I appreciate there has been a lot of debate about financial impact of Covid and it’s effect on the squad moving forward into 2021 whilst we have been in lockdown and not having any SL to watch.

Thought it would be worth looking ahead given the speculation to look at a forecast of the squad next year.

I’m working on assumptions and strong rumours of the following -

Gildart, Joe Burgess, Tommy, Locky, Ben Flower, Greenwood, Navarrette, Escare& Hastings all gone from the squad that started 2020.

I’m working on the strong rumours of Bateman returning.

I’ve not included either Shorroks as I’ve no idea on their circumstances.

I would say I’m expecting us to work with a smaller squad and versatility will be key. I’ve placed each player in a potential ability to play that position to a reasonable standard and who has played in that position before to a SL standard. The first name is the strongest in that position/most likely to start in that position.

1. French, Hardaker, Hanley, Halsall
2. Marshall, French, Hardaker, Hankinson, Halsall, Hanley
3. Hardaker, Hankinson, Bateman, Halsall
4. Bibby, Hankinson, Bateman, Halsall
5. Manfredi, French, Hardaker, Hank, Halsall, Hanley
6. ?, Powell, Hanley
7. Smith, Powell, Hanley
8. Clubb, Partington, Bullock, Byrne, Clark, Harvard, Wells
9. Powell, Borough, ?
10. Burgess, Partington, Bullock, Byrne, Clark, Harvard, Wells
11. Bateman, Isa, Wells, Pearce Paul
12. Faz, Isa, Wells, Pearce Paul
13. Smithies, Bateman, props as above

Possibly missed some out but to me it highlights that whilst we will be losing potentially 7 big earners and under the presumption Bateman signs we could put out a very competitive team capable of challenging on all fronts with the versatility we have by only bringing in a half to replace Hastings which is a must.

I’ve personally also thought if we can afford it we need to be looking at prop, however I’m now seeing a case for centre given that analysis. I guess it depends on who is available and at what price.

What has surprised me also and I’d never thought of this is that we could do with Tommy doing the rounds again for 1 more year if his body is up to it, to give us depth in the halves and hooker.

In my head this analysis makes sense to me...I hope you understand the principles of what I’m trying to do even if you disagree.

Think you missed French to the halves with Hardaker back to FB, that would be a reasonable option - would leave potentially Bibby and Hank as centres which may mean a centre signing could be a higher priority if Gildart does go. Although Bateman and Isa can cover there neither is a long term option. We seem to have a degree of versatility in the squad but maybe a lack of real strike power.

I don’t personally see French as a half option and I don’t believe he has ever played there at top level.

He could do a job I guess but I’d be very reluctant to play him there.

Ideal world is we spend any spare cap space we have but we’ll have to be realistic. I’d be happy if we can get in a replacement for Hastings, a new prop and get Bateman back. It may be that it isn’t possible to do that even with all the exits, so we’ll have to see.

I’d see the main squad hopefully shaping up as follows-

FB-French, Hanley (Hardaker can jump in if needed)
W-Manfredi, Marshall (Bibby as back up)
C-Hardaker, Hankinson, Bibby, Halsall.
HB-New Signing, Harry Smith, Woods.
HK-Powell, Burrouh. (Leuluai May stay on though)
P-New Signing, G Burgess, Bullock, Clark, Partington, Havard, Byrne, Kilner.
BR-Bateman, Farrell, Isa, Smithies, Wells, Shorrocks, Pearce-Paul, McDonnell.

Dependant on if and who we can bring in the squad will still be very competitive. I’d hope we could keep Gildart for another year and if he goes that’ll be a worrying position and I’m not sure there is enough quality on that list. I’d be happy to bring back Josh Woods and Craig Mullen to fill out the squad. I didn’t feel Mullen ever got the opportunity to show what he could do. I know Woods isn’t the quickest but he has a good rugby brain and as back up, I think he’s a decent option. I prefer him to Jake Shorrocks.

Fair enough but when he signed a lot of talk was of him playing there (and he did get the number 6) and also he did play there albeit in short bursts in a couple of games. Whilst I wouldn't expect him to start there (except if we had a shortage due to injuries) he could be a useful switch in games as a strike runner.

My worry about the squad next year is a lack of real strike players if we lose Gildart - Hankinson is solid enough but has not shown any real strike, Hardaker was pretty similar early this season and Smithies at 13 hasn't really shown much in attack, we would be very reliant on French and the wingers. A lot will depend on who would replace Hastings - assuming he leaves - I would not like to rely on Tommy going around again.

I’d only like Tommy to go round again as cover. Maybe a player coach role.

Big year next year for Hank.

I know he was a low profile signing but a lot of the top teams were after him so he clearly has potential.

French did play a couple of games at 6 in patches you are correct however he looked pretty poor there although to be fair it tended to be off the bench when he first signed.

For me though he needs to remain a 1 but you are right he could cover there if we are pushed due to injuries etc.

Maybe give P-Paul a go in the centre. We have seen some back rowers move there successfully, he is quick and could cause teams problems running out wide. Of the young forwards I think Partington has shown the best passing game he could play 13

The one vacancy mentioned was at 6 and the club had been rumoured to have expressed an interest in Benji Marshall. If Hastings goes and Marshall arrives then he plays 6 with Harry Smith at 7.
This should be Tommy's last season as a player. Smith can be given more game time as the season progresses so he's about as ready as a younger player can be when being given a 1-13 shirt.

Ha ha ha ha good one that about moving French to a position he doesnt play, not heard that one for a bit.

If you read my later post you will see I am not suggesting a total move but as an option in case of injuries and possibly as a switch type play, we lack cover in the halves if Hastings does go and we do not sign anyone - Smith might be the future but can he carry the team? Tommy going around again would be a risk and beyond that who do we have?

From the bits he played at 6 when he first arrived he looked a bit at sea but now he is more familiar with the team it might work - I hope we don't need to rely on him there given that FB is his best position but hopefully if Hastings goes we can bring someone in but with the situation as it is that would not be a given.

If we did end up with Smith, Tommy, Smithies and Powell as our creative heart then I would worry (and possibly Gildart gone as well).

I find it very sad that the creative 13 is no longer a thing.. but sadly it seems to have been phased out of the game.

The 13 role now is the extra prop.

I’m comfortable with Smithies in that role.

He may lack the go forward but he looks like he will develop into a decent edge runner and his defensive effort will allow others go forward.

French will be a creator in the spine not necessarily because of his natural passing but his pace and elusive running means he will naturally create space for others.

A real shame that this is the case, particularly after a few weeks of watching Andy Farrell and Paul Sculthorpe in retro games during lockdown. Incredible players, both of those. The 13 used to be the centre piece of the side - the one true all rounder. I hope the club and the game in general phase this type of 13 back in time.

Let’s not ignore Locky.

Wonderful ball playing 13.

Fair comment

Yes and Sinfield at Leeds - I think with those 4 you have a group that epitomise an ideal loose forward.

Mr Hanley wasn’t bad at 13 from what I remember


My fav 13 used to be Steve “knocker” Norton he was sublime in his days at Cas & Hull

Yeah I guess I was mainly referring to SL history. I caught the back end of his career when I first started watching RL - several have told me he was the best player they'd ever seen.

They were not wrong when they told you that.

I’m hearing French may not be here next year. If so, along with the other names mentioned, the team will look very different next season

He back off to Aus ?

Yes that’s what I’ve heard from a good source. It will be interesting to see if he comes back when the season starts back up again , I hope he does he was excellent before the covid situation!

No he’s back now, went to aus before lockdown but has returned

Has it been confirmed that he’s back? He may well be but my source from within the club seems to think he isn’t

no confirmation just this from 11th June

He is hoping to secure a flight back next week, revealed coach Adrian Lam.

Because of government rules surrounding coronavirus, he will then need to self-isolate for two weeks, clearing him to start training – and venturing outside – from July.

I saw that article and I hope he does come back, I’m just going off what I’ve been told