If your including Neil Jukes in your list of SL coaches? the Jury is still out on Neil's ability and certainly, many of NJs decisions last season were wrong, I believe!
Ryan Hampshire is 22 years old and IMO he is a halfback. Wane and Powell had Leuluai and Gale available to them who are both older and more experienced than Hampshire! Ryan Hampshire was never given enough chance at halfback at Leigh and I'm sure he will prove all the doubters wrong in the years to come. Its good luck Ryan from me, disappointed your future is not at Leigh!

Kevin Sinfield was indeed a great player, who could play in several positions very well and was particularly good at 13 (my old position also many years ago). He is however at 6’1” more than a couple of inches taller than Kurt Baptiste, and to be honest I actually think 5’9” is a little generous for Baptiste.
Baptiste has to my knowledge not played at 13 on a regular basis (though he has moved to that position during the odd game as injury or temporary game plan dictated it) and has been considered a specialist hooker by his previous clubs.
There is of course no set height or weight for a loose, but to play a player who has always been considered a hooker (and a bloody good un’ at that) at 13, when we have others that are better suited, would not be a smart move in my humble opinion....... and our coaches would never play a player out of his best position

From what I seen of training morts and hutchingson was running in the half’s

Fair comment V.L. Baptiste is a hooker but I'm sure we will see him and Mortimer in the pack over the course of the season, Drew Hutchinson (6'2 and nearly 15 stone)hopefully will be the regular scrum half.

Well he's no Rob Burrow is he



, believe DB was waxing lyrical over his behind doors performance against Warrington

Kirky, as with everyone I respect all opinions,and applaud you for having faith in McNally,I agree the try he scored against Salford was top drawer,however the bounce that day fell right for him the Salford defence opened up like the Red Sea,and the game was over at the time,admitted it still needed scoring but things sometime run perfect for you and this happened for Greg, just look at the Huddersfield game the previous season in th middle 8s it was nigh on perfect rugby that afternoon.
My point is we now need players who will not only get us to SL but keep us there,and I don't feel McNally was such a player,he scored some good tries and won't be short of offers from opposing Championship Clubs,as I said maybe Fev , Fax , even Swinton,I think we will see him back at the LSV this coming season.Take care Kirky, keep posting ,love reading yer posts and have a Merry Christmas.

Its a smaller squad than last season.I'm sure positional changes will be called upon again,through injury,disciplinary and lack of depth again.

I am concerned about the size of the squad,last season McNally and Clare were injured early doors and missed most of the season if we lose 2 early on this season we could be struggling again and having to bring in loan players

Put like that I guess a 5'9" loose is not such a stretch

Would the reserve team not cover such situations - or are we not having one now

It is truly amazing what you can pick up with your own eyes and ears isn't it.

There will be opportunities to add to the squad as and when quality becomes available. Similar to 2016 when the likes of Mitch Brown, Matty Dawson, Danny Tickle and Josh Drinkwater were all added just in time for the Middle 8's.

I am a big advocate of not recruiting, just for recruitment's sake.

What you saying Harold?

I am saying it can be an interesting exercise watching some of a training session whilst on your way in to Morrisons.

Team selections, positions, moves etc.

Well Charlie I love reading your posts too!
As this is the season of goodwill to all men/and women

lets wish everyone on here and all supporters (and haters) of Leigh RFLC a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Season!!

In fact it was a picture I seen not in person I’m to busy for watching training new signings is my forte

The reserve situation is a farce to start with. Until the game expands and invests heavily into youth and clear pathways are created,the battle is lost before you start. The game is continually going round in circles with no answer too youth.

Whilst I agree with your coments, again, does anybody know if we are running a reserves as it was stated that we would - and if so where are the players coming from because we are about 15 light

It was stated we would be running a reserves in a co-op with Salford, that was before Salford and Mr Beaumont lost his friend the good Doc from his position of head honcho at the AJ Bell, not heard anything since, and on tgat point I think "no news in this case is bad news"

As an aside anybody know if Leigh and SRD are runing the recipricol season ticket holder concessions this year, I enjoyed that last year went to Salford on 5 occasions.

To be fair not many teams seem to be bothering (Hull I believe the latest to pull the plug) - didn't seem to get many games last time we did it, don't think that would change much now, seems to be a lot of expense for little benefit

Saints have decided against a reserves this season as well. Seems like if we are to run a reserve team we will only have Wigan, Wakey, Fax, Keighley and Wire to play against.

we need to make SL teams to have reserve teams,youngsters need bringing through all the levels to get the skills needed to make SL players.The teams at present are just using the system by having players out on loan to other teams.Some money from wherever needs to be invested in the reserve league

We've been there before with licensing.We need new ideas,not failed ones.

If we not going all in with a academy team then I would not bother at all if the lads good enough they will get picked up off a bigger club if not it’s back to amateur rugby which will bolster the dropping numbers in the local sides