The much rumoured return of Jay Chapelhow is now official. I did not realise he left as long as 5 years ago, time flies. I always felt he was the better of the twins & did not deserve some of the criticism he got. He is definitely better than one or two props we have had over the last year or so.
He is now 30 & in his prime & I feel is a good addition to the squad. Of course we need another really big ball playing aggressive prop if not two plus a centre & wing. At least he is local lad & wants to play for us having come through our academy.
Welcome home Jay!
I beat you to it by 3 mins...
Unless he’s improved a lot in the last 5 years, I would have him down as a squad player. Not a big prop forward that we really need.
Don’t know if there are any available or any that we can afford, but it’s what we’ve been lacking for a few years.
@farnworth-viking agree regarding off the bench ..he has improved but I'd still want a prop in that's a starter alongside murray.... I'd add this to future comments that he's not good enough....were all wanting a better .. competitive squad then season just gone ...I'd compare him to bennion and Kirk ....he's night and day better then either of them ...doesn't use his size as much as some would like ....but neither did the other two who were bigger ...jay works far far harder..more mobile ...does bigger minutes ..carries far more ..so just in that it's an improvement...big question of course is who else comes in at front row ...
If we can get bibby to sign I’d say they are the 2 props coming off the bench. We’d all like to see another big aggressive prop to start with Murray. Maybe another country rugby league player from Australia could be on the cards to add to Maizen and Ozzy Mac
He is definitely an improvement on Bennion and Kirk.
Id argue from what I seen of Martyn Reilly he’s an improvement on him too
He's better than Bennion for me. I think at prop last season only Murray was any good. Hence why Riley, Kirk and Bennion have moved on.
I wouldn't count Bent and Mcquirter as props, more built for the back row. With Bailey also moving on without playing we definitely need 2 more props. Bibby could be one we are in negotiations with I assume.
We also need 1 second rower, possibly 2. Lloyd has retired, Condon hasn't signed for us or a SL side yet. With Langtree's injury record over the last 2 years I would personally add 2 second rows.
Wing definitely needed, at centre although we have Edge, Flemming and Owens, to move to the next level i feel we need a quality centre that can score and create but only worth adding if better than what we have.
Think he is an improvement on last seasons squad, but need 1 more big prop at least and a straight running centre - if bibby and that other back rower mooted sign I reckon that will be it for the season, dr with Leigh will help too
@7-vikingnomad We will have to sign a winger to replace Williams/Bennison. We can't go a full season with just Ince and Butt.
As far as winger goes I've said few times so will keep beating the Connor wynne drum...take advantage of fevs woes and make a move ..top player who also gives cover at centre and FB ..good size and very good scoring record (35 in 41)
At prop next season it looks to be
Lawton
Murray
Bent
Mcwhirter
Chapelhow
i know bent and Mcwhirter aren’t props but that’ll be it
maybe bibby if he doesn’t get a full time contract offer
At prop next season it looks to be
Lawton
Murray
Bent
Mcwhirter
Chapelhow
i know bent and Mcwhirter aren’t props but that’ll be it
maybe bibby if he doesn’t get a full time contract offer
Lawton is a 2nd rower and Mcwhirter and bet too light for prop. Only Chapelhow and Murray are props so i feel another 2 or 3 props required mate. The only saving grace Props are easier to get on loan from Super League if do not go with Warrington.
totally agree and also remember we have been playing bent there too !
we need at least one prop and a centre - wing, I think Fleming may end up there as Jack and Joe will be first choices
but we still lack strength in depth, a few injuries will decimate us
McWhirter is definitely more suited to back row but from his interview with James he’s a prop, just hope with a full pre-season (and additional big lads) he is able to make a transition to back row but not sure if he’s willing to and wants to stay a middle man