Not really in the grand scheme of things but i always get excited for the release of them

A slightly better method of predicting Price’s first choice team than slaughtering a goat and reading its entrails.

Goat farms have virtually become extinct in the UK. Back in the day most houses had a goat tethered to the back gate, or in their garden if they were well to do. These days the only time you are likely to see goat is in a stew when on holiday in North Africa. And even then you can bet your bottom dollar that they have simply thrown away the entrails...................... just as well Boris can read them otherwise we would be in a right mess.

Blimey, what method do you use to select your lottery numbers!

You're kidding

Quit your bleating

Suddenly realised why we have signed Inglis, isn5 he referred to as “goat”?

We've had many goats on our books, over the years.

The "Scape" variety

They do if you're the type who likes to buy a shirt with their favourite player's name and number on. Although really they should update the squad numbers with the release of the new shirt, for this purpose.

Personally, I buy a shirt about one in every three years but never get a name and number on the back. Once you're older than your favourite player, it's time to stop

That particular ball ended up in touch around the time of summer rugby in my case.

It’s probably more important for players really ie pecking order etc.I do look forward to them coming out aswell though just to see who moved up or down or not got one altogether

Any idea whether our overseas players are back in the country yet?

I saw in the Guardian that Austin was back (pictured with his guitar in what looked like Grappenhall) and they said previously that they believed Widdop was back but GI was 'expected' to be here in time to link up on Monday (11th Jan). Anybody know anything more?

Are the club even going to bother paying Latu's air fare to come back?

Nah, only essential personnel should travel due to lockdown.....

austin never left, i dont think he and the family have been back to oz since they moved over (GB tour notwishtanding)

I’ve always been against squad numbers. They promote a sense of security amongst some.
I’d prefer to revert back to team numbers. You play well, you earn the number, continue and you keep it.

If it’s in Latu’s contract, then they have an obligation to pay for it.

I'd suggest that the price of his ticket is the least of our concern regarding the cost of Latu's contract on the basis that he'll be fed and watered

Greg Inglis arrived at Manc Airport today. Was on the Wire Twitter, with pics.

I also prefer traditional numbers, so you know who's supposed to be in each position.

I know it was sometimes messed up because some clubs had (for example) 8 as the blind-side prop and 10 as the open-side, and others had 8 as right and 10 as left, or players swapped positions mid-game, but at least you had a sense of who was supposed to be where.

Genuine question, can you not tell that just by peoples positioning, and play?

Well, given the number of people who said Austin played at loose forward in that game when he was named at 13, I'd suggest a good number can't work out where someone is playing if they are not told.

More difficult in rugby league than in football.

It does throw me a bit when you have a number 1 playing centre (to give just one example, which often happens now). Because my eyesight isn't brilliant I think for a split second "what the hell is the full-back doing?"

I didn’t say, and don’t think implied, I had a problem with players position during a match. My point was, not giving a comfort pad to any squad player. No one is bigger than his selection into the first team. If a player comes in and plays well, he keeps that shirt with that number. A starting shirt number promotes competition, and that is healthy...I don’t want to see undroppables,

Edited, sorry, I just realised your post was not a question to me.
Stay safe and great year to you FMC.

Apart from making money selling shirts I don't see much point in squad numbers. As a coach I would hate to show my hand of who I think should play where so early in the season. Must be de-motivating for those on the edge of the team. I used like training at the start of the season before the first selection.

When watching teams I don't follow, like the Aussie games, I seem to be able to work out what's going on a bit quicker with the traditional numbering.

This is basically the point I was trying to make. Someone wearing 20 playing on the wing doesn't bother me. Someone wearing 6 but playing the loose forward role does, especially if the club's number 7 is then playing stand-off (have seen it happen), although I accept that a reshuffle could take place like this with traditional numbering it was at least set right at the beginning of most games.