Having watched the U20's last week, I reckon there's an opportunity to run possibly Holden & the prop Brookes in this fixture, especially with tough fixtures against 'Haven away & Donny at home to follow, both who had excellent wins at the weekend and will prove to be very tricky games.
I'm not a fan of these 3rd round games to be honest, but it's great for the game as a whole so long as everyone behaves themselves on such occassions & I certainly wouldn't want us to make wholesale changes to the team, will Saxton be available to play from his parent club & be subsequently cup-tied ? I'm sure Lee G will have plenty of knowledge on what's required to beat the Dockers through his Siddal links, and obviously we might have a couple of injuries that would benefit from a week off, maybe even some returning from injury who might make the side.

Thoughts anyone ?


I note that Fev Rovers were spawny enough to be one of the two sides given a bye into the next round, although listening to Camp Bastian on the radio on sunday teatime, he'd rather have his side play !

would like to see under 20's full back given a run

KH did say on Radio Leeds on Sunday there would be a chance to have a look at a couple of the younger players against the Dockers but no specific names were mentioned.

As you say it is a balance between changing too much whilst giving others a chance to show what they can do.

Brookes didn't look out of place in the pre season games and to keep him here he needs a run in the first team.

Dan Cowling needs a game if he is fit enough as does Rob which may have an effect on how many younger players get a run out.

Not sure on Tommy with the cup and Fev but just on him although he had a good game against Batley he looked to be blowing a bit at the end but not as much against the Eagles and with a couple more games under his belt he will get better.

I hope he decides to stay, come on Tommy you could do worse than finish your career at the Fax with a good couple of years for us, you know it makes sense!!

A squad size of ours some players need match minutes

Kain and hardman made their first appearances of season on sunday and some players like matty james, jamal chisholm and carlton roche have not featured much so far this season, add that to some of the younger fringe players that also deserve some gametime too and it soon becomes a missed opportunity

Also we arent making anything from the 3rd round either with no game - no food beer programmes etc sold though an attempt to make something by hosting normy knights game on saturday and skolars u20s on sunday

The bye quite frankly is the worst draw in the world for a top championship side

Bastion said has much on Radio Leeds not surprisingly.

Interesting comments in this weeks press concerning the heavy state of the pitch from him as well and the need to get it improved for the attacking rugby he wants to play.

He mentioned Widnes and their artificial surface as an option but the cost would be up £500,000.

With you mentioning Normy and Skolars ( he put it as being kind to the RFL and local community).

I didn't realise that there are a number of other teams playing on it over the year, good for some cash turnover but not so good for the playing surface.

Yeah i believe they are are looking into it, well certainly getting some information about these type of pitches, but certainly its a long way off at this stage

Time to give some of the fringe players and those coming back from injury a run out.What is up with Rettie at the moment?