see the best generation this club has ever had get the pi** taken out of them with old man gags.

No really!

And the same ones whine that the fans deserve more respect from the players, haha!

Aww shuddup you old fart

Calm down calm down

Perfectly calm



Just pointing out the ridiculousness of some peoples views

I'm not so sure. McDermott decided to move Senior on even though the fans, the player and the management felt he should be retained, and he did so on the basis of Hardaker playing a half a dozen games in the centres.

Add the departures of Webb and Ali. Problem is replacing halfbacks isn't as simple as some make it sound, especially in a salary cap sport, especially when we stick to a certain wage structure.

The gorilla managed to replace an enitre halfback combo in just one season and all they've done since is win trophies.

When you have to do something you often find you can.

Yeah the 2014 WCC, CC and LLS are gleaming nicely in their possession....oh wait.

They haven't won anything this season yet

Where's Kirke going? I don't recall seeing any official announcement on his departure?