I already have!!

I think Hadley may be the surprise return rather than Manu and Mini

Agree on Ellis as it is impossible to replace him but just glad AP managed to retain him within the club.

Watts for me is a miss currently but only as we have not brought anyone in to replace him but he is not impossible to replace. I think from what we've seen of Faraimo so far he will be as good as Fonua if not slightly better as he looks better defensively than Mahe was.

I would agree that we could use a world class prop but there aren't any that would come. There are half a dozen Fed trained players who would improve us and we aren't signing any of them.

So who then and when? Some people are saying this should be Minichello's last season so that's two big names/forwards to replace and there's a dearth of top English forwards available and whilst we'd have a quota spot available IF Minichello is released who might fill his boots?

Also with the improved offer on kelly (two seasons in a row) this restricts us even more unless he's used under the marquee rule.

So far Kelly hasn't done as well as last year, he might well want to go back to Australia for next season but presently would any team want him in their side on a big wedge, who would he oust or is it that a club might be in for him as an experienced backup? I just hope we aren't putting all our eggs into one basket which hampers our recruitment potential elsewhere where we currently have a fair few inexperienced players and some that are still a bit short of what's needed to replace outgoing/already gone players.

I think this is going to be a real conundrum for the club and they would be looking for a decision from Kelly sooner rather than later so we can decide who replaces him and where the cap money he/Watts (potentially Mini) frees up is going to be spent.

Kelly doesn't seem fully fit to me. He's certainly carrying a bit of timber. As you say we need a decision about a contract extension sooner rather than later so we can plan next season's recruitment.

We need a prop in the garbutt, cuthbertson or fifita mould. We won't replace watts like for like as he's fairly unique and we maybe don't need someone to do the minutes he did for us but maybe more of an impact player. Similar for the 2nd row for me. M

Agree with that. We need something different to what we already have.
Definitely need someone who offers impact rather than work rate.

Ikahihifo would be the one for me to go for if we have to spend money to replace Mini

I suppose we may have already got someone lined up for next year, the deadline for accepting/rejecting new contracts is May 1st.