[Winslade's Offload]

From all our youngsters I would say Dean is perhaps the most raw, and SO is a very exposed position where any coach might think twice before blooding him. So this is probably a very good move and will allow him far more game time than he could have expected with us.

Having said that, we are now down to a squad of only 28 players and 7 of them have played a total of 14 SL games between them. 21 senior players seems a very small core, especially if we have a bad year for injuries. However on the positive side nobody will be complaining that our Academy players didn't have an opportunity in 2021.

York have some very experienced super league players in their squad for him to play alongside. Worth backing at 8/1 to win the championship.

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

ooh, just seen morgan smith with a ruptured acl, leaves us looking a bit light in HB cover.

We can recall him at two weeks notice. In the meantime, Ratchford can cover.

Douglas Black wrote:

We can recall him at two weeks notice. In the meantime, Ratchford can cover.

Agreed, the 2 week recall makes it a decent option, assuming he gets decent game time there.

Ashton to full back and Ratchford to half back if we get an injury to Widdop / Austin.

I wonder if the other players who have gone out on loan have a similar option?

Good move into what should be a fairly competitive team this year.

In the event of 2 of Ratch, Austin & Widdop being injured, who would fill in at 6 for a fortnight? Currie maybe? Or Walker as a straight first receiver type of 6? Thinking about it, probably GI.

If it give Riley regular game time, this can only be a good thing. Hopefully, there will be a return to reserve rugby in the future which is desperately needed.

Riley started for York today in a friendly v Hull. York lost out 28-22 but Dean crossed for a try.