Phuzzy wrote:
It's a sobering thought that, despite KR's assertion post forum that we'll have a really strong squad next year, we won't have a single international in the backs, halves or front row next year*
* Maybe Hardaker if he stays and gets picked, neither of which I'm convinced about at the current time
I’m not saying I don’t believe we only have 73k of cap space left but with that being the case you do have to ask questions about who is being paid over the odds because some players must be. There surely is a premium in a players contract for being an international level players, especially an England one and comparing us to Saints and Wire next season is pretty sobering on that score. I’d probably say there are regular international players and fringe ones. The regulars have probably been in most squads in the last few years and most match day 17’s and the fringe lads have been in some and not in others. The fact of they’ll be in future ones is irrelevant on how they’re being paid currently.
Wigan
Regular international-Bateman
Fringe international-Hardaker and Farrell
Wire
Regular International-Williams, Widdop, Ratchford, Clark and Hill (if still there)
Fringe international- Cooper, Currie, Jack Huges and Philbin.
Saints
Regular internationals-Makinson, Lomax, Roby and Walmsley.
Fringe internationals-Percival.
I’d say Saints and Wire have more players than us who are very close to that international level as well, such as Toby King and Morgan Knowles.
Looking at that Wire and Saints list and factoring in them adding in guys who won’t be on buttons next year like Matautia, Ollie Holmes, Hopoate and Sironen and we’ve clearly got some work to do on how we’re negotiating deals.