Good post. I know chairs and staff talk informally, but any quota rise is speculation until the vote later this month. Could be anywhere between 7 and 10, and different clubs have different reasons for voting for and against. Pros: Increase the overall standard of the league, potentially improve the England team by playing against more good players, give teams with weaker academies the chance to win more. Cons: Choke academy players' chances, lose touch with communities/civic pride, attract journeymen.

As you point out, we're at 7 even without Walmsley, who's the only one out of contract: Rodwell, Lino, Hamlin-Uele, Tevaga, Smoothy, Fa'atili, Nikotemo. 


When looking at signing and contract extensions I like to look at the big picture. Shaw, Atoni, Griffin and Hood won't be here. Walmsley, M Russell, Cozza and Croft are out of contract. Lingard and probably High will get promoted. So if you map out our 2026 squad with contracted players for a first 17 plus 13 in reserve, this is how it looks so far:


Jowitt
Johnstone
Pratt
Hall
?
Trueman
Lino
McMeeken
Smoothy
Hamlin-Uele
Vagana
Storton
Tevaga


Doyle
Rodwell
Fa'atili
Pitts


Rourke
Myers
Scott
?
Tchamambe
O Russell
Lawford
Lingard
Smith
?
Nikotemo
High?
?


So we've got clear gaps. Cozza will get a new deal. Mills is obviously working on a top class prop, which we need badly. But perhaps most crucial is a starting winger - which can only be Walmsley if the quota increases later this month. If that doesn't come through, do we throw money at a British or French winger to transfer? Do we keep Matty Russell and pray he stays fit? It's too early to promote Myers to a starting shirt.


That just leaves us with Croft, which seems like a no-brainer to me - great trainer, super-reliable, probably not that highly paid and buckets of enthusiasm. Yes, I'd rather have a weapon on the edge who scares teams every time they touch the ball. But Croft for me is the ultimate squad player. 


If we do get another quota spot, I'd use it on a winger, whether Walmsley or a big athletic unit from the NRL. I wouldn't be disappointed if we didn't renew Russell's deal - he's seriously targetable under the high ball and gets bundled into touch more often than finds space these days. I'd rather see Myers be first backup next year.

I agree - and when you put it like that it shows how light we are in the pack. Two props and a second rower for next season would do nicely. 

Hood on his way to Cas?!

That's how it goes, I'd have been more than happy if he'd stayed but only for another year. But you've no control when players leave and where they go.Hood will go well for them if he signs, but he's another year older and we know full well what he's capable of.

Wakefield Trinity star's prognosis unclear as boss gives concerning update

Wakefield Trinity star's prognosis unclear as boss gives concerning update

Losing TJ is a huge blow to getting in the 6 imo so I hope it’s not long. 


Losing the left edge of Pratt and TJ imo contributed to us losing at Hull. We lose a lot of metres, strong settled defence and experience on that wing. 


Is Russell injured again? I thought he’d be back in to be honest. 


At least Ollie back at centre will help somewhat.