I imagine they will at least be part funded by the money we free up when Laffranchi, Wellens & Gardner depart at the end of the year . I cant see us signing a direct replacement for any of them

I'd disagree about boof - an experienced prop would be a good addition next year - though in the 50-100k range as opposed the 100-150k range boof is rumoured to be in!

That along with Wellens and Gardner will probably fund the signings of Savelio, Thompson, Richards, Greenwood and Charnock! The futures bright

I've said on the rumours thread that my two big targets for next year would be Daryll Clark and Marc Sneyd. In terms of a good, experienced prop who wouldn't cost the earth I would through Craig Huby's name into the mix.

(Sorry Cas)

Craig huby would be a very nice replacement for boof - I know there are a few doubters about him but his stats are comparable to Amors at the moment!

As for the other 2, whilst they would be wonderful, it will depend a lot on what hohaia, wheeler and Manu are doing. If lance stays, the only really need we have would be to replace wheeler if he's let go (gob and Williams are the two rumours so far) - if hohaia goes a high quality 6/ a backup 9 should be a priority, even if wheeler stays - Manu I think were capable of having as a nice addition if he stays, but no need for a replacement if he doesn't.

Both Sneyd and Clarke are under contract as well, which will complicate matters further!

Does anyone know much about any potential hookers in the reserves?

Are you saying he's not the oracle???

There is no need to replace boof with another signing, it is time for the young guns to show their metal, don't forget they will be a year older next term. James Graham was more or less an established first teamer at their age. If another experienced prop is signed it will keep the young players on the sidelines unable to prove one way or another if they will make the grade..

When jammer came through, we had fozzard as 4th/5th choice to rotate jammer with.

It's not up to saints to give them a chance, it's up to the kids to force their way into the side, and keep the experienced players out. For me, walker and greenwood did that last week, and are in the 19 this week - if they keep doing that, then they'll keep players out regardless.

I'd like to see us replace him with top quality prop. We went that way after 2006 not replacing players and we are now just about getting over that mistake.

New players freshen up squads and keep players on their toes and our recruitment policy was poor post 2006 and IMO set us back years.

If it keeps going the way we are replace boof which another top prop and if walker greenwood etc keep getting better like they are at the end of that deal we could have 4 massive lads to lead the pack and in four years time we could have a chance of bringing a junior lad 'home'

My penny's worth on savelio - he's a talent big strong and quite mobile couple years playing against men and we could have a another maurie on our hands, just needs to keep improving and not think he's made it

Agree with this, Boof will be on very good money, probably north of £100k. You can get a quality Prop for that

Exactly. It doesn't have to be a superstar from ths NRL but a good hard working quality prop that hopefully make us a better squad.

Don't forget these young props still very very young and we can't just play them every week as it's not good for their development. We should drip feed them first grade games while giving them games on dual reg.

Very quickly looked at the out of contact post and under cas it has Craig huby, he would do a job down the middle, further improve the pack and be a good play you the younger lads to learn from

I disagree. We are ok for props but weak at halfback and in the centres. If we are to step up to the next level, we need a newlove or a tommy god. They will make a far higher impact than another prop, just see what Walsh has done this year, and don't be surprised if we are looking to replace him sooner rather than later.

The Tommy God. Ah they just don't make em like that

I've not said we don't need a halfback have I? I've replied to a post suggesting we don't need to replace a prop.

IMO if laffranchi, wello, lance do leave, we will need a prop and a halfback 100% for sure.

A prop would be some distance down my shopping list, only just ahead of more back rowers, particularly if he is taking up quota spot

Centre is a strange one to suggest. In turner and Percival we have two of the best young British centres around (only behind Watkins imo) and Dawson, wheeler and jones (why people hate on him I'll never know) as more than decent cover.

Jamie Lyon would be nice, but beyond that there are very few centres I'd look to bring in, and even fewer who would be actually available and possible to bring in.

A prop and a top 6 (and a reserve halfback and a reserve hooker) would give us perhaps one of the most balanced teams we've ever had

We don't need a centre.

We need a Stand Off, Scrum Half cover and an interchange hooker.

These!

Hence
James Green , George Williams and a cheeky punt on Snyed (loan for a year until he is OCC) would head my list. Failing Sneyd the SO at Rochdale Ryan Millard.


Beyond that a junior winger who is at the stage percival was last year ie could handle 6 or so games, thus providing cover for all the back three but not costing much.

Prop: Green, Huby, Singleton, Taylor
Standoff: <NRL signing>, Sneyd
Reserve hooker: Pelissier, Owen, Clarke
Reserve halfback: Williams, GOB, Wheeler?

(Ranked from most likely/ preferred to least)

Pick up one out of each list and I'll be a very happy bunny! Are none of the u19 outside backs ready for a step in for a couple of games?

Edit: in some vague attempt to stay on topic, it's worth pointing out Andre played for the 19s today vs hull fc who won 62 - 20, and scored 2 himself

Is George Williams any good?

Centre isn't nailed on. Percival has shown promise when he has got on the park, but those appearances have been worryingly limited. Turner is ok, but hardly top drawer, and after that we have jones who is a second row filling in, sia who isn't a centre and wheeler who is never going to make it. Centre is definitely a weakness for saints.

.

He's excellent, can play 6,7 or 9.

More of an organiser than Hampshire who played in the halves last season for Wigan 19's and is way too good for that level now. (Both Hampshire and Williams need higher level than 19's IMO)

I can't see Wigan letting him go due to Green possibly leaving and they then go with Smith, Powell, Hampshire and Williams.

Percival is 19, he shouldn't (and wasn't) over used last year, and should become more and more into contention this year. It's unfortunate his knock has taken a few weeks longer than expected ... But hardly a reason to write him off! The only British centre I would trade turner for is Watkins, and that will never happen - if he ever leaves Leeds it will be for the NRL. Dawson has shown a few moments of promise - and without wanting to reopen the josh jones debate, he still offers very good cover when required.

Who is feasible to bring in to improve on what we have? It's alright saying we want Jamie Lyon, but if he's there's no one of his quality to bring in, it's a bit of a mute point...

Brown showed excellent management of Percival last year. He needed to be taken out as he was starting to miss the odd tackle. Brown was correct in what he did.


Can't rush young lads, some can come in and play for next 10 years but others need to be handled and IMO Percival was falling slightly short due to him not being 100 % ready just at that time.