Last season the Leythers and many other teams had squad numbers so we knew who was who. However the season before it was basically swapping shirts for the majority of players each week. What will it be like this upcoming season and if it's gonna be squad numbers again who's wearing what?

AFAIK it's the same as last year in that it is squad numbers, they will be announced later this month at a soon to be announced event.

Thanks Fred. Looking forward to it. Will that be before or after the new kit reveal?

I do not like squad numbers, can i ask what benefit does the clubs or the game get from them?

Nothing it's just one of those things that have grown in the game. It's like asking what's the point of having numbers all together. It still has importance

Yes you may.

A lot of clubs have shirts for their players made to measure so they are skin tight.

Had numbers 1-17 still been in use then the clubs who do order such shirts for their players would have had to employ a seemstress to continually sew on different numbers on shirts when players are injured or suspended.

Finding a seemstress is not easy Stephen' for example when did you last bump into one ?

Due to this fact the cost of hiring a seemstress has soared and therefore the squad numbers system is seen as a cost saving measure.

Surprised you didn't know that. Quad erat demunstrandum as we say in my local.

Four rat demons stranded?

Nice one frank

Well it sounds like that just before closing time.

probably at the same event but I could be wrong


TBH do players numbers as per 1 - 13 mean anything anymore?
I would argue, not, for instance last nights England V France game Chris Hill wearing number 10 (old loose-side prop number) was packing down at 9 on defensive scrums, on defence the numbers 6 & 7 are often as not defending on the wing, all for the good? No but things are as they are fortunately/unfortunately depending on your point of view, as a purist no I personally dont like squad numbers but as above do the old numbering mean anything?

It's also for the young fans. When you have a star in any sport you want to have a shirt that makes you feel like them. Also good for shirt sales.

I don't buy into that either. In 2006 there were no silly squad numbers at Leigh. Just simple 1-13 week in, week out.

Sophie was 9 year old back in 2006 and absolutely adored Aaron Heremaia. She wanted ( and received) a number 7 replica shirt with his name on her replica shirt during that season.

Just as in previous seasons Turley wore the number 1 shirt, Woods the number 6 and Drummond the number 2 shirts respectively

So for me there is still plenty of commercial potential regardless of squad numbers or not.

Yes suppose you are right there. But it is great for the youngsters to have a number to look up to. Anyone up for a guess on who will wear which number next year? See who's right

number on shirts should be names or position numbers ie 1full back.2wing.3centre and so on much easier that way,what position is 23 or 19.

Remember Darren Abrams decision to number the players by alphabetical order to remove any perception they were part of a 1 st team and the ones outside the 17 were replacements, a correct decision IMO

I much prefer squad numbers. Dead easy to consult a list of numbers to identify an opposition player as who in the crowd has an accurate team list for 1-17 that day?!

It wouldn't surprise me if that becomes a trend at some point in the near future. But it could be just numbers 1-17 no higher.

You agreeing with LORD DA

theres a first .

As Fred pointed out times have moved, and so do the players, often see number 1 – full back, play at scrum half, or loose forward at an attacking scrum.



Disagree,

have the balls to pick your best team 1 – 17, those in the 17 need to fight to remain in the team knowing full well those outside the 17 are fighting for their place.





Agreed, I prefer squad numbers,

Opinions differ on this subject quite a lot, I can only commiserate with the kit man Frank and it must cost the club more to have squad numbers with names on as if a 1 - 17 jersey is ripped it can be replaced (within reason re size etc) quite easily certainly easier than numbers and names, plus we miss a sponsorship opportunity on the back of the shirt don't we?
Ahh well the arguments will continue I can see both sides personally I prefer 1 - 17 but Im a bit old fashioned (and admit it) re things like that even though nujmbers related to positions mean zilch these days (remember Briscoe at 7? and some people even think he played at scrum half

)

Scrap the numbers and just have names. Sorted.

Not really Charlie, I see an idea, any idea for what it is, not who's idea it is, some dont seem able to seperate the idea or the opinion from the person, as soon as they read an opinion that differs from their's then they assume any idea or opinion by that person is something it isnt , sometimes without actually taking the time to read and digest what has been written

Pretty much the reason I changed my opinion as previously I preferred 1-13.
Makes it much more easier to find who is who (especially if the PA is poor or you miss the teams being read out).

The squad numbers may NOT be announced on the shirt launch event which is the 29/5/2013.

I missed that by a few months.