I don't see an issue in general with the pack. Garbutt has looked fantastic in the friendlies so far and Ablett, Delaney, Singleton, Ward and JJB (both when fit) are consistent and quality players. No doubt Cuthbertson will also be looking to build on a fantastic year, though I don't think he can be blamed if he doesn't quite reach the same heights as 2015. The addition of Ferres to the squad has really rounded us out and will give us the ability to set a platform for our extremely talented outside backs to run riot as well as being able to grind out a result if required. Peacock's retirement may be a blessing in disguise as McDermott now has more incentive to rotate our pack both during a game and throughout the season; it also means that opposing teams can't shut us down by targeting one player.

My major worry is in the hooking role. I'm sure we all remember how we struggled by Leeds standards in 2013 and 2014 and I believe it's no coincidence that our fantastic start to 2015 had a lot to do with Aiton being in the form of his life. Beau Falloon is an unknown quantity and if he fits into our free flowing and direct style it could be another very good year to be a Leeds fan. However if he struggles to adapt to Super league or suffers a long term injury we could see a return to the heads down zero flair style of 2014 which will win us plenty of games but will leave us short when the trophies are handed out.

It's quite simple for me;

Pack - easily the best in the comp - as long as Falloon settles (which I'm sure he will), he will bring more to the table than Aiton (who I was a big fan of).

Outside backs - 1 to 5 again easily the best in the comp

Halves - McGuire + Sutcliffe/Lilley/Burrow looks good enough for me and certainly not an area I see many other clubs having better options in.

However, as others have mentioned, Sinfields game management and kicking (both from hand and goal kicking) will clearly be missed.

The big risk for me is any injury to McGuire - I sometimes think people underestimate how important he is to this side. If we were to lose him for any stretch of time, I think we'll lose a hell of a lot of creativity - and additionally, something again I think people overlook, we'd miss him defensively - he's a very important cog on his edge in terms of timing/when to come in, when to shift out etc - it's an area of his game which is vastly underrated by most!!

While I agree with this I reckon it'd be possible to point to a certain player in any team and say the same. It's just one you have to keep fingers crossed doesn't happen. But I do think you've pinpointed the exact player in this Leeds team to which it most applies.

falloon is a more than adequate replacement for Aiton. Leeds hooker is probably the easiest job in SL, playing behind big metre munching props and offloading back rowers, all you have to do is make it to the PTB in time and pass accurately and you are suddenly a superstar. Falloon is more than capable and happy playing 80mins if necessary. That means not only do we have Sutcliffe and Mcguire, but Burrow as well covering the halves, and with Jordan Lilley stepping up and demanding playing time we are well covered at half.

With regards to the long kicking game, i think you might see Hardaker step up and take a few of those, he clearly has a boot on him and his goal kicking is improving, but his kick offs are as good if not better than Sinfields was. You would also hope that pack is able make some metres so we arent penned in too often anyway.

The only question for me is how Falloon fits in to a system where he will need to gel with a player like Burrow who will sometimes be at Dummy half, others at first receiver because they will, in my opinion, be often on the field at the same time.

I certainly wouldn't be averse to a spine of;

1 - Hardaker
6 - McGuire
7 - Burrow
9 - Falloon

Falloon is capable of big minutes and big defence in the middle of the park, which means McGuire and Burrow can have an edge each and we're not as exposed as when we had them two, plus Sinfield trying to avoid the middle of the pitch defensively. Burrow also has a decent long kicking game.

Could then carry Sutcliffe on the bench as a potential game changer.

I think i would still carry Burrow at sub, but he would possibly interchange with Sutcliffe rather than Falloon.

One thing that gets forgotten about Sinfield is just how good a defender he was, most halves were near the bottom of Sinfield was near the top, despite being a half and despite being in and out of the side last year, he was still our 8th best tackler last year so keeping Falloon on the field means he can take some of Sinfields defensive work.

One thing with our versatility is we can start with cuthbertson at 13, McGuire at half, Sutcliffe at stand off, Falloon at 9, and Burrow as interchange hooker. Then can move Cuthbertson forward to prop, have Falloon at 13 to defend, and Burrow at 9, or Sutcliffe to 13, and Burrow to the halves.

There's certainly plenty of options - I'd also probably keep Burrow as the super-sub.... Particularly if interchanges are dropping - more tired forwards in the middle of the park will suit Rob to the ground....

I'd definitely like to see Lilley get a fair few games too.

Agree with lot of these comments re depth and think garbutt could be a real handful.

Falloon may need bit of time to get in the groove of timing and picking the right option. Early days but still looked disjointed v USA. Seem to remember it took buderus a fairly long time to hit his straps and was better in 2nd year! Appreciate falloon on 1 year deal.

The only real concern about the pack is going to be consistency. With so many senior options and talented youngsters wanting to get their chance McD will have to manage rotation carefully.

Too much rotation and you lose momentum and consistency. Too little and you risk disquiet in the dressing room. Nice problem to have of course.

despite being man of steel i think hardaker will be even better this year, i said a while back that if he took over the kicking duties he has the potential to match sinfields points record
he adds another option for clearing kicks too as he has great height and length to his kicks

The main concerns for me are how Falloon and Galloway settle, undoubtedly they have great NRL pedigree but we've seen before with Ben Cross it doesn't always work that way.

Sinfield is without doubt the hardest to replace. His on and off field presence, all round kicking game and being a great captain make him near impossible to replace. The squad as a whole looks stronger but whether that gets converted on the pitch will be interesting to watch. Ferres is a huge huge signing for us and will help a great deal so hats off to GH and BM for getting that done.

Either way lets get behind the lads, give them all the support in the world and lets give them time. MOT.