Yes IF there was anything in it then it wouldn't overly excite me. Lots of potential but very raw with some serious weaknesses in his game just now. I personally would prefer us to spend the off season working on a French-Field-Smith combo with Cust providing some variety at 9.

Assuming Bateman goes, you would ideally find a sizeable backrower from the southern hemisphere to replace him but the overseas quota is full. This may be where the Mago rumours are coming from but I personally would like to see how he goes in his 2nd year after a full off season (good to see him in the pre-season training pics earlier this week).

As I said Jon SC makes the signing of Brierley a bit of a it’s never going to happen. It will be interesting to see how Farrimond develops as currently I think both French and Smith are on long term contracts. Something at some point within the next two years will have to give or Farrimond will probably feel that he has to move on as for me he is an organising 7. It’s a nice position to be in and I’ve just got a feeling that Farrimond may just be one of those players who come along once in a generation. Currently for me Smith is the glue of the team and he could actually kick on and even improve his his all round game even further. Interesting times and I’m just going to enjoy the ride.

Have you seen much of Drachenberg? I’ve only seen him once and he looks a lad with lots of raw potential and hopefully could kick on as a future FB for us. He seems to be under the radar at the moment.

When Farrimond first played in the first team, everyone said, he's a 7 really, but he was actually played in a 'running 6' role, and wasn't too dusty about it. That said, I think Brierley is a decent player (and better than Hampshire), and would be happy to see him in the squad if we could fit him in.

Wakefield apparently after Makin. Didn’t see anything of him last year. Wonder if we’ll let him go

Matthew Shaw reckons it's a loan arrangement, got no issues with that.

I agree, I think that is a good result for all concerned.