i heard that dwyer will be fine for the opener and simply wasn't risked at fev,if so he will be on the bench
i would also give jack walker the start at full back as it is his position to lose
i hope that garbutt is ok as he is our big meter maker up front

Two more sleeps! I can't wait.

I for one am really looking forward to seeing this match. Should be a well fought contest and for me personally, it feels like the end of an era at Leeds. Very must like ourselves post-2005. Looking forward to seeing you rebuild over the next few years! See what other young talent comes through your ranks and hopefully keep consistent on the field too.

Indeed, touch wood we can manage the transition smoothly, while still remaining competitive.

yes , but we have been said to have been in transition since 2010

Referee: P Bentham‬
‪Touch Judges: L Moore, J Smith‬
‪Reserve Referee: N Woodward‬
‪Reserve Touch Judge: Andrew Smith‬
‪Video Referee: B Thaler‬
‪M Com: P Taberner‬
‪Time Keeper: F Hawley‬

Don't think we are in transition now. I think these last two years have been that, a tricky period between the Sinfield era ending and before this new one was ready to start with a core of young players who weren't quite ready to be leaders two years ago. We're got the core of a squad that can go ahead and challenge for the next 4/5 years at least with the odd tweaks (mostly backrow) as you go along.

The two years of McGuire captaincy will probably stand alone in the future either side of two different eras.

Hmm, can't see why. I know you lost Smith in 2010 but he came back that year. The only major transition you had from 2010-2011 was the coach and you gained some good players in Delaney etc. But as long as you had Peacock, McGuire, Burrow, Sinfield, Senior, JJB, in your side you were never really 'in transition' still had all the old guard. But they have gone gradually.

So in all respect, nothing like we had to deal with in 2005 but still gave you a chance to rebuild gradually as you lost players so hopefully the effect of the transition won't be too bad. But now you only have JJB left, still got Ablett and Delaney from what I would call 'the class Leeds team' but nothing compared to the likes of the ones I named above and JJB is on his way out. This is where your real transition happens now. And I for one hope you boys are still up there in the Top 2/4 especially after all the help you have given us over our turbulent years!

signing players like you said was part of the transition we also lost Donald too Senior followedin 2011 and the reason I said transition from 2010 was the fact that other people made that claim after the two fifth place finishes

Aye but losing Donald and Senior 7 years ago isn't half as bad as losing Peacock, McGuire, Sinfield, Burrow, Leuluai etc over the past two-three. Plus I think you did alright blooding Watkins in over a few years to take over from Senior as the strike centre and Donald being replaced by a mixture of Smith/BJB and now Briscoe well, you never really lost much and those players gave you stability too, plenty of tries to make up for Donald too. But I do see where you are coming from.

Aye but both times you finished 5th you were champions so god knows what those people were thinking. I genuinely think 2016 was the only 'bad' season you've had and you still had McGuire/Burrow/JJB the same that won 2017. I know Parcell had a lot to do with that too like. So it's good you have him tied down.

But things do look exciting for Leeds. Young prospects in Walker/Golding vying for Fullback. Very good young prop in Oledzki. And I'm not sure how good A.Sutcliffe and Newman are so can't comment but I can't see Smith or Jordan-Roberts being established first teamers from what I have seen. I'd like to see a good young Leeds half come through the ranks and be a quality player for you. I know the likes of Sinfield/McGuire/Burrow are once in a generation players and it was a pleasure watching my team play against them. Hated them at the time like haha.

19 man squad is pretty much as expected. Ward doesn't make it

Providing those picked are fit to play (namely Garvutt and Dwyer) then should be

Walker
Briscoe
Watkins
Sutcliffe
Hall
Moon
Myler
Garbutt
Parcell
Singleton
JJB
Ablett
Cuthbertson

Dwyer
Mullally
Peteru
Delaney

Golding and Ornondroyd round off the 19.