I think he still would have. He was the cheapest available option, which would have been our primary deciding factor back then.

I always thought that was a load of spin put out to make us feel better about getting him as coach.

but didnt that story come out in immediate aftermath of 2005 GF?. ie six months or so before we could have known that noble was going, and whilst millwart had just been appointed at wigan. surely we couldnt have know that early that we were likely to be changing coaches the following year.

Maybe [uwe[/u didn't. I'm less sure about them in charge.

It started been mentioned in the April of 2006 when McNamara was appointed head coach.

No. He missed a third of last season with a neck injury (bulging disc). He first picked up his current injury - groin strain - in the friendly against Hudds, having fully recovered from the neck injury. He was out of action until our game in France against the Dragons (March). He came on, kicked the ball, and pulled the muscle off the bone. He has not been playing since. Apparently he is now at 70% level training, which means he has a few weeks to go yet before he may get on to the pitch.

He might return for play off time but even if he does, he won't be match fit. If you do take him on next season he could well be perfectly healthy for you having spent the whole of his final season with Saints in the rehab room.

GF run was all down to Macca, I mean multiple championship winning coach Brian Noble will definatley had nothing to do with it at all.