Holroyd in for Donno and Ruan for Bentley at HKR. We need brawn.

It really is going to be hard not to get disrupted by bans as this season goes on - this could work against us up front (or give game time to Hudson / TNW)

Brierley also gets 1 game for the headshot on Croft.

That one I can live with clear contact with the head.

I'm sure Smith something on the lines that Hudson wont feature for the first team anytime soon.

We need a bit more size and go forward in the pack. Donaldson isn't a prop and has never made yards, and Bentley doesn't make dent in the defence either. I'd definitely look to Ruan and TNW if they are available. That pack against Salford felt a bit too similar to the worst of Agar's "middles" days....

In fairness our props made far more metres than Salfords.

Not sure Holroyd will be back for this one so it will be pretty similar on Thursday as the Salford game

He can't start again with Donaldson at prop surely.

want to bet?

Goudemand will start at prop and Mcdonell or Gannon will take Donaldsons spot

Imo

The big worry with the pack we've got is that it struggled against a very poor side.
Against a big powerful pack like Cats, Wire, even Hull (never mind Wigan and Saints) we could get steam rolled down the middle.
That will be those teams plan against us.
And we will be bemoaning lack of size and punch.
Good test on Thursday cos KR is a sizeable step up from Salford.

Did they struggle?

We made more metres missed fewer tackles, more line breaks etc.

We also won from a try from a prop forward.

We are a prop short there's no denying that, and I think we will lode the forward battle against some of the teams you mention, but once Holroyd is back I don't think we' will struggle as much as people think, and they certainly didn't struggle against Salford as is being portrayed.

Why. Did ok imho. Who would be better from what’s available and fit?

Goudemand in at prop and Gannon or McDonnell in for Donaldson

Agreed, I think we looked worse than we actually played due the constant stop / start nature of the game which lets face it was Salfords entire gameplan for Friday. Its hard to build momentum when the other team is cynically running in / flailing around on the ground and generally poophousing their way through a game. When we did have a settled period of possession we looked ok, clunky and still building the combinations but ok.

HKR for all their faults are very much an attacking team and with them being at home and riding the crest of a wave after dismantling FC they will / should be buoyed with confidence and give us a real game so I cant see them going for the same slowing down tactics.

TBF, they kicked us to death in this game last year and much will depend on the weather come Thursday night but it should be another electric atmosphere and hopefully a good game we can squeak.

Donaldson did ok at starting prop but we need more than just ok.

He should be used as an Ian Kirke style interchange, someone who is solid to come on and tighten up the team while the other props have a rest.