Any examples or are we just making things up?

Like most of here have limited viewing of Alcock but as HFsaid he had a good world cup and played well on NRL debut. Some size about him too.

One thing it sounds like is that quota spots will be uses on two props, one backrower and a 7. So got to be looking at a domestic hooker or Houghton for one more year.

Wing is a bit of a concern, but the form of Mcintosh has made me feel a bit more confident, him on one wing and the other been fought out by Tindall, Litten, Barron and Martin.

I'd keep Mitch to if he salary is a low as rumoured.

Depending on Salfords (hopefully they'll be fine) situation I'd maybe have a look at Joe Burgess as a domestic winger, but as with a lot of Lancashire based players getting them to move over here might be an issue.

Alick certainly seems to tick all the boxes as looks to have size so on paper seems a good fit for the 2nd row option we need.

As others have said it’s looking likely our quota slots will be taken by forwards and a HB so can only assume that we will be keeping Houghton for another year or bringing in a non quota 9.

Certainly interesting to know who the rumoured 8 players are.
Wonder if Alick has always been a target and it’s taken until now for news of interest to get in to the media circles?

I'd definitely keep Houghton but if we sign a quota 7 we will still need another hooker.

I'd keep Mitch as well subject to he fitness.

I can only think the club are confident Balmforth can do a job there, will be 20 next year, has the size and will have played virtually a full season in the championship.

Interesting change of tactic from Smith, we seemed to going all out for an overseas hooker with Watson and now suddenly we seem to be not pursuing one using an overseas place.

So either Houghton has changed his mind or we have a UK hooker signed up. If we didn't I don't think we would do after another overseas prop.

I think you’re right about DH.

I wonder if we are still interested in Thomas Doyle which we were before he bizarrely signed for Keighley.

Could it possibly be that a U.K. hooker was always the preferred option regardless of Houghtons decision and Watson was an alternative in the non quota target didn’t pan out? This then possibly allows other pieces of the recruitment puzzle to fall in to place?

Still think we need another 9 even if Houghton signs another deal as can’t see us running with just Houghton/Balmforth next season based on the lack of game time Balmforth has been given in the first team so that would seem to be a bit of a gamble.

All just theory of course but plausible, maybe a bit of rope a dope going on

Interesting times indeed

Still can't see Powell staying at Wigan to be 3rd choice