One week today, we have yet another tough start to the season playing Warrington. Judging by McDermotts interviews today, it sounds like Ward, Ferres & Galloway are out of the game.

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

Dwyer Mullally Peteru Delaney/Keinhorst/Ormondroyd.

Walker
Briscoe Watkins Sutcliffe Hall - Will see how sutcliffe goes, but still not sold on his linking and defence -
Moon Myler
Garbutt Parcell Singleton
Ablett JJB
Cuthbertson

Dwyer Mullally Peteru Delaney/Keinhorst

Not sure if Peteru will get the nod first game up - Mac loves a little bit of Delaney, although maybe Mullally ends up missing out - Keinhorst offers utility, without no real cover in backs, Ablett is past his best playing in the backs.

Brisco and Watkins will be in for a tough night if Brown can hit Atkins at the end of the sets

Looking forward to the season to start!!

I reckon Sutcliffe's found his home in the centres. He'll not be displaced this year, barring injury.

Barring injuries spot on that for me with Jimmy and ormondroyd missing.

Delaney will be picked ahead of Keinhorst and Ormondroyd easily.

I would be tempted to pick Jimmy for his mobility in defence (especially if we don't have Ward), otherwise I think we will be too slow to deal with Clarke out of dummy half.

If Delaney is fit (lol) he will be in the 17 every week.

Unless he loses a leg he'll be in there every week.

Delaney is now a senior player I.E long service if he gets another contract he will probably be inline for a testimonial.All Depends on if he has a relatively injury free season

From a Wire point of view I guess we will line up as:

Ratchford
Lineham, Goodwin, Atkins, Russell
Brown, Roberts
Hill, Clark, Cooper
Currie, Hughes, BMM

Smith, J Philbin, G King, Westwood

Sita Akaoula and Dom Crosby probably missing at prop leaves us with a fairly lightweight looking bench

Price still seems unsure whether to play BMM at 13 or in the 2nd row.

Roberts has been recovering from surgery, is supposed to be fit for game 1 but has had no game time in the friendlies.

Should be a good game, and really looking forward to it - should give us a good indication of what to expect under the new regime.

I think the Melbourne game coming up will have some baring on team selection, he'll want to pick players who'll be in his 17 for that game to get them game time and can't see him picking Keinhorst over the experience of Delaney for that one (if Ward is back then Delaney possibly misses out then)

Good point, I suppose I havent seen too much of Peteru, but if they play JJB and Delaney there is probably no need for 5 props so they may well play Delaney and Ward for the Melbourne game.

When is Ferres back by the way?

Article other week

“This is embarrassing, but over two years I’ve probably trained no more than 50 times. Bear in mind we train every day, but I just couldn’t physically train, so I was sitting on a bike. It’s about getting my body right and the rugby will then come.”

Thankfully, things are now looking up for Ferres, who is aiming for a return to the field in March.

It probably explains why is 2 stone overweight.
On team selection I too would have Keinhorst in the 17 but can see why he will most likely go for Delaney due to his experience.
I am also in the minority by going for Golding at FB as I think his defensive skills are much better than Walkers.
And we have enough attacking players in other parts of the team in order to do without him.

We have certainly still to see the best of Ferres for us that's for sure.he hasn't had much luck regards fitness since arriving.at 31 he could still have a few good seasons left in him but you get the feeling this is a make or break year for him. He needs a good run from march and to shed the excess flab which i assume is still present.