In its simplest form, if you compare the team for 2025 c/w the team that started 2024, we have replaced Nicholson with Yates and Drinkwater with Hayes / Leyland. From what Sam Burgess has said, Russell has been brought in to give us 'options' in the second row.

The halfback situation is a bit 'wait and see' as it depends upon whether / how quickly Hayes can come back from a serious injury, but having Leyland there gives us a Plan B.

In the pack Fitzgibbon's fitness is clearly a concern. He only played in 17 out of 33 games last season (and failed to complete 2 of those), so we're going to need Holroyd et al.

Before the 2024 season started, we lost Kasiano. He's never been replaced, and we've missed not having a big interchange prop. Musgrove doesn't seem to punch his weight and whilst Yates, Philbin, Crowther and Holroyd all give 100%, our pack lacks a bit of size.

I'm not worried about our 3/4s. Lindop, Wrench and Taylor-Wray are there for backup and to put pressure on the incumbents.

In summary, I see us as being neither weaker, nor stronger, than at the start of 2024.

[quote="Or thane":53t3lqhq]Mikolaj Oledzki from Leeds, quality prop when in form, and off contract at the end of the year. Wouldn't mind him at all.[/quote:53t3lqhq] I think he’s a confidence player. Very good or very poor. Might go well under Sam.

I disagree. Oledzki has been useless for a few years. Not sure what the hype is about personally. Our bar should be set higher than this.

[quote="wirecation":31mobuet]I disagree. Oledzki has been useless for a few years. Not sure what the hype is about personally. Our bar should be set higher than this.[/quote:31mobuet] Totally agree, very overrated never punched his weight

I wouldn’t put him down as the ‘pack leader’ we’re going to need to replace Vaughan. Probably a better option than Musgrove though I’d say as bench prop - though I’d prefer someone with more impact.

No secret that Wigan have made some enquiries but the reality is they have no cap space and there are no dispensations for signing Salford players so they aren’t in a position to move on Brierley. Would be a great Ryan Hampshire replacement. Seen that posted by Matthew Shaw. It’s been quiet for a while on the Salford front.