Unless the laws have changed again, part time Aussies have work permit issues. Skolars used to field a few southern hemisphere lads who were living / working in London. Then work permit rules changed and they had to qualify for a work permit to play pro RL if they played for Skolars or another professional side. You can do this if they are qualified but it certainly weakened Skolars recruitment pool. There's usually a few at Hammersmith Hill Hoists who could play League One but either don't fancy the travel or don't qualify for a work permit to play professional RL.

Wouldn't disagree with that other than RL may not have 10 years left full time.

Problem is, as a SL club we had something to sell to sponsors and fans....in 2006 for example there were 4k watching a side that had made the play offs....mclinden etc were good players and the club had a good feeling about it.
Now the stench of death hangs over a few dozen fans watching poor players and the prospect of a trip to the 2nd tier playoffs is in the balance because we can't beat part timers.....

...as for a merger with the skolars. Nobody with a grain of sanity would touch the club unless it's rid of Hughes. He doesn't make friends of "partners" and seems more adept at ruining relationships with landlords.