Just one relevant rumour from the Loopy page: Harlequins are after Joe Gray, apparently.

There's a big piece of nothing about Venter and Tiny. "If only he had been playing for Sarries last week we would have won", or something.

As for the final, they say Saints by 8 and Digger will make his 100th appearance - well done him.

Thought Gray to Quins was a done deal?

Jim wants the team built around a core of young english players. Dutsy Hare talks about developing local talent. Yet at same time, pragmatically the team needs to keep winning and that appears to mean limited action for the likes of Gray, Cannon etc. How do you square the circle of wanting young local lads to aspire to play for Saints, get brought into the SoR and then into the Academies and stick with their long-term ambition, but then not get a lot of game time and see temptation from afar?

as the A league is dysfunctional, you have to get out there, make the contacts with partners you trust, and get a meaninful loan system working- which saintsd have failed to do thus far.