According to reports, Featherstone Rovers were set to make some massive signings for 2024 being linked with the likes of Leeds Rhinos star Blake Austin and Castleford Tigers winger Greg Eden.
Neither of them arrived at Fev with Austin returning to Australia and Eden signing for Halifax Panthers instead. The Rovers have confirmed some major signings for next year but have also been forced to let go of 17 players for next year.
This is because the club were forced to almost half their playing squad budget which has created a problem with a reported shortage of players. However the club are now looking to address that.
“We have meetings every day and we are aware that we have some distance to travel. We came to the player market quite late in terms of switching from one aspiration to another if you like and I think it’s going to be an ongoing process,” Head Coach James Ford said to the Wakefield Express.
“We’ve partnered up with Hull KR and they will be of great benefit to us and the club’s got strong relationships throughout the game. We will continue to ask questions and see where we can improve our 17 and our squad.”
The club will have Josh Hardcastle in their squad for next year after he suffered a stroke last year.
“I’m extremely pleased to see Josh commit to the club, but more importantly, for Josh and his family to see him returning to fitness and good health,” said Rovers chief executive Martin Vickers.
“We will continue to give Josh all our support; we know what a valuable player he is in our team, a local lad who gives 100% every game, and we can’t wait to have him back playing at the Millennium Stadium.”
But who will be the players that the Rovers turn to sign to deal with the worries about squad depth going into the new season.
You could lay blame for this at the feet of IMG who in the eyes of Featherstone have closed the door to Super League for them. This is why they were so ambitious last year but have now been forced to stop spending. This has been reported to be around 50%.
Super League
Three loan signings Hull FC should make this season
