I emailed the RFL a week ago and haven't had a reply.

I think I asked a difficult question, since they either have to admit that they've changed the rules without telling anyone or that the information they've released previously is just plain wrong.

so what happens if a player becomes a British citizen?

look how long that took with Webster though

i'd rather we gave Moa a chance than waste months chasing after Visa's passports etc for months. We wasted loads of time building our squad with the Carvell, Dykes and Webster situations last season and that left us with Thorman!

He's still non-Fed trained unless he qualifies for the exemption.

From what I remember Kosh you were one of the Forum posters that was adament it was 6. As already linked there is evidence that is this case however it does make it confusing when radio pundits dont know and the Mail reporter and our Chief Exec say we have a spot.

I can only imagine there is some truth in the fact the club already know Manu is coming off.

Perhaps someone may get to ask him on wednesday KCFM

With a name like O'Meley, could there be an Irish passport issue here?

This ambiguity is textbook RFL. Shambolic.

Does that mean you are agreeing that their previous statement was how do I put this........................................Misleading

The limit is definitely 6, so the only explanation is that one of the 6 for next season is coming off the list somehow. The most likely suspect is Manu, although if the previously released information from the RFL is correct then we would somehow have to get him off the quota a year early.

So either the info from the RFL was wrong, or we've found a loophole and exploited it. I guess only time will tell.

IIRC wasn't there a rumour about Berrigan having German parents or something of the sorts. If so could this be the "loophole"?

It's never Dull at Hull.

Not on its own. Although if he got an EU passport he would be able to be considered for the Gene exemption. And that would depend on what counts as 'being in the English game' prior to Feb 2008.

Still non-fed and as a new signing, he's one of those with least chance of not counting (along with fellow Hibernian Fitzgibbon and the pointlessly - in terms of the new rules - Tongan Lauaki.)

If Manu comes off, which seems realistic, that leaves one spot. Berrigan and Cusack (also good Irish names), have might be coming off if the rule about waiting for renewal of contract has been relaxed. Is that the unannounced rule change people are hinting at? Mind they'd need EU passports - unless they've binned the 'old' quota.

I don't mind an insoluble riddle. That Leonard Shelby must be and cannot be Sammy Jankis, makes Memento an even more compelling film. Not sure it is a good principle for RFL to apply to reducing the number of overseas players in SL, though.

edit: Cusack just needs the passport, not the rule change, as he is on a new contract.

Berrigan is a German name can't you see that ?

Schaün von Berrigan.

Or they've completely confused themselves when looking at it.

Yes,I've managed to trace a Paddy O'Meley and Paddy Fitzgibbon.Still trying to track down a Paddy Luaki,might have to get back to you on that one.

i have an idea...............

right, if you are not born in the United Kingdom or unable to have a British passport, then you are classed as an overseas player. Each team can have 6 of these overseas players, no more, no exemptions, no special circumstances and no excuses! This will lead to no confusion, no loopholes and no dodging the rules!!

IS THAT EASY ENOUGH ???

No because EU legislation makes that illegal.

I really dont know where the club are getting there info from, the only thing i can think off is that the e-mail the RFL send me was slightly wrong and that Manu doesn't have to wait until the end of his current contract to become a federation trained player but this still doesn't explain how we would have another place if Motu doesn't re-sign.

I'll e-mail the RFL again but i'll send it straight to the guy who e-mailed me about the gene ruling, maybe i'll get a reply off this guy since he went to the trouble in replying in the first place.

no

Scnell von Berrigan.

So, hang on let's try again

If you're born in the EU and you are not a Tongan who's been playing here fewer years than your housemate (only if they're trained by the federation - or any other star-fleet) BUT you have a faintly Irish name (such as O'Schumacher) then and only then can you be called Stanley Gene (although you must be under 35 years of age).

Wait... that's wrong... if you're under 16...