inside_man wrote:in theory, but maybe it would be best for the club and player if he had half a season + preseason to get back to playing rugby. can't expect him to come straight back in after 2 years out, plus that would mean having to leave space on the cap for him for the first half of the season.
Although Hock will be training hard I’d expect him to massively step it up with about 6 months of his ban left to run. I’m sure the club will be slipping him some fitness programmes on the sly to do as well.
Without being an expert at this sort of thing I wouldn’t think general fitness will be his problem more match fitness which he could build up with a few reserve games & 20 min inclusions in first team games as an impact prop.
The cap room will be the main problem but I’m sure after 2 years out of the game he’ll take what ever money is given to him for that first half of his first season back.