Southerner

Doesn’t look a good one on paper due to lack of experience but sometimes these type of appointments can surprise. I am sure he’ll get some help from Uncle Tony.

Elliot Whitehead top on decoy runs too!

I heard the commentator say Dom Young will be playing for Jamaica at the World Cup. From what I’ve seen his stamina is his biggest challenge. Often appeared out of breath and had some cramp issues with about 10 to go. Very we’ll taking try though and will continue to learn.

Baily Hodgson: “Newcastle is on the verge of debuting the nephew of Canberra hooker Josh Hodgson. The club has written 18-year-old Baily Hodgsonhas recovered from pre-season knee surgery and is now ready for selection. He is a fullback or can line up in the centres”.

Dom Young is back for NSW Cup after injury.

How did Dom get on?

He’s on the pitch!

Farnworth article - hopefully he’ll play tomorrow https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/english-eyes-brisbane-broncos-starlet-22096696

Whilst I agree that it's ultimately the players responsibility to perform, it's the coaches job to prepare the players, make the transfers and pick the right team. Peter Gentle has IMO done a dreadful job in all three of these areas. He's made a number of poor signings and has failed to get the best out of a decent squad which is, I assume, costing them right up to the salary cap. Adam Pearson should be apologising to the fans not for the poor showing but for continuing to persevere with a manager who is clearly not going to bring them the success that a big club like Hull FC need.

If we can get all those guys back who are 50-50 inc. clubb, sarginson, witt, cook and Robertson then we have a chance. It's a shame there's so many injuries especially when the Wigan stars are likely to return. Whatever happens broncos must chance their arm, plenty of offloads and play as if attack is their only defence.

That could mean 4 SL teams relegated in one season. That would certainly make the middle tier interesting along with the top tier for normal reasons but not sure of the significance of the third tier!

Cheers. That makes sense! So 4 teams from SL would be dragged into the middle tier along with the best 4 from the Championship, which would currently mean Broncos, Salford, Widnes, Castleford, Featherstone, Sheffield, Halifax and Leigh. So my next question is how would they decide promotion from this tier into SL for the following year ie surely it wouldn't be the top 4 would it?

Guys, I've just seen the Nigel Wood interview on Boots N All, which was interesting. I think it's clear that he's pushing for the three-8's, what I don't understand is what will happen to the clubs accumulated points once the leagues split into 3? (Sorry if this has been asked before). Will the clubs simply restart at zero or will their points be taken to the new league?

If its true what you say then its a shame not more Aussies are aware of the WC. However it's far more important that the British people are made aware of the tourno as we're the ones who'll be attending the matches, buying merchandise, helping increase UK viewing figures etc. This kind of promotion isn't a bad start with still 100 days to go. I hope they continue and build some momentum.

I actually think this is a clever idea. I've seen lots of updates on Facebook. I expect its raising awareness and interest at minimal expense. I'm pleasantly surprised at the concept.

Sinfield actually doesn't explain any of his bizarre points i.e. "Personally I like the proposed format and I think it addresses a lot of the issues that we have in the game at the moment". How Kevin? "The regular season will be similar to what we have now... but now the teams who consistently perform during the regular season can carry that advantage into the play offs". Kevin, this was exactly the current situation, this will not change with the new format. Potential new supporters and people looking in on SL must be very confused.

I'm not sure if the employment laws would allow such a rule but its a good idea. That's obviously how some clubs are spending beyond their means and this must surely be substantially accounting to their losses. If clubs weren't so shortsighted and gave more youngsters/championship players a run then they may not be making such losses! Hard to know for sure without seeing accounts of course.

This is a good idea but would players sign up to this agreement? It would surely have to be agreed across all the clubs to include the contract clause.

I don't know the figures but I am sure there's far less overseas players now than there were during P&R. It's taken some time but the licensing system worked in bringing through more homegrown players as clubs can afford to blood youngsters without the threat of relegation. Now we'll soon see a revert back to the panic buy of overseas players again. Clubs need to concentrate on improving their youth system and bringing through homegrown players rather than over spending on overseas players. The same panic buying happens in soccer due to relegation and then clubs are screwed financially as a result. Only have to look at QPR - if it wasn't for the cash cow they'd be done for like Portsmouth.

Almost more annoyingly we've currently only heard officially from Jon Wilkin where is our SL spokesperson? Wilkin stated that our player pool was too low to accommodate a 14 team league and that teams were forced to buy overseas and spend beyond their means - what a load of rubbish. London Broncos have brought through many homegrown Londoners and assuming they're relegated will now be lost to RU or the championship - these players will not suddenly be spread between the remaining SL teams. This move of P&R will more likely mean an increase in overseas players as clubs fear relegation. Such a poor interview makes our game look like a farce.

So the two relegated teams will almost certainly struggle to survive in the championship without the Sky money. I assume broncos will be relegated which means no London club and the negatives that move will bring. Each season the SL clubs panic buy overseas talent with the fear of relegation and the young homegrown talent are overlooked as a result. There will be the yoyo club(s) who will struggle to survive everytime they're relegated having gambled on staying in SL. Step backwards, but fair enough if the decision was taken for financial reasons and the overall good of the game. I am struggling to see the positives in this move. Sad day for Rugby League.

Wilkin. He best not be selected this year. Sinfield as well of course although he played ok last year.

Is it just me or is liam Farrell very overrated?

Completely agree. I'm not sure why so many people on here are against Atkins. He's been one of the best Centres England has produced in a while. Atkins and Senior for me.

For what it's worth I like the current system. Especially the fact that eight teams are involved, it gives the lesser like mine (Harlequins) something to play for right to the end of the season. Considering there's no longer relegation the eight team playoff system keeps fans and teams interested right the way through. How does the NRL system differ to SL?