Nothing new however I’ve not heard anything to suggest anything has changed from the original agreement.

Cheers for the update.

He happily posed for photos with my daughters before the game who asked him when hes coming back to St Helens. Said he was now happy and settled in Aus but never say never!

hmmmmmmmmmm

Usually a sign that it's imminent.

I heard a few weeks ago that Thompson will definitely be back in super league next year as he has an immediate family member that is ill and doesn’t want to be on the other side of the world. I would hope we are in for him but can’t see it unless a few more forwards were to leave

That’s the problem, he’s an amazing player and 12 months ago I would have said move heaven and earth for him and take a risk on his concussion issues. The problem though is concussion is always going to get worse, once you start getting knocked out you become more susceptible to it, just look at boxers, even the toughest of chins once they get KO’d their punch resistance goes downhill. I also don’t think we are crying out for a prop anymore, I’m happy with what we have and unless one of our main 6 is leaving I don’t know if it’s the best way to spend what will be marquee money.

I think they sums up my feelings as well. The only way I could see it as a chance is if Bateman were to go and Thompson came in to play 13, with Smithies going in to the second row but that feels like a lot of messing about. I think what we need to do is to get more from our current props. We have 6 guys there and the performance levels between them has been varied. I don’t think there’s a single one of them we couldn’t get more from tbh. I’ve been happy enough with them all but certainly with the youngest 4, there’s plenty of steps they can take forward yet. If any of them need inspiration in terms of stepping up your game they could look at Matty Lees this past two weeks. I’ve called him out as being a solid defender, with no go forward. He ripped that up when needed in the play offs, in the absence of Walmsley and was superb. Matty Peet needs to drive them all via competition as well. A decision to pick all 6 in a match day 17 shouldn’t happen again for starters.

How long is Powell contracted for?

next season isn't it, sure he only got 2 seasons and this was his first

He’s contracted for the next 2 seasons, i very much doubt we will be signing another hooker in this time, especially with O’Neill emerging.

And Tom Forber coming through the system.