How’s everyone’s team looking for next year?
Barring any injuries, our team looks very strong and stacked. I know we could make one more signing and have more departures but the team picks itself.
1. Field
2. Miski
3. Keighran
4. Wardle
5. Marshall
6. French
7. Smith
8. Havard
9. Leeming
10. Byrne
11. Walters
12. Farrell
13. Smithies

14. O’Neill
15. Ellis
16. Dupree
17. Cooper/Mago

Isa, Nsemba, Hill, Shorrocks, Chan, Eckersley, Forber, Astley, Makin, Douglas all backing up.
Still question marks over Thornley, Cust and Hampshire.

Lets get this season out the way first. If we do this now what will we do in the off season

Very happy with that in most respects, but depth in the backs is a real worry unless they think the likes of Eckersley, Douglas etc. are ready for a decent amount of first team action.

If we don't keep Hampshire, I think we'll sign somebody as cover in the backs, much in the way we did with Hampshire himself or Thornley. I just don't see the club going in to a full season with only kids yet to debut as back up.

Does Leeming start or O'Neill? Personally, I think O'Neill is the better player and i am struggling to understand the Leeming signing, especially on a 4 year deal

Suppose we need to see how it pans out

Hopefully them switching mid game will kill off teams with Leemings running game. Hopefully give the our lads extra bit of energy as well. I imagine Peet had a discussion with him and outlined what he wanted from him

I kinda agree. It does seem a bit much. But like you say, we'll have to wait and see.

Leeming is a decent player on his day but I'm also puzzled by the signing. Forber has massive potential and this could block his progress.O'Neil is fast becoming a key player for us too so don't see the need for Leeming on a 4 year deal.

Next season unless something changes we will have 4 hookers in a squad of say 36 which seems ott to me.
I’m with you regarding Forber and my worry is that when his contract expires he will be off and more than likely to Saints.
People keep suggesting that Powell is off to Leeds or Leigh but I think that he contracted up to 2024?
I just don’t understand the Leeming situation but maybe there are announcements still to be made about our hooking roster or possibly further exits from the squad e.g Smithies?

Some serious depth in our squad, I’ve never seen one with so many options.
Full Backs:
Field, French, Hampshire.

Wingers:
Miski, Marshall, French, Field, Douglas, Eckersley.

Centres:
Wardle, Keighran, Eckersley, Isa, Thornley?

Halves:
Smith, French, Hampshire, Field, Farrimond, Shorrocks?

Props:
Dupree, Thompson, Ellis, Havard, Byrne, Mago, Cooper, Walters, Chan, Eseh, Hill, Makin.

Hookers:
O’Neill, Leeming, Powell? Forber.

Second Rowers:
L. Farrell, Walters, Isa, Nsemba, Shorrocks? Beardsworth.

Loose Forward:
O’Neill, Thompson, Havard, Ellis, Powell?O. Farrell? Shorrocks?

We’ll see some exits yet and then have a better idea of where we stand. The main thing I’m happy with is that Eckersley and Douglas will move up a spot and they should make their debuts in 2024. With a young back, the main thing you want to see is that they have a strong team to come in to and plenty of protection alongside them from a big/dominant pack and it seems impossible for them not to have that.

I don’t see us having Powell, Thornley or Shorrocks next year adding to the departures we are already aware of.

I also have a feeling Hill, Eseh and possibly Chan will spend much of 2024 at either top Championship teams or mid/lower table SL teams.