Never been on Southstander before?

It's the done thing.

Big step up for Ashton

The squad in full is:
1. Ashton Golding
2. Tom Briscoe
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Joel Moon
5. Ryan Hall
6. Danny McGuire
7. Rob Burrow
8. Keith Galloway
9. James Segeyaro
10. Adam Cuthbertson
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Carl Ablett
13. Stevie Ward
14. Liam Sutcliffe
15. Brett Delaney
16. Brad Singleton
17. Mitch Garbutt
18. Jimmy Keinhorst
19. Brett Ferres
20. Anthony Mullally
21. Josh Walters
22. Ash Handley
23. Jack Ormondroyd
24. Jordan Baldwinson
25. Jordan Lilley
26. Corey Aston
27. Cameron Smith
28. Mikolaj Oledzki
29. Josh Jordan-Roberts
30. Sam Hallas

Yes that's a big squad, but it lacks players in their prime. Unless we start to play more structured (i.e. The Wigan way where anyone can be thrown in as long as they stick to the system) then I think we will struggle again. Going into the season with the old game plan which heavily depends on our X factor players is going to be even harder unless our half backs find previous years' form and prove they're not too old, or have matured enough with the experience of last season and can step up. Finding good ball for those X factor players. Very surprised sutcliffe isn't no1 (which I would have been very happy with). He may still play there, but I felt he needed a pre season with the certainty of his position to gear up for a big season. Giving him that shirt would have helped that. I don't think being a utility player benefits him. And to finish, I think segeyaro is going to have so much responsibility on his shoulders. To me he will be the key to any sort of success next year.

Looks like the best ever squad assembled by the Rhinos to me....

It's nice to see the club put some faith in a youngster like Ashton, is that not what Mac cops a lot of flak for? Likewise I hope fans show some faith and don't call for Goldings head after one bad game.

I am interested to see if similar faith is shown in Sutty, who should get a chance to cement himself in a position, as well as one/some of the young forwards as I understand it Galloway is going to miss a chunk and someone will have to step up.

Corrected for accuracy.

I understand the players are back in training this week with the exception of the test players and Segayro and Moon who will return after Christmas.

Does that suggest those two have separate training programmes set up for them in Australia or are they just having an extended holiday?

A holiday probably, to give Segayaro more time to finalise an NRL deal & for Moon to overcome his homesickness.

Given that we now have a named squad of 30 players would it not make sense & have little impact on costs to operate a reserve side?
What is the impact of an increased first team squad on the salary cap?
I think I'm correct in saying that last season Wigan had 35 in their squad, with what numbers do other SL sides operate?

It makes sense imo, there should always be a reserve grade running within every SL club.

Resurrection of Friday night games. It might just catch on.

I see Golding has been given the number 1 shirt and is McDermott's preferred option for the position - Where does that leave Sutcliffe/Burrow?

To run a reserve side you need upwards of 40 players and a fixture every week to give those FT players match fitness - how many reserve sides are there?

Squad numbers and academy players all up to date.

what about keeping on some of the young 19/20 year olds who get binned off early as there is no more junior age groups beyond 19's? a mix of them and the fringe players, players returning from injuries and maybe introducing some of the younger lads to at times to get experience of playing against men under less pressure. It worked in the past...

The bigger point for me was how many games are they going to play?

If that is only 8-10 a year it isn't sufficient - how many other sides have reserve teams?

IMO the sport is crying out for an Alliance league or equivalent with games being played prior to first grade fixtures where applicable at least across the heartlands.

Think Wigan played 8 games spread over 23 weeks.

Agree with that

I wouldn't be surprised to see Sutcliffe starting at FB still. Maybe they have him lined up to take over the 6 or 7 shirt in 12 months time so have kept him at 14 for the time being.

Can't see him being out of the starting 13 so if Golding does start at FB then it'll be McGuire & Sutcliffe halves with Burrow on the bench and reverting to substitute hooker like he was in 2015.

Apparently so.

The squad doesn't inspire.

The half backs last year (via lots of different combinations) didn't do the job. Stuttered all year.

And that pack is average at best, with no real threat or decent second phase.

Leeds' three quarters are by far our strongest threat. But I don't think the halves are good enough to service them, that goes for the forwards too.

Can't see what this same squad can do that vastly different to get things back on track. Even with an improved injury run, can't see that being a significant difference maker.

Unless McGuire, Cuthbertson, Hall, Delaney, Singleton, Galloway all improve ten fold (all had poor seasons in 2015).

I used to enjoy going to the odd A/team reserve games, especially if one or two first team players turned out, usually coming back from long term injury.

I think Sutcliffe has earned his shot hopefully the coach will repay his versatility with a chance to cement his place in the side

Me too. There used to be a good turn out as well at many of the games. I like the idea of playing reserves before the first team games though.