I don't think that actually fits with how smith thinks

Would be madness to throw him onto that game. We ain’t getting anything out of it anyway….

What good will yet another week of training do? He will need to put his big boy pants on and start the campaign at some point, so he may as well do it now.

Leave it another week and he will be up against a full strength Saints team still on a high from the WCC, and out to prove a point to the fans on their return to the Langtree Park.

Interesting to see Rohan mention both Newman and Bentley as possibles for the Saints game. They must be getting very close whether they make it or not. Oledski still not quite there apparently.

Nene will play I should imagine. Otherwise why declare him fit?

I think we need to remember how injures can effect players, he's coming back from a torn quad not just a little bump that made his miss 1 week of pre season. If Rohan was cautious with players coming back from long term injury I'd personally understand that imagine if Macdonald played this Friday and the muscle wasn't quite right he re-tears it he'd he out for another 3/ 4 months. Look whats happened in past with players returning from long term injury, Jack Walker, Stevie Ward, Harry Newman we don't need to risk players we're only in Round 2 of season not round 22. Saying all this I believe he'll play and is a major boost for our backline.

Whilst it is a valid point that a return to soon after injury can do more damage, I assume that the medical staff at Leeds know this and would not pass him as fit if he isn't ready to return.

He has been back training and also been under constant medical supervision and physiotherapy. You have to trust that the green light is correct at some point, so why not this week?

I see the medical experts are out on here again....

I think it is 3 failed HIA protocols before 18th man comes in to play

What's going on with the forum - no game thread for Hull FC?

Yes come on Admin, where's the game thread ? I see MacDonald is definitely playing tomorrow. Gives us some added size which will be much needed against a big team. I'm predicting Dwyer and Sutty will go well for FC tomorrow.. could be a close one

The main blessing for us is that Connor isn’t playing!

Fusitua out for 6-8 weeks. No Handley on Sunday and waiting for update on Nene.

Backline for Sunday??
Myler
Tindall/Roberts
Martin
Newman
Olpherts


*shudder

8 more weeks of Olpherts…shudders.