Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 24, 2024 1:13 pm  

MadDogg wrote:

We'd lose a lot of squad depth if Byrne, Cooper and Isa all leave. We'll probably bring in a second rower and give Harvie Hill a bigger role. Maybe Sam Walters will be used a little more in the front row.

Having said all that, there's been no confirmation that anyone's leaving aside from Hampshire. Fans have always assumed that Cooper and Isa will go as they'll be 36 next season but maybe there's a case to keep them if there are no clear alternatives. Cooper's been unlucky with head knocks this year and Isa's injury came about from a horrible tackle. I don't think there's any real evidence to say they wouldn't be real assets next year with some better luck on the injury front.

I noticed that Coops was with the playing group when the LLS was presented but he didn’t appear to be wearing club kit which I thought was strange.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 24, 2024 1:38 pm  

Zig wrote:

I noticed that Coops was with the playing group when the LLS was presented but he didn’t appear to be wearing club kit which I thought was strange.

i'm pretty sure the club announced earlier this year that Cooper and Isa werent being offered new deals for next season , and were free to speak to other clubs

front row we should be fine next season, as they are all still contracted for at least 1 season, so with Thompson, Havard, Dupree, Mago, Byrne, Hill, Chan, Eseh and Ellis (i know he's playing 13 at the minute)

2nd row we look a little light if we get injuries. Faz possibly in his last season in 2025, Junior and Walters, so we may look at someone to backup in the 2nd row if we have any cap available

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 24, 2024 2:09 pm  

Mark_P1973 wrote:

i'm pretty sure the club announced earlier this year that Cooper and Isa werent being offered new deals for next season , and were free to speak to other clubs

front row we should be fine next season, as they are all still contracted for at least 1 season, so with Thompson, Havard, Dupree, Mago, Byrne, Hill, Chan, Eseh and Ellis (i know he's playing 13 at the minute)

2nd row we look a little light if we get injuries. Faz possibly in his last season in 2025, Junior and Walters, so we may look at someone to backup in the 2nd row if we have any cap available

Maybe that's why the club might let Byrne good, lots of depth at prop, not as much in the backrow.

Byrne might want more gametime too, going from a back up to be a regular at Hull, would probably get a 3 year deal on decent money too.

Probably won't happen, but there are possible reasons why Wigan and Byrne are thinking about it.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 24, 2024 2:47 pm  

I've said for a while I think we need another second rower and could live with another prop going to help facilitate that. I'd probably rather that not be Byrne but he does need more minutes to help him progress and that is going to be difficult to come by here.