If he is that good, why are saints getting rid of him?

And if we want to be a top team, why are we taking their castoffs?

Saints aren't getting rid of him though. He's been offered one year and wants two.

Saints have a plethora of back rowers and are short at prop. They also have a fair few very promising young second rowers developing.

He's OOC so he's going to end up being top of the list to depart despiute them having other second rowers who are, IMO, not as good.

The more I think about it the more I'm warming to the idea. He's still a top player and he has much to offer us, especially when it comes to running good lines, pulling defences about and busting tackles.

The key to signing him is what does he give us a VALUE added player.

He is a good player but age counts against him, he will only be a short term signing. The problem is that signing established Stars costs Salary cap money.

If we can get him at the RIGHT price then i would be happy with him but if it means we have to keep Scully because we have no money left for a better prop i would say no.

We need a PROP and a quality half back plus possibly a hooker before we need another second row.

If we can get these three as well as Gilmour then good if not then i would regard the other positions as been a priority.


What this discussion does show is how much the club has come on that we can be having disagreements on whether we should be signing England and GB internationals.

Spot on DG

As for Raleigh becoming prop, he will need a season to get up to scratch there so cant count.

Raleigh has been a 2nd row cum prop for the past two seasons. He has always run like a prop when in possession. With his intelligence, I'd hope he will be at home almost immediately in the front row.

I suppose some of that will depend on whether we see Korky back here next season. ATM I still think Scully has it all on to prove he's worth a place with us next year, I don't think he's justified it yet and certainly not the rumoured £90k.

Aye, even if Raleigh does step up to prop, I think we need another one thats reliable if Jacko is off.

hope this is true

gilmour is a top top player and would be in my first choice team every week... got speed which our team lacks and a winning mentality

Our back row doesnt lack speed, far from it.

and again, why are we looking to take another teams cast offs if we are wanting to push to the top?

If he isnt good enough for Saints for 2 more years, why is he good enough for us for 2 years?

i think our team lacks pace compared to other teams and previous seasons.. need a jenson or a frew! we make lots of breaks but get caught far too often. D hodgson has lost his pace probably due to the knee injury and lost confidence to go for it! did it again down at harlequins

wild and kirmond are quick second rowers though

I think gilmour would get in any team in super league.. he will push us to the top where he has played for the most of his career

I was impressed how he played on Saturday against Wire. I suppose age is on his side but he can also bring allot of qualities to our ever improving side.

No one in our back row - or most other clubs back rows - can run the smart lines of Gilmour, nowhere near. Gilmour has excellent aceleration and change of direction.

the cast off description is meaningless. Is Brett a Wests cast off? Is Fa'alogo a Souths cast off? If so, give me more.Gilmour is a very good player. He can easily do 2 years and offers us new options.

You may be privvy to saints salary cap in 2010 and 2011. They may have contract up grades to cover in 2011. The whole idea of the cap is that some quality players have to move from the most successful clubs.

Fair points, I dont think he is needed, but if he comes I will support him.

I just think we are better off getting a player we need, rather than one that available.

That's exactly how i would sum it up pal

I know you will.

the way things have gone so far I am more than happy to trust NBs judgement.

Gilmour is the best backrower in SL by a mile. This is a great signing for you lot, and he is the only foward who can create his own space with footwork.

He has pace to burn, a superb defender, and the only reason he is leaving saints is the length of the contract offered, not his ability.

I know he is was 31 last month, but he is top fit, and almost 5 yeasrs younger than the Bulls best player, so age is no indicator of ability.

I think personally he'd be a great addition and does add pace to our line which for me we lack, how many times have our breaks not been turned into scores because we are lacking in pace.

good signing for me , we definately need more speed in the 2nd row if we are to progress, age to me doesnt matter , he is still top quality.

I am happy about this if it comes off. He is a great player and despite his age he is proven in every aspect of his game. He is a champion and I am sure he would add to our quality for 2 years. The only slight reserve I have is who may leave to make way given we also have Faalogo coming in. I would not mind Walsh heading off but would like to hang on to Patrick. For me in the pack we must tie down Wild and Crabtree for the rest of thier careers. It seems Fulton will leave and although I dont take any pleasure in saying it I would not miss Finnigan.

Players which we must keep in the pack are Wild (future captain), Crabtree, Raliegh, Faalogo, Kirmond, Mason and Griffin would be nice to keep but hard to ignore the rumours.

How long have we got Wild and Crabtree for before we need to sign them up again?

Scully can go for me as well!

I think both their current deals finish at the end of next season.

I think Gilmour would be a good signing for a couple of years. Definitely agree about his smart running and pace.

Wasn't there a rumour last season that we'd signed him (with Wild going in the opposite direction IIRC)?

I'd love to see Gilmour at the Giants. He may have seen his best years (at Wigan IMO) but he's a winner who's been there and done that. This is the kind of player we need in the ranks when it comes to play off games and Cup semi finals/Finals. He won't let the occasion get to him like some of our players tend to do in big games. He's still got good pace too, it was only this season on SKY I saw him round a centre and beat the cover to the corner.

If it's true that gilmour is on his way to giants next year then you have got a top class 2nd row.

He is well worth a 2 year deal. He is as fit as ever and not lost his pace so don't be put off by his age.

IMO he is best 2nd row at saints and should still be playing for England.

Just hope we offer him a new 2 yr deal.

Pete he is a Giant now.

If its confirmed it's a good signing for me as well. Always thought he was a good player who scores his fair share of tries and certainly looks to still have plenty to offer for next couple of years.

Tis confirmed in the Examiner today. Good signing for mine, offers a good strike option in the second row and a bit more cover at centre. As Nathan Brown says he's a player that knows how to win matches. Something I think we lack (yeah I know that sounds daft when we're in third having won 13 out of 20 games). I also think he will be useful in the development of Kirmond in the same way that I think Cudjoe has learned from Brett Hodgson and all our props have learned from paul Anderson.
plus if he's on our side he can't score against us like he always seems to do.