It's Brown and Austin next year end of, we're full on the Quota now anyway so couldn't sign Drinkwater even if we wanted to.
7 spots and they're all taken.
1. BMM
2. Sitaleki
3. Goodwin
4. Austin
5. J.Clark
6. Mamo
7. Tasi

We're not getting Drinkwater as Price even said he's not on our radar. It'll be Brown next year with a new one in 2020 i'd say.

That's the biggest back line I've ever seen.
Wow.

I'm not well up with quota rules but if Austin is eligible to play for England, shouldn't that take him off quota?

No, he’d be non fed trained at best. So would count as one of the 7 ‘overseas’ players.

Gareth Widdop I believe would count in the same category, as he ‘trained’ in a different comp (I.e. the NRL) before the age of 20.

Unless the RFL have changed the rules again...

You'd have thought Widdop would have a British passport....wasn't he born in Halifax?

I agree, but, that doesn't follow a squad filler narrative IMO, come in for a couple of games then revert to the stand, the bench, or another position when the first choice' is available, or you are needed to fill in elsewhere

“Squad filler” definitely has a pejorative ring to it.

London to have a press release at 12pm today.
Heard that Austin has the no6 jersey and 7 is currently unsigned.

Thought the press release was Monday?

Yes....bad rumour from me.
Monday

Possibly a swap ,Brown for Sammutt ?

I specifically said "last test" to make my point.

He's not first choice, if you prefer. But splitting hairs aside, if Charnley/Rachford/Linbeham are all fit. then I cannot see JM getting a game.

I wouldn't be too sure of that...Price is the opposite to TS and rewards and retains form over seniority.
You make the team and do well...you stay in it.

I am splitting hairs, apologies, but, a squad filler won't keep the shirt. He's the player that can do a job if needed, brought in with the clubs spare cap money to make the numbers up. As I stated in previous posts I hope that he's better than that and REAL competition for a place.

I agree he's not first choice at the moment, but, he's got more of a chance IMO than say Pomeroy and M Brown no disrespect to those two as they filled in and did a job

Depends whether you view your glass as half empty, or half full.

I doubt it unless Sammut didn't count on the Quota?

Just because the overseas quota is full doesn't mean we can't sign another half back, gentlemen.

The British game might not produce many John Woods anymore doesn't mean that the answer to our problems is always in Wollongong.

We seem happy to take a punt on forwards from outside SL or the French comp but never backs, yet i'd think the transition was easier.

Sammut is Maltese. He can also kick goals.

Don’t get the Sammir love in. Yes, he did well last season ( in the Championship) but would feel like a stop gap signing to me.

For 2019 I would prefer Sammut over Brown, simple as that.

What speaks something is the lack of Brown on merchandise promotion.
I've heard nothing but there might be some in in the rumours.

Why would London want to swap Sammut (apologies for earlier auto correct) for Brown? Why would Brown want to go?

As far as I know Sammut is out of contract at London, and they are yet to make any announcement on him, so would think negotiations are on going.

Why would Brown want to go? You’re a long time retired and maybe London would offer him a two year deal, something that I don’t think we will.

Obviously it would mean uprooting family (I’m sure his business could run in his absence) but plenty of people, especially sportsmen, move hundreds of miles for the right professional contract. The right contract for Brown right now would be one that kept him in the game, and gave him as much money as possible.

from what I saw of sammut a few moons ago he was too similar to Austin, in that he was off the cuff and didn't control a game.... having two similar players in a team may be very entertaining but Im not sure we'd win much....

I dont see anything else other than a Brown Austin partnership...