HI, Jamahl here. What a start to the year it’s been!

I’m just grateful to gain entry back into the UK, let alone play three times this year, and, yes, I was worried I wouldn’t get granted a visa.

With my suspicious past there may have been some skeletons in the closet that could have come to light.

But with my boyish good looks and charm I managed to convince the lovely people at the British High Commission that I was worthy of a visa.

With all the controversy over the visa situations within the Super League it’s been interesting the effect it’s having on some clubs.

We at the Giants haven’t felt it as much as other teams, only losing Todd Carney and myself arriving late.

But with Celtic Crusaders missing seven or eight players for an entire pre-season the effect on them is a big one as they have started the season poorly.

Leeds have been left a forward short without Greg Eastwood and Hull FC left without Mick Crocker. These players are quite influential.

Add to the mix Saints’ Francis Meli still waiting, Bradford missing out on Greg Bird and Catalans getting him, it’s all seeming like a bit of a merry-go-round!

Let’s face it, this will definitely give young English talent a chance to filter through and I can think of no greater way to ‘blood’ young English players.

But when you get the likes of world-class players coming to the UK and mixing with the young English, they pick up the good habits of being a professional sportsman, and the less the UK have of these players the less the quality will continue to grow.

I believe a good mix of English players and overseas talent will pave the way for more players from over here to go to Australia and be successful, such as Ellery Hanley, Adrian Morley and Gareth Ellis.

NOW in the Giants dressing rooms there has been some little things brought to my attention this year.

Scott Moore is clearly louder than me and Shaun Lunt (left) fancies himself as a male model!

My spies have been about while I’ve been away, and in the coming weeks I’ll have all the juice from behind the scenes of the Giants locker room ……… stay tuned!!!!