Sadly,trent merrin has changed his mind and will stay at penrith rather than the bumper contract at leeds.

Yes he’s a big thing but I think he might be a back row perhaps. Hopefully Furner will sort this out.

I think Merrin is more in the SOL mould than Garbutt (if he is still leaving) - actually I’m not so bothered about a back row of Ferres, Ward, Smith plus JJB, Ablett, Peteru, maybe Trout or Mustapha from Academy. Maybe Sutcliffe (who won’t play centre over Hurrell or Watkins unless as cover). Singleton, Crosby, Oledzki, Holroyd... front row needs something else, especially with running hookers like Parcell and Dwyer.

If we fail to supplement that pack with real quality for 2019 we’ll end up with a transition year. If we manage to, we could be challenging again straight off the bat. Just a couple of good signings short of a decent looking squad.

I’m guessing Handley will get a wing spot.

I totally agree. He has a bit of pace. If we can get him hitting gaps out wide with Watkins or hurrell on his shoulder it could be a devastating combination. 2nd row for me all day long.

Was that a slip of the tongue by Burgess in that interview!!!!!!!!!

Interview?

If your talking about the twins in the rugby AM studio, I thought exactly same too.

Do tell ?

Is this a new video or the one from the other week on Rugby AM where George said he could see himself finishing his career in SL and if he did he’d love it to be with Leeds as he supported us as a boy and has never played at Headingley at 1st team level

Yea it's from a week or so back when George was talking about Hurrell. Probably nothing in it but you never know.

Watch the clip where they are talking about Hurrell. Saying what Leeds fans can expect to see and he started to say quote ' and I can't wait to........' then changed the subject. You never know

Whilst it would be a miracle if it came off, that would be a sensational signing...

I like the idea of signing him at his peak. I'm less enthusiastic about him finishing his career in SL with us if that means a couple of years of winding down after years of having 7 shades knocked out of him in the NRL. Leave them kind of signings to Hull and wire...

The twins were on Radio Leeds last week. They were saying how they were Leeds lads, Rhinos fans etc. One of them was singing "We're Leeds Rhinos.." in the background while the other was talking. I obviously threw up my breakfast.

Move heaven and earth and sign them for 2019.

The twins are such big Rhinos fans they both walked away to sign for Bulls.

There is no chance of them coming to Leeds at this stage of their careers I wouldn't have thought.

They said it was the chance to work under Steve McNamara that took them to Bradford.

Wasn't that more to do with Leeds only wanting George and not Tom?

John Bastian didn't think either of them would make it. He admits it was his biggest mistake.

Nope, we didn't try to keep either. We had them on scholarship purely to try and get Sam. When that went, so did the desire to keep the twins.

Mistake at the time.

To be fair it’s hard to make judgements at the younger age groups sometimes. It would be good to see a Burgess here at Leeds at some point before they’re past it though. Do have high hopes of Holroyd in the current crop - very athletic for a big unit.

It's a bit unrealistic to think that George and Tom would have turned out to be the players they are if they'd stayed at Leeds. At Bradford Tom could hardly hold onto the ball. Neither would be close to the players they are now if they hadn't gone to Aus IMHO.

How many times did Burgess drop the ball in the World Cup final - it is only this year his ball retention has improved significantly

There twins, but that doesn't make them the same player