There never was any exemption for players returning from RU. The exemption (that is still available) is for players who have never played competitive RL before to join a league side. Anyone with previous experience (Charnley, Eastmond, Barba etc) does not qualify.



The exemption means that 100% of their salary in the first year of their contract is not considered on the cap, 50% the following year, and then from year 3 onwards not eligible for any further exemptions. Clubs can also only have 2 such players at any given time.

There is an exemption for returning players, but they have to have been away for five years (I think?) and it's only a 50% salary exemption.

Quote Alffi_7="Alffi_7"There is an exemption for returning players, but they have to have been away for five years (I think?) and it's only a 50% salary exemption.'" I am happy to be proven wrong, but the only reference in this years rules (below) is the new talent pool allowance (5.13) which is as I described above. www.rugby-league.com/operational ... html#p=275 If its a new rule to next year, I can't find any news relating to it?

Quote Alffi_7="Alffi_7"There is an exemption for returning players, but they have to have been away for five years (I think?) and it's only a 50% salary exemption.'" I am happy to be proven wrong, but the only reference in this years rules (below) is the new talent pool allowance (5.13) which is as I described above. www.rugby-league.com/operational ... html#p=275 If its a new rule to next year, I can't find any news relating to it?

Quote Magic Superbeetle="Magic Superbeetle"I am happy to be proven wrong, but the only reference in this years rules (below) is the new talent pool allowance (5.13) which is as I described above. www.rugby-league.com/operational ... html#p=275 If its a new rule to next year, I can't find any news relating to it?'" Not sure where the operating rules are, but in the bbc article below. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/39506517 For a returning talent pool player, for example someone returning from rugby union, they must not have played rugby league for five years and in the first season their wage contributes only 50% towards the cap and 75% in a second season.

Quote Magic Superbeetle="Magic Superbeetle"I am happy to be proven wrong, but the only reference in this years rules (below) is the new talent pool allowance (5.13) which is as I described above. www.rugby-league.com/operational ... html#p=275 If its a new rule to next year, I can't find any news relating to it?'" Not sure where the operating rules are, but in the bbc article below. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/39506517 For a returning talent pool player, for example someone returning from rugby union, they must not have played rugby league for five years and in the first season their wage contributes only 50% towards the cap and 75% in a second season.

Quote Alffi_7="Alffi_7"Not sure where the operating rules are, but in the bbc article below. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/39506517 For a returning talent pool player, for example someone returning from rugby union, they must not have played rugby league for five years and in the first season their wage contributes only 50% towards the cap and 75% in a second season.'" Intriguing - the 2018 rules aren't out yet I cannot imagine that teams would find value in that (being away for 5 years and good enough to come back implies they have been somewhat successful, and in turn even 50% wages will be a big chunk), but interesting none the less.

Quote Alffi_7="Alffi_7"Not sure where the operating rules are, but in the bbc article below. www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/39506517 For a returning talent pool player, for example someone returning from rugby union, they must not have played rugby league for five years and in the first season their wage contributes only 50% towards the cap and 75% in a second season.'" Intriguing - the 2018 rules aren't out yet I cannot imagine that teams would find value in that (being away for 5 years and good enough to come back implies they have been somewhat successful, and in turn even 50% wages will be a big chunk), but interesting none the less.

Indeed, Eastmond is the obvious example, he would command £250k plus I imagine which would be a risky or a retuning player. Even with the 25% exemption in year two, he would be on more than the £175k marquee allowance. Huge risk for a returning player.

I don't think his ability to play RL again was ever a factor...you don't forget how to ride a bike.

There was a concern over his ankle.

Salford went public a few weeks after I heard he was on our radar saying they were out if the running follow medical advice.

With the 5 re-signings confirmed, our squad is now as follows....



1 Ratchford

2 Lineham

3 Atkins

4 Goodwin

5 Russell

6 Brown

7 Roberts

8 Hill

9 Clark

10 Cooper

11 Currie

12 BMM

13 Livett



14 Smith

15 Crosby

16 Akauola

17 Westwood



18 King G

19 King T

20 Hughes

21 Patton

22 Julien

23 Johnson

24 Philbin

25 Moran (I assume he's the 25th).



If we still had Hiku, that'd be done for me, but I still want another three quarter.

I think Baptiste will happen.

I woukd ideally want to see Russel as back up and not starting. Taylor Prell could be worth a chance or a new winger and if Baptiste signs too then all the better. That squad looks alright to me at this stage though, what a difference a month makes. I'd also retain Pomeroy, he has shown he can step in and quickly form an understanding with someone he's never played with before. Good cover in my opinion and another option better than Russel.

If Pomeroy is cheap enough I’d have him starting outside Goodwin.

Yeah I’d like to see pomeroy stay too. Was impressed when he played last year!

Ratchford

Lineham

Atkins

Goodwin

Russell

Roberts

Brown

Hill

Clark

Crosby

Currie

Murdoch-Masella

Livett



TBC

Akiwhatshisname

Cooper

Westwood

Same 13



Baptiste

Cooper

Akauola

Juilien

Looking at these starting line ups it has a feel of a team that will finish 5th to 8th, unless the new coaching set up enables it to overachieve and get higher.

I don't think there's a huge disparity between the top 8 based on talent within the squad. It all depends on how the coaches get them firing. Leeds, as champions don't necessarily look much stronger on paper.



I'll be interested to see if Castleford can maintain the blistering league form they showed with an average squad (if it's fair to call them that). Will the GF loss dent their confidence or change their strategy?



Whilst I don't see Warrington winning anything this year, a top four finish is quite possible. The biggest advantage we have is that we are an unknown quantity and not even the fans know what sort of rugby style we'll be playing or who the attack will revolve around.



I'm actually quite excited to see how we pan out with this clean slate. More so than last year, when I still felt the hangover of disappointment from the GF loss. I think the team did too when you look back at the pre-season games and the first league games. It was like we knew we couldn't win it whatever we did, and everyone had given up mentally.

I Think most would agree we significantly underachieved last year and finished 9th. The squad looks to be stronger in my view than 2017, so with fresh impetus from a new coaching team, i'm confident a top 4 finish is achievable.



That said Cas will be up there once more, and I can't see Wigan being as far off the pace in 2018. So along with Leeds, Hull & Saints, there are at least 6 with a good chance of top 4.

Still light in the backs, a couple more would be nice.

I'd like a prop because I've no confidence in Hill and/or Cooper to do a job at this time...

I hope more than anything else they both prove me wrong.

I can't see Cas making the top 4 to be honest. Hardaker will be a massive loss and I think them losing in the final the way they did will still hurt them immensely and I think they will still be suffering from a hangover from that. I expect us, Saints, Wigan and Leeds to make the top 4 in no particular order.

I think Hill has got progressively bigger of the past 3 or 4 seasons, and this last season, he looked to be carrying too much weight for me. What made him stand out was his agility for a big man, and good footwork before contact - for whatever reason that seemed to go missing last season - albeit I saw it more in his England performance. A vote of no confidence after 5 years exemplary performances is a little harsh....?



Cooper, I'm hoping an NRL coach gets him playing his NRL game, he was very highly thought of in the NRL so there's obviously something there - hopefully Price can bring that out of him again, wasn't he his coach at St George?



We have Hill, Cooper, Akouola, Crosby plus Philbin, Westwood and King (Moran?) I had thought a young prop from the championship may be useful, but that seems (Westwood aside) quite a youthful set of props with a max age of 29, so I'm questioning that now.



I think we may see a couple of Championship players coming in given the comments from KF on Henderson, A young back rower and a young three quarter from the championship would probably suit the squad make up, if we can bring in Baptiste.

Considering our recruitment can anyone explain why we should retain Jack Hughes?

Amazed nobody has Akouola in their starting 13. NRL standard, on the bench for a Super League side, coached by an Australian?



A good start to the season is essential, lose a few games and you’re out it after a few weeks. It’s too tough a format for anyone losing a few of the early games, heads drop, like with us last season.



And what about Castleford, will they go the same way as the last two LLS winners and finish in the bottom 4?

NRL standard? 21 appearances for Penrith in two years. He played 7 this year, not having looked i would expect many of them from the bench. Im not knocking the player, but he is basically a reserve grader (who may do well). However he has to prove himself to be considered starting 13.



Plus from the clips ive seen of him, he looks more of an impact player than a starting player.



#Edit#



In his 21 games at Penrith, started 1 game in 2016 in the 2nd Row. All the other 20 appearances were from the bench.



In his 3 years at West Tigers, he didnt play a single game in 2015. In 2013 he played 1 game from the bench. In 2014 he played 10 games, 2 from the bench, 4 from the 2nd Row and 4 as a winger.



Source [urlhttp://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/sitaleki-akauola/summary.html[/url

I think Crosby will have a big year, fits the modern day prop style of young and slightly more athletic.