Miller, Fus, Newman, Mom, Handley, Croft, Frawley, Mik, Ackers, Lisone, Bentley, Martin, Smith; Sangare, Goudemand, O’Connor, Roberts.

Much has been made of Newman but really interesting to see how Mom and Handley pair up on the left hand side. Mom has pace and a pass on him; could be a good strike partnership those two.

I reckon Rohan will go with

Miller
Fusitu'a
Newman
Momirovski
Handley
Croft
Frawley
Oledzki
Ackers
Donaldson/ Goudemond
Goudemond/ Donaldson
Martin
Smith.

Subs
Bentley
O'Connor
Lisone
Sangare

Me personally I think Ruan deserves at least a bench spot has shown so good progression and offers us some punch in pack whether it's in the front row or back row. But I think he'll just miss out due too senior players getting first shots like a previous poster stated. I hope Lisone is actually 100% fit to play as well because it would be stupid imo to risk re injuring himself for the sake of a week or 2 it's round 1 so no unnecessary risks worth taken at all. Looking forward too game and the season finally starting though.

massive worry that we are no stronger in the pack than last season , hooker apart

Maybe but a lot depends on injuries, I doubt our 4 first choice props played more than a handful of games together last season with a late start for Mik and then Tet's health issue. Add to that Leeming walking, Martin playing in the centre, Smith and Gannon in the halves etc. A reasonable run of the inevitable injuries playing behind a hooker with some decent service and they may look a whole lot better.

My thoughts too. Hopeful that the likes of Ruan, TNW and Hudson will also provide greater depth.

I reckon so and whilst disappointing we don`t have the one barnstorming prop we crave for.
I feel Smith is more than happy to have the likes of the 3 you mentioned along with Goudemand and Donaldson as our backups.
Time will tell.

Our three quarter line looks extremely handy. Certainly on paper lots of potential. Not counting my chickens but expecting a comfortable victory

Agree. I don’t see the mongrel, size or consistency in our pack tbh. A possible positive is the younger pack members are a year older, and that may help as a prop. Having said that, can we still be sure that philosophy still applies ? Micky O is now 23 years old and under historical opinion should be moving slowly towards his peak years as a prop. I’m not sure sure I’ve seen a gradual increase in performance levels, only changes in body shape. The conventional wisdom used to be as you moved onto 10 pints a night instead of 5 or 6, the extra body weight made you harder to stop

Some of Sts success in recent seasons was down to having very good kick returns and making big yards or getting quick PTBs or both. With Miller able to cause problems running the ball back and big threequarters to take the second hit up if needed, we ought to be able to start sets better. Add that to a better structure and more control coming out of defence and hopefully our props won't be under so much pressure early every set.

At least I hope that's the plan, because individually none of our props consistently make enough yards. I like Ruan as a potential prop option as he has that size about him but is much more dynamic than Sangare, and TNW looks like he'll play above his weight. One thing's for sure though, even if our backs do start sets well, if we have both Donaldson and Goudemand in our prop rotation on a regular basis we look way too small up front. So fingers crossed one or both of Ruan and Hudson come on this season.

Fusitu'a won't be risked tomorrow from what I've been told hope he can get on pitch more than he's not this year otherwise massive questions will be asked why he was resigned.

Depressing to hear if true. You'd have to think they'll make a decision on him in the first third of the season and in order to extend or look attractive to other clubs he'll have to play. Seems like it's always a struggle, despite the obvious talent. Probably Roberts to the wing then.

I was thinking Olpherts on the wing but realised he`s not in the squad and is out injured for 3 to 4 weeks!

Serious question marks all the noise was that he was fit.
He appears to be on of those players who constantly picks up knocks. Great when he's fit but doesn't bode well for rest of season if true.

Small mercy's.