His wife is expecting over Christmas. One would assume that he wants the baby to be born in Australia, so he's waiting for the birth, then reporting to training in January. It was agreed with McClennan actually, McDermott is just honouring the agreement.

Fair enough you can't fault him for that, least mcshane will get a decent run out in a few of these frendlies,

Didn't Hood get more game time than McShane in last years preseason games? I seem to remember him appearing a lot. So you never know, might happen again.

Not sure to be honest, would like to see mcshane given a go but either way will give them both a chance to have a go.

Chris Clarkson won't be playing boxing day, he's out for six weeks

The squad in full ishttps://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/15600.phprl

WOW.

Thats the strongest line up for many a year

Yup. Me too.

That probably confirms the thinking for the start of the season proper....looks like BJB will have to wait a little longer for his overdue extended run at FB. Centre or wing it is then for him; FB only if Webb (and Smith ?) injured.

Isn't it just squad number order?

I doubt Burrow is playing centre.

Merry xmas Gotcha. ...Read the original post more carefully....namely the positions "confirmed"

Might be more inclined to take the 100 mile journey though if Burrow does play centre ...could be a good xmas chortle in the spirit of the festive season. Delaney playing there is almost as funny.

Quite. I mean, with the massive contribution Buderus has made to our success over the last 10 years he's entitled to rest on his laurels a little. His commitment can't be question. No, really.

Also it doesn't say anywhere that Cross will be playing Prop so I'm hoping to see him have a good run out on the wing.

Talk about pedantic Gotcha!! I don't think nantwichexile's post deserved that level of questioning even by your usual standards.

Nantwichexile was clearly just saying that from this squad, the general consensus would be Mac has a preference for Sinfield (rather than Webb) at 6. Thus the observation it could happen this way in SL also, meaning BJB would be missing out on playing an extended period at FB. Key words are PROBABLY and EXTENDED PERIOD AT FB.

Nowhere does Nantwichexile say BJB won't be playing FB this game, nor that Webb will be. Just simply that should Mac's preference for Sinfield at 6 continue into SL, BJB would PROBABLY miss out on an extended period at FB.

Perfectly legitimate comment.