Was listening to a podcast with Matt Shaw and Aaron Bower and mentioned the Kruise Leeming story. He's only going to the NRL for this season and both expect him to be back in SL next season.

I hope he's on our shopping list

A very far fetched story but I did hear we had/ still have genuine interest in signing him, with Houghton taking up a coaching roll at end of season.

I'll take it. Nailed on

Houghton does seem to be planning for his retirement - the players on Social Media were all sharing a company logo, so when I looked into it, its a resin company that has been set up by Houghton and a mate of his. Planning for life after Rugby! He also has a company set up with Jamie Shaul to do with properties

The club are supposedly trying to persuade Houghton to retire before the end of the season.

As much as I don't think we should've renewed his contract. A player like Houghton should go out on his terms.

Fully agree.

I know we bang on about ruthlessness and taking sentiments out of the equation, but even that seems a step too far. He has every right to see out his contract, and as a club legend (for as poor as he has been in recent times) he deserves a send off on his own terms come the end of the year.

To be honest I'm in two minds whilst on the one hand I agree that as he has contract he has a right to see this out yet on the other I can see the clubs position. Personally think Houghton should have been honest with himself and the club and not taken up the option of another year as he sadly is just not up to it anymore. Whoever at the club allowed the situation that an aging player had an option in their favour rather than the clubs in the first place wants to be removed from all further and future recruitment.

I was working on who was off contract in SL, I forgot Leeming (but would prefer Clark if possible, we certainly have the cap available that ST Helen’s and Warrington don’t).

Ashworth was supposed to be class but has stagnated a bit and hopefully a move will bring best out of him.

Issue with wheeler dealing is we have to have players the other team wants and most of our on contract players I’d want to keep around

I’m just not sure if we have the financial power to bring players over from NRL and reserve grade is a risk.

I’d actually be pretty happy with bell I think. Efficient player who st Helen’s fans like