its a good start, i am looking forward to the new season but really wish the season would start a month later and even then CC for first couple of weeks then Super league mid march onwards.
Think we will go ok once we get going. Not a bad tome to play them as they have a new halfback combo and injuries i think we may sneak it and set our stall out, but we must get off to a good start and make them chase the game.

I reckon the supporters will need patience this year. If we'd got Ikahihifo over the line I'd have been more confident - but we didn't.

Lots of positive noises coming out of the camp, but then you would 100% expect that with a new season round the corner, new coach and some new high-profile signings.

Confidence is such a big thing in this sport and neither coach nor new-look Leeds team has a muscle memory of success yet. I also think with a lightweight-looking front row the heavy ground conditions in the early year may actually not suit us. It's also not the best conditions for open, running rugby generally - and that seems to be the intention of Leeds this year.

The reality is that we're still 2-3 players away from a top class side, and we have way too much resource in backrowers compared to any other position. If any of our new 3 overseas signings get an injury, we're immediately quite a bit weaker. Quite a few players remain under injury clouds and need to prove fitness in 2019.

There are plenty of positives, and I think the side starting 2019 is different enough to the one ending 2018 to expect a difference, but Furner doesn't have much latitude on getting his selections or tactics wrong.

Abletts confirmed hes still a few weeks away from being fit.

We went from where you finished last season to competing two finals the next season with a very average team so anything is possible! You's will deffo be in and around the top 4/5 this season with the names you have brought in.

Our team is likely to look something like this:

Ratchford

Lineham
Goodwin
Atkins
Charnley

Austin
Patton

Hill
Clark
Cooper
Clarke
Hughes
Murdoch-Massila

Walker
Philbin
Akualoa
Tasi

Question marks over who will play at Scrum Half now we've lost Brown. Could be as simple as Patton straight in or move Ratch to 7 and play Mamo at 1.


Hope its a good turn out in front of the cameras, decent K.O time on a Saturday so should be no excuses from both sets of fans. Safe trip over!

I`m going for a Warrington win by 12.
Hopefully it will be a good crowd but it being on Sky and Leeds United also on Sky might knock the crowd by a thousand or two.
I know there`s a fair bit of negativity around Patton mainly from his own supporters.
But whenever I`ve watched him he has always looked a pretty decent player.
Him and Austin in the halves should be a good combination.

It seems Ablett, Sutcliffe and Crosby will be missing for Saturday. Will Tom Briscoe be available?

Based on squad selections so far, I believe the team will be:-

1. Walker
2. Briscoe (Newman is Briscoe unfit)
3. Watkins
4. Hurrell
5. Handley
6. Lolohea
7. Myler
8. Oledzki
9. Parcell
10. Singleton
11. Ward
12. Ferres
13. Merrin

14. Dwyer
15. Cuthbertson
16. Peteru
17. JJB

Personally, I'd have Smith in ahead of JJB but suspect JJB will get the nod. The only other question will be which props start and which bench.

Looks about right. Agree with Smith over JJB at this point; it depends how well they've trained I suppose. I'm still not entirely convinced with two running hookers in the squad - for me Parcell should be able to play an effective 80 mins. If we have a centre injured, Ward can just about cover. If we get an outside back injured I'd be worried - again maybe prefer Smith on the bench as Tui can play wing or fullback if needed, Smith goes to SO... not really options JJB gives you.

Worry about our wings especially if Briscoe is out. Newman will get destroyed on the wing. Handley is so so.

This whole Handley thing is a disaster.

Needs shipping out asap.

Best accountants in the league at the every least.

‪Walker; Briscoe Watkins Hurrell Handley; Lolohea Myler; Cuthbertson Parcell Singleton; Ward Ferres; Merrin. Dwyer Cuthbertson Peteru JJB‬

Walker,
T Briscoe, Watkins, Hurrell, Golding,
Tui, Richie,
Cuthbertson, Parcell, Singleton,
Ward, Ferres,
Merrin.

Peteru, Oledzki, Cam Smith, Mullally/JJB