I thought the transfer window rule only applied in Super League.

Russell signed for a NRL club at 20 and played most of his career in SL, Walmsley has never played above Championship level. Maybe you and your eye for talent are right and all the professional coaches were wrong.

There's no transfer window between the NRL and SL, only between RFL affiliated clubs. They were free to approach him whenever they liked.

It does (well, RFL affiliated clubs) and that's why a clause would be bizarre. There was no need for us to be involved in negotiations.

He went over as a fullback, and he was an exciting prospect but he’s 31 and he hasn’t managed to secure regular first team rugby week in week out at any club in SL.

At 31 he’s as good as he ever is going to be, which outside a decent carry, isn’t very.

Walmsley is 26 and in his first year as a full time professional. He does have his faults however he’s only going to get better physically and as a player as he progresses in a full time environment.

Russell has a better carry than Walmsley undoubtedly but I don’t see any other area where he is superior.

Like I said I really hope the rumour isn’t true I don’t see any reason why we would go for him. I’m hopeful it’s simply a case of crossed wires that have grown as a rumour out of our links to Oliver Russell.

Completely agree with you jonh^. In terms of recruitment this might be our trickiest spot.

I remember talking to Matty Russell's old coach at Warrington (Russell will have been about 21 at the time), who said that his footwork was 'scary' and he'd be amazed if he didn't play for England. But he never really got any better. He's great at getting sets started, but that really is it.

He's almost the opposite style of winger to Walmsley (would be very happy to eat my words if you can find Walmsley's post-contact stats and they're anywhere near Olpherts or McGillvary, Trojan).

Walmsley's good under the high ball, class in open space and even better with a tight space to score in. Basically, he's Tom Johnstone playing at 50%. So for balance, next year I'd prefer a Thing on the Wing to skittle knackered defences coming off our own line, like McGillvary but consistently fit and with a few more years in him. Absolutely nothing wrong with Olpherts as back-up (and pushing to start), but I think we should go back into the market for another top winger (Mika Sivo, anyone?) And if that doesn't happen, Walmsley deserves a year to prove he can do it at the top level, but I think he'll prove too light, personally.

As bizarre as Leeds's clause with Jestin Harris?
Of course there was a clause, just like Tomkins had with Wigan, Its not unusual for a club to release a player early and negotiate a return clause

We didn't release him early though, he left his contract expired. Will Catalans have a clause with Johnstone and McMeeken? Huddersfield with Russell?

I think you'll find that he signed his contract whilst still under contract, the agreement is with the player and his agent not the club he's gone to, hence my reference to Jestin Harris

The Walmsley downing i do not get.McGillvary as played 7 games in 22 matches so to me as used Wakefield as a pay check .,so Olpherts is in the team on merit Come as a bit of a surprise the rugby we are playing under the Coaching was hoping for fast open rugby but gone down the root of a big big pack ,that is fine until they get injured then we have no plan B This post as nothing to do with the Bradford match