I could be wrong but either way he should’ve left IMO. I also didn’t think Nicholson should’ve gone there for the same reasons but he might be ok, as they seem to have thrown the rest of the cap space in to other positions, so there might be no option but to play him.

Nicholson has been given a starting 13 shirt, clearly the plan when we signed him was for him to be first choice in 2023 - probably why he signed, he wouldn’t have had that with you guys.

We deserve plenty of stick for our development of young players over the past 20 years, but I’d argue Powell has given younger players more opportunities his first season than any other coach in that 20 year period.

As for Dean, Jury is still out for me, his form has been inconsistent when he has played. This deal with Fev should show if he has the makings of a SL half or not - although I think the club has ways closer on Leon Hayes in that regard.

Nicholson is quality, had we known then what we seem to know now in regards Bateman I’d be stunned if we would have let him go.

Life is often about timing but in that regards he was the one that got away.

We didn’t let him go, he was offered more by Wire and left, would we have offered more? Potentially but maybe not the reported amount Wire have.

He was under contract but had his path to first team blocked.

Losing Bateman as we seem to be destined to do would make the path less congested.

I believe the club would have done more to retain him had we known Bateman was going.

CC, what is the reported amount that Wire are paying Nicholson ?

heard 70K

50k is more accurate.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but at the moment for all his promise and a couple of cameos in the first team there is absolutley no guarantee he will make it , how many promising young players have struggled once they get into the first team. I hope he does (except when playing against us) as from an international point of view we will be needing second rowers going forward as many of the the current ones are towards the end of their careers.

We did not offer him a deal!