Strange watching Russell. I kept wanting him to get his hands on the ball but he kept being the dummy runner (and usually a bit too early & flat). They actually scored from two moves where he was missed out. He is big and on the very few times he took the ball up he made a bit more ground than I thought he would. No crunching tackles but did make several tackles ... usually low. He actually popped up on the wing to score a try which was disallowed for being forward ... perhaps he was a bit flat again. Nothing to get everyone wild with excitement but I have been wrong before. Sam will need to shove a rocket up his rear end.

Yeah, i suppose we'll have to wait to see what he's like after a full pre-season with the coaches working with him, and some games under his belt. He's indeed a big dude so hopefully will develop under Burgess

In its simplest form, if you compare the team for 2025 c/w the team that started 2024, we have replaced Nicholson with Yates and Drinkwater with Hayes / Leyland. From what Sam Burgess has said, Russell has been brought in to give us 'options' in the second row.

The halfback situation is a bit 'wait and see' as it depends upon whether / how quickly Hayes can come back from a serious injury, but having Leyland there gives us a Plan B.

In the pack Fitzgibbon's fitness is clearly a concern. He only played in 17 out of 33 games last season (and failed to complete 2 of those), so we're going to need Holroyd et al.

Before the 2024 season started, we lost Kasiano. He's never been replaced, and we've missed not having a big interchange prop. Musgrove doesn't seem to punch his weight and whilst Yates, Philbin, Crowther and Holroyd all give 100%, our pack lacks a bit of size.

I'm not worried about our 3/4s. Lindop, Wrench and Taylor-Wray are there for backup and to put pressure on the incumbents.

In summary, I see us as being neither weaker, nor stronger, than at the start of 2024.

Maybe a little bit stronger as Lindop, Taylor-Wray, Holroyd were virtually unknown at this level.
Yates is a really good addition too.

Tend to agree, but are we strong enough? I don’t see us (or anyone) challenging Wigan based on our published squad for 2025. We’re probably in with a shout for second place but still have areas of weakness. Have other teams improved their squads more than us?

Kevin Turvey wrote:Have other teams improved their squads more than us? Here's the current list of 'ins and outs' from all the teams... https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/su ... -departure

Kevin Turvey wrote:Have other teams improved their squads more than us? Here's the current list of 'ins and outs' from all the teams... https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/su ... -departure

I know it’s been said a lot but we are missing a Patrick Mago type player. I’d feel a lot better if we had a bit more power upfront.

I don't think we are done with our business yet - I'd still expect to see a starting backrower added.

I think several teams will be better next year. Wigan will be outright favourites, Hull KR look stronger, Catalan look stronger, Saints can't be as bad next year surely? Wakey will be better than London and whilst Hull FC can't get any worse, I don't think they will be challenging top 6 based on their signings.

I think we need to improve just to stand still, but we still have cap space to do that I think. We're missing a great back rower and an impact prop. I'm not sure we will get the latter without some movement in the squad elsewhere.

Really hoping Lindop can kick on and be first choice centre next year, I don't think Tai is good enough to be a top 4 centre - though he is a very solid back up option.

I’m reading a couple of post saying we are not stronger for 2025.
I question this?!

Seemingly overlooking that we are going into a 2nd season under SB, with a team that he worked wonders with from near zero confidence from 2023.

This 2nd season will see progressed structural improvements and greater depth from our academy lads, the pick of 2024, who will have matured into another season, plus a new breed that will breakthrough we haven’t seen yet.

Simply just picking an outgoing player and comparing him to a replacement isn’t a complete measure of a 2024 squad to that of 2025.

I am quietly confident of a full good season, as Wire will not want to go into Vegas half baked.

Who am I kidding….
Wire to win the lot!!!!

Good old Duckie. In the words of Blackadder ... if all else fails you can't beat a bit of blind optimism.
Long may it continue.