A tough start but hopefully it will force us to hit the ground running and not struggle as badly as last season.

I also notice that we have Catalans away, Magic Weekend and London away on consecutive weeks; a Friday night fixture after Easter; and for the third season in a row, we open and close with away matches. It's hardly the best draw for us in those respects.

I did have a look at something though having noticed that London play Catalans away in July - since Catalans joined SL London have had 1 June visit, 1 August visit, 1 September visit and 5 july visits. They take no fans so maybe that slot should go to teams that will take fans given decent weather. Just a thought.

At the time of the season we're playing both Bradford away and Catalans at home, yes, I would class them as easier fixtures. Why is it better to get off to a good start? Did we not do that in 2011 and a poor end to the year cost us our place in the play offs + Wembley?

I put the failure to make the play offs down to injuries and a small squad and without the good start to the season we would never have been in contention for them, we took 15 points out of a possible 20. As for the semi-final defeat it was Leeds we were playing and not a bottom end team and i was well pleased we pushed them so close, did the teams in the Grand Finals also have bad ends to their seasons losing out to them each year.

I used to consider Leeds to be our big rivals, but to be honest I think that Leeds do not consider either of us rivals.
I think for a big game to be a big game it needs to be felt fervently on both sides.
For me Wakey v Cas and vice versa are our big games and more should be made of them.

On a theme...