Spot on. We've been the SL village idiot for far too long.

Could be down to salary cap not upgrading now.May have to wait until back end of next season when others coming off contract are not being renewed.

From what RS has said throughout the year he knows how good McDonnnell has been, my hope is that talks have already happened but maybe announcement held back.

They do like to trickle feed good news throughout the off season.

McDonnell has been good but I’d want him to back his form up for a bit this year. We are loaded in the back row and it’ll be interested to see which way we go. McDonnell, Bentley, Martin, Gannon all vying for two spots.

For me McDonnell and Martin start.

Sangare
Lisone
Hooker (likely Johnson but if a new 9 comes in JOC)
Goudemand (will cover 13 but also play elsewhere).

I don’t see us regularly carrying another back row on the bench when everyone is fit.

Martin is arguably best goal kicker in the league so always starts and plays mainly 80 minutes, but I suspect he will spell st centre with Roberts and Simpson for when Newman is inevitably injured or banned. McDonnell head and shoulders better than Bentley, Gannon needs time to develop a bit more after hardly playing last season, so comes of the bench. Bentley for me would be first choice 17, but I wouldn’t have resigned him full stop. Ruane in the mix as well we are stacked in back row

What's this guy like?

I think that's true but concussion is a bit of an occupational hazard for back rowers and these days the club is reluctant to rush them back. We might just be glad of that depth.

Not sure I would pair Newman and Handley together. Neither likes to stay in the defensive line. Always looking for the interception or to solve a problem that isn't there.

I really can't make my mind up on Newman. He is an exciting player to watch and has X-factor, which you can't really coach. We need players who can break a game and do something special at Leeds, and he is one.

On the other hand his arguing with Holroyd (not wise), referees and fans drives me crazy. That attitude stinks, even if I've heard RS try to spin it.

He really hasn't done enough in the game by a country mile to be as cocky as he seems to be - and if he had contributed more he should be humble about it like previous greats have been. RS says the squad loves Harry and this and that but... if he was chelping off at me on the pitch like he seems to enjoy, I'd not be taking it.

Feel the same. Undoubtedly an incredible talent and a proper game-changer but that part of his game is getting worse and I have a feeling if we don't take active steps to teach him to rein it in, or channel it into his performance instead that it's going to be his undoing. All the positive spin we've had on it 'He wants to win', 'at least he cares' etc are valid but what separates kids from pros is the pros take that anger and frustration and turn it into performance. All this back chat and stropping always end up being detrimental. Opposition will just wind him up and he'll lose his head. People don't go out to wind up the players who'll take that and turn it into game-winning moments imho