Does pretty much confirm Mulhern will be going to HKR on loan this year though as he was number 25 last year and has now dropped out the top 25.

No. I don't recall anyone saying that. I think you have misread.

What has been said, and is the case, is that Cameron Smith has had to be included in the first team squad for salary cap purposes, as it was the only way to fit on those rules, and would train full time with the first team squad.

The wonderful vagaries of the salary cap. The below is a part of the rfl rules. Not sure it will help your discussion regarding cameron smith!

A club's players are the 25 players registered with the club and eligible to play in the Super League who have the highest salary cap values at the time in question, whether or not they have played for the club in a salary cap relevant match in the salary cap year to that date, in addition to all other players at the club who will or do play in a salary cap relevant match.

That's really good news....looking forward to seeing plenty of them next season. Lilley and Baldwinson too. Still thinking Golding might be worth a run at SO (as well as FB)

Mulhern will benefit from playing super league rugby, no doubt JP will keep us briefed.

Think Golding and Lilley could still end up going out on loan at some point next year. No need to rush into a decision yet when so early into pre-season, especially regarding Lilley if Sutcliffe doesn't make it back in time for the first few games.

If they're going to consider having Golding in the halves then he'll have to go somewhere on loan to see how he goes there IMO.

With Hardaker, Hall and Watkins only just ending a long season (and probably in next year's 4 Nations) then it would be good next year if we can give them a game or two off here and there when possible with the chance to bring Handley in or Golding. Won't be easy under the new format and with the top 8's but hopefully achievable.

Given how most teams nowadays suffer tough injury spells with 6/7 guys missing at a time I reckon Baldwinson will get several games. If he can do a job as a back rower whilst Ward and JJB out (and with Delaney and Achurch always a worry injury wise) then he could increase his game time.

Sutcliffe 14. Singleton 16

Falloon 9
Ward 13
Sutcliffe 14
Singleton 16
Garbutt 17
Keinhorst 18
Handley 22
Golding 23
Baldwinson 24
Lilly 25

Fill in the blanks!

Just realised, this means a demotion in number for Achurch. Which is a fair reflection on his impact to the team.

Yep, pretty much nil over three years.To be fair, not always his own fault because of constant injuries but when you see the impact Garbutt made over less than half a season....

You'd think Walters will stay at 21, so it's the 19 and 20 shirts that need filling. Assuming one goes to Achurch and the other to Mullally?

Interestingly, the club website still has Kylie Leuluai on the First Team Squad page despite having taken all the other leavers off. Wonder if Leeds are retaining his registration just in case...

Does this mean it should pan out like this?

1. Hardaker
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. Moon
5. Hall

6. McGuire
7. Burrow

8. Galloway
9. Falloon
10. Cuthbertson
11. Jones-Buchanan
12. Ablett
13. Ward

14. Sutcliffe
15. Delaney
16. Singleton
17. Garbutt
18. Keinhorst
19. Achurch
20. Walters
21. Mullalley
22. Handley
23. Golding
24. Baldwinson
25. Lilly

But what number will Ryan Brierley get?

None until 2017.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Well Leigh have finally completed the deal for Rangi Chase so what does that mean for Brierley? If he is on loan there in 2016 and heading to us in 2017, why would they pick him ahead of Chase and Ridyard this season.

8. Galloway
10. Cuthbertson

If the squad numbers are now the same as last year, that leaves 19 and 20 to announce with Achurch and Mullally left.

Probably Gary's holding onto releasing these shirt numbers as he might be after borrowing Sam Burgess for a year or grabbing Brett Ferress then dumping Achurch - sounds good to me.

Good god please lets not restart this saga

Completed now with Achurch dropping back down to 19, Mullally takes number 20 and Walters stays at 21

In full

1 - Hardaker
2 - Briscoe
3 - Watkins
4 - Moon
5 - Hall
6 - McGuire
7 - Burrow
8 - Galloway
9 - Falloon
10 - Cuthbertson
11 - JJB
12 - Ablett
13 - Ward
14 - Sutcliffe
15 - Delaney
16 - Singleton
17 - Garbutt
18 - Keinhorst
19 - Achurch
20 - Mullally
21 - Walters
22 - Handley
23 - Golding
24 - Baldwinson
25 - Lilley

Love to have been a fly on the wall at the conversation with Achurch, see how that went down.

good squad that is.21 to 25, those young lads have already proved they have a very bright future in the game and would be much higher up the pecking order at almost all other SL clubs.

Well hopefully it gives him a kick up the backside, he can't really complain as Singleton deserves a number that illustrates his position in the starting 17.

I have it on good authority he shouted and banged his fist on GH's desk.

His hand should be fine for the start of the super 8s.

He'd have no justification for complaining. If we'd have found anyone to take enough of his contract off us he wouldn't have a shirt at all.

I'd have ditched him after the Catalans game tbh and given the extra spot to Mulhern.