I think Ferres will be a roadblock for Keinhorst (unfortunately), and Achurch (thankfully)

Long term, probably. However he's also a vast improvement on both IMO.

I still think Keinhorst will get plenty of game time over the course of what could be a very long season again if we go deep in the CC. He also offers great utility value too being able to cover in the three quarters. Regards Achurch, he will more than likely spend his last year doing the hokey cokey out of the treatment room unfortunately.

I must say Ferris being added to the already formidable Leeds team makes it look very strong. If there was a weakness for me it is that role that Ablett and JJB used to play when they were younger.

I will say, many are putting Mullally as the 5 prop or lower but having watched him at Wakefield last year I think you'll be surprised. He looks like a great prop to me and got steadily better every game he played with us. I'm not sure the Giants style suited him but I think the Leeds style will, and imho will be one of your starting props and a South Stand favourite.

I'd also add, if Keinhorst doesn't get game time with you, he can come back to Belle Vue on loan if he likes. We didn't see the best of him when he was there last time, we might as well let him have another go. He clearly has skills.

I think 5th in the pecking order is realistic though at the moment. The ones ahead of him (Cuthbertson, Garbutt, Singleton) all performed very well for us last year and obviously Galloway is a good experienced signing too. Because of the other comings and goings his signing has gone under the radar.

Mullaly will be at Belle Vue on a permanent deal come August anyway

Hunch or something you've heard?

For the first time in many years, Leeds have a pack which is not a settled group. In the space of one year we have lost kylie, JP, Bailey, kirke. These had been the 4 core props for 8 seasons. Also aiton gone, Sinfield gone as an option for LF and JJB hit with long injuries.

Whether by chance or design there is real scope for some of the younger players like mullalley and keinhorst to challenge for places as there is no set pecking order at present.
Falloon And Ferres are on one year deals, achurch and JJB in last year - so all should, be keen to impress.
We know Cuthbertson, Garbutt, Ablett, Singo, ward and Delaney will graft but they and Galloway will face genuine competition for places when all fit.

And who emerges as real pack leaders will also be interesting to see. Given all the changes and new faces and with Sutcliffe to come in at pivot plus loss of the artificial pitch to work on - it may take a bit of time before we see the best of this team in the middle of the park. Looking forward to seeing how it unfolds.

It looks to me as if both JJB and Achurch have been pushed a step further down in the 2nd Row hierarchy.

Given the number of props we have got I find it very unlikely that, as a previous poster put it, "expect to see JJB spending some time at prop".

Based on last season it looks more likely that Cuthbertson will be the loose forward until Ward is back to full fitness.

JJB is a great character and has been a great player but with his injury record and turning 35 during next season I wonder if he should be thinking about retiring. Keinhorst has a very similar build and can do a similar job but also cover centre.

Achurch has had a few chances and shown only glimpses perhaps we can let him go as well - Mullally is the same build and looks just as fast maybe we could have him as cover for prop and 2nd row?

Moving on to the halves.. Lilley has looked pretty good in his few games and his kicking is accurate - it will be interesting to see, especially before Sutcliffe gets back, how McGuire, Burrow & Falloon get on and whether Lilley might be a better ft than Burrow.

This is perhaps the key one for me. Everybody is going on about Sinfield and Peacock and how we replace them. Peacock, you don't replace like for like, we've gone for strength in depth in our props instead of one superhuman guy who did ridiclous amounts.

Sinfield/Sutcliffe. Of course he won't be able to give us what Sinfield did in terms of game management and leadership but he can offer other things that Sinfield couldn't in terms of speed and a better running game.

Aiton's departure has gone under the radar because of the 3 retirees but he in combination with Cuthbertson was a massive part of why we collected so many points in the opening 23 rounds and with us having more strength in depth in the forwards now even with Peacock's absence then a good season from Falloon is a must. If he can have as good or even better season than Aiton did in 2015 then we're looking good. If he's one of those overseas flops and it has a knock on effect on how well our forwards do then we might have some struggles.

I would like to see

Hardkaker
Hall moon Watkins Briscoe
Sutcliffe McGuire

Galloway Falloon Singleton
Ward / Ablett
Cuthbertson

Garbutt/ferres/, Burrow, one of jjb/Delaney / mullally

We all know JJB and Ward will take time to get fit, never mind back to best..I don't think throwing Ward in at 13 will help until he's sorted.

Delaney seemed to really struggle last year and must have been carrying injuries. It's up to him to earn a spot now but I think he will get the place until ward is back and then be fighting for it with jjb

That said I do hope Keinhorst and Mullally get a good amount of game time this year.
Keinhorst did well last year and was unfortunate to lose out to A church on selection .
Mullally seems to have gone unnoticed with little expected of him, it will be interesting to see if he can make people take notice.

Agree aiton was a key part of how well we played early part of last year in particular when crabbing right in an Ellery stylee and getting Watkins in space. Falloon looks good athlete - like others may need bit of time though. Thought aiton of 2015 was a fair bit better than the 2014 vintage.

I think there's plenty of game-time for the likes of Mullally Keinhorst and Baldwinson & imo we could release Achurch and we wouldn't notice his absence.

I think you may well see him gone next season to allow an increase in Ferres and others wages.
Maybe even mid-way through this if a Wakefield or a Salford are struggling with injuries and have any cap space.