Making merrin captain is fine with me but the idea that Watkins position in the team is under threat is the biggest load of tripe I have ever heard. He is the only player we have in the ball park of being world class

Merrin can be and is a leader without the title of captain.

But expected back by end of week.

Sadly, a family bereavement, and you won't need him v Workington, so thought they would have given him a little more time.

I cant see him being back so quick given the nature of the terrible event. All the best to Trents girlfriend and her family.

Terrible news.

The Mole saying he's not coming back. Which is what I already convinced mesen of.

Never wanted to come in first place.

I’m sorry to hear he has had a family bereavement.

Merrin has been our best forward by some distance, but he can’t win games on his own. If the rumours that he’s leaving are true we are in big trouble.

I wouldn't be surprised either. Whilst he may not have been making contact, I'll be surprised if NRL sides haven't approached him, particularly St George due to the de Bellin issues and the fact that he played for them before.

On the plus side, if it does happen it might shut some of the dressing room issues down if what has been said is correct (although I've no sympathy with many of our squad if they think they should earn more....), and potentially enable us to target the sort of players we need in the shorter term. Who that may be I have absolutely no idea.

Agreed, if any of our squad think they deserve to be paid equally to Hurrell or Merrin, they should be shipped out as soon as possible . Most of them are lucky to have a superleague contract on the last 18 month performances