I'd go with that.

I think this is the key. Amor aside, we don't have a minutes prop to compliment the [iimpact[/i props of Masoe and Walmsley.
Even if Sav comes through this year, from what I've heard of him, he's a lot more in the impact class. I think Thompson could really make a push for our 13 shirt next year.

Thompson 104 Meters(3rd), 28 tackles(4th)
Richards 97 Meters(4th), 22 tackles(7th)

Along with Roby and Manu the best all-round players on the pitch. Thompson looked very "likely" in attack.

Big credit to Percival also, found himself out of position after 2 minutes and did a good job on Burgess.

Greg Richards fits the bill.

Although I do agree we need another forward. If we got another I'd be very happy with the squad as a whole, depth everywhere.

Agree, I don't think we need to waste money on a risky signing when we already have a "work in progress" Greg Richards who will have stepped up a level after Saturdays win.

We don't need to be risky, and we can start the year as we are, but for rotation, and injury covers sake we need another good prop ...

I'd offer krasniqi(sp?) ghostmont contract from London, got decent reviews from the london fans and would be a 6th choice ...

Just be careful, I say. Things are awesome because we've just won a trophy, but we're far from a perfect squad.
Putting a 19 year as one of your full time, front line props is a little risky unless he's a Sam Burgess/James Graham type freak.
Also, if Amor get's injured, that means he's got the responsibility of being our head bookend.
Too much to expect from that lad at a club like ours.

Sign Gibbs, injuries and rotation will mean that Richards will have plenty of opportunity.

I'm sure on Thompson but not 100% on Richards.

Thompson has the potential to be a top rugby league player and to play for England. I think Richards is the ideal starting prop. He's nothing special but does as expected from a prop. He's big, makes meters and does his defence.

It's easy to forget that these kids are 19 years of age! It's remarkable the performance they put in last Saturday

Would it be prudent to save some cap money for incase someone becomes avaliable? There are still some gems in the championship. Walmesley and Hill, two of SL's best props were playing there not so long ago

I would see that as a risk, but if there's not the quality now then it'd be better than bringing people in for the sake of it. If one of our frontline props got injured in the first few weeks we'd be running very thin. I think it's possible to bring another prop in and leave some left aside for any Midseason possibilities ...

Lets not forget that front row against Wigan, will do against most teams.

We also dropped LMS from prop to second row, so there is some redundancy built into the squad.

There is also Walker. But yes another prop would be nice, so we could leave LMS at second row, these means with Vea coming the second row slots are already replaced.

Im not saying we dont need anyone else, but that we certainly dont need to be rushing into signing the wrong player just to fill a gap

I must confess i forgot about Walker, if he's to step up than we are chasing quality, which means we don't have to panic and chase the first name that comes along.

I do wonder if he'd be any better cover, than say Clough would have been?

We can't hold em all and Walker will have more years and more in the legs than Clough.

I liked Clough, but in the end those who played this year went further than those who went before them.

That's yet to be seen

actually feel much happier knowing Walker is there as well, takes a bit of pressure off, and I like most of our options:

Fullback: Lomax, Wellens
Wing: Makinson, Swift, Gardner, Galbraith
Centre: Percival, Jones, Dawson
Standoff: Burns, Hohaia
Scrum half: Walsh, Hewitt
Prop: Amor, Masoe, Richards, Walmsley, Walker + another
Hooker: Roby, Charnock
Back row: LMS, Thompson, Vea, Flanaghan, Greenwood, Savelio
Lock: Turner, Wilkin

Will walker be here tho ?

There's definitely room for another quality, longer minutes prop in that squad

I 100% think we need a good forward. If Lms is our new second row then we need a prop, if Lms will play prop then we need a second row.

Not a Beaumont type squad player but a quality player who will improve us.

There has to be plenty of cash for one, 10 players out including Manu and Sia who were on top dollar, and only Vea and Burns in ?

I imagine (hope) the ghostmont situation will mean we hold on for another year at least. Still doubt he's good enough to make it for us, but is a solid enough back up whose had a bit of experience. And you never know another year might give him chance to step up.

I think it is very impressive that we could lose 10 this year and still look a relatively big experienced squad like that - we only look to be lacking at prop. Just question who...

Galbraith has gone mate. Gone to Aus somewhere.

Also, you forgot Jack Ashworth. The club must see something promising in him to give him a 3 year deal. Forgot about Hand and Fozard too. I think they will still be at the club.

People seem to be forgetting that we have given out plenty of new contracts over the past 12 months. Players like Robes, Walmsley, Swift, Greenwood, etc will probably be on more money next season than this, therefore taking up more of the salary cap.

According to Brown, the contracts that eat in to the available money are Walmsley, Amor, Thompson, Richards and Percival's.

Guesstimating leaves us with Manus money at least available for a new signing:

Manu = ???
Soliolas money = Vea + walmsley
Laffranchi = burns + Percival
Wheeler = Amor
Beaumont + mcdonnell + all the rest = Thompson + Richards

How much that is, is anyone's guess, but enough to bring a very good player in imo.

Didn't know Galbraith had gone - are there any other outside backs ready to step up in the kids? They seem to have had a good season - Spedding is a name that sticks in my head?

Manu was on a big salary