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.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 24, 2024 5:54 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

Chan the project doesn’t seem to be working so extremely hard at this point to see him as a long term prospect.
Eseh loaned out twice and couldn’t get a game at Hull. I had high hopes of him but maybe he’s been found out? Hopefully he can and will kick on in 2025 but he will need another prop to exit to open the door for him.
I heard from a source that is usually pretty reliable that Byrne was going to Huddersfield.
Don’t get me wrong as we are still in a very enviable position but that can change quickly due to injury or monetary pressures from clubs actively seeking rare resources i.e. quality prop forwards.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 24, 2024 7:33 pm  

I had heard Cooper was going back to Wire, Isa was retiring and Byrne was potentially going Salford, not sure if any of that has been confirmed but if Byrne goes on top of Cooper and Isa I would like to hope we have cap space and I think signing a second rower would be the best way to go with Hill to step up and play more, Eseh to step in to Hills role and Walters to offer front row cover.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Sep 24, 2024 7:45 pm  

Byrne's drop-off has been quite drastic. He bossed the start of the WCC but since getting sent off on Good Friday he's been way off. Not sure if it's mental or physical (know he was carrying injuries last year) but it's a shame.