League express say Leeds Rhinos have won the race to sign Callum McLelland from RU. Beaten off severla other SL clubs.

Does he kick goals?

Callum moved from Cas to RU last season for a decent fee.

Cas were open to taking him back as he’s highly rated by Powell. However, his agent met with Jon Wells and asked for the kind of money you’d expect to pay a proven SL player. Both us and Warrington told him where to go.

Really excellent prospect with all the stand off skills. Can put others into space and can go the length of the field to score himself. Was England RL junior captain and has since played for Scotland RU U/20s at fly half. I don’t think he kicks goals but has fair out of hand kicking game.

You were doing so well upto this point

McLellland was very highly rated by Powell and Pete Riding (who is now at Warrington). Harrison thought he could play on this to ask for silly money.

No doubt that he’s a very exciting young player. But he’s not in a position to demand the kind of money he was asking (yet). He also wouldn’t get near Gale or Trueman at the moment and at the age he’s at, with no reserve team, I’m not sure where he’d play other than on dual reg or loan.

The big difference is that both Cas and Warrington do not need another stand off. We are desperate for one. I think he started as a 7 so could cover both half back positions for us.

desperate for one? arent Lolohea and Myler going to be our halfs next year?

I certainly wouldn't want to bet everything on a kid who's never played first grade. But if he is good enough he'll get into the team, and this year has shown every team needs at least three who are capable there. This year we've had one and a bunch of numpties.

Warrington told him nothing of the sort, and were very very keen. Not heard on the Cas stance, so can’t comment.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's had better coaching in skills in RU than he would have if he'd stayed in RL. We used to be way ahead in basic skills as a sport, now I'm not so sure.

He learnt his basic skills in mini junior RU then joined Lock Lane around 13 and then Cas Academy. In RU the fly half is the key pivotal position so he will have good experience of game management. We needed cover at halfback and this lad can develop into a star of the near future