MattyB wrote:I'm surprised that the club have not yet officially announced the departure of Joe Burgess to Salford. The season is over so why the delay?

*You watch, the announcement will happen later today, happens all the time!

The pieman wrote:So where does that leave us now squad wise?

Lockers - retired
J. Burgess - Salford tbc
Wells - Salford
Escare - Salford?
Navarette -
Flower - Leigh
Hankinson - ?
Clark - ?
Woods - ?

I think G.Burgess could have a major impact on either our team or recruitment depending upon what happens. With him fit, we have him, Singleton, Bullock and Clubb as senior 1st team props, with a good crop of youngesters ready to replace them. If he isnt fit / isnt going to get fit, it gives the club a challenge as he is our marquee prop / leader of the pack, but not fitting the bill. i know the club cant just get rid as he is contracted but i am sure the conversations can be had? With regards to Clubb, he is in his final contracted year, and for me would be used purely as a rotation prop to give one of the others a rest if needed during the season, thus giving the young lads much more game time as they are all up to it.

if the names above are the only ones to leave, then it doesnt impact the 1st team squad too much as only Lockers, Flower and J. Burgess have really had any 1st team game this season, and all 3 of them have had their fair share of injuries. With Batemen and Field coming in, are we likely to see any further recruitment

Itchy Arsenal wrote:I think others to exit without any insider knowledge but purely based on estimated financial needs will be

Jake Shorrocks - I believe that he is out of contract. Not good enough.
Joe Greenwood - wouldn't be surprised if he goes to Leeds. No place in the 17 for me
George Burgess - assuming the new investor will help to pay him off
Amir Borough - just don't see where he fits in for 2021

Personally can't see anyone else coming into the squad which will leave us exposed in the three quarters and a very small pack.
Hastings and French will have negotiated huge contract increases which together with reduced Sky payments I think will severely reduce our potential to obtain anymore new bodies.
Think wherever possible we will play with 3 props on the bench and "make do" with the three quarters

LondonRobster wrote:Surely if these people are on the cap now and leave there will be the funds from their salaries to go out and get new blood. I know some of the younger players will get improved contracts, but there will be money to spend. How much, no idea, but a 3/4 and a prop.

I'm sure someone better than me can list who's in and who's gone or potentially going. From that I bet there is cap space. If we lose Burgess at prop as marquee we get 150k back for a start.

Itchy Arsenal wrote:Reduced Sky payments, Bateman together with improved terms for French and Hastings I suspect will be over £500k in reduced cash available versus 2020. You will also need to include extra cost of Havard's new contract before the standard increases for the young guys coming through the ranks.

I'd also be pretty amazed if we keep many of the reserve squad other than a handful such as Hanley McDonnell etc. With no games to play unless we can loan out players what's the point in keeping them unless they have any possibility of playing first team rugby

Egg Chasing wrote:We need an announcement. Someone should announce when we're going to have one

100% Warrior wrote:The distinct lack of announcements detailing announcements for important announcements is frustrating. IL and KR should hang their heads in shame keeping us fans hanging on for details about future announcements

Grimmy wrote:Has anyone seen Hastings in Wigan since the final? He or the club could easily quash any rumours of a u-turn with one short statement.

Blueblood wrote:That's rubbish read it properly