Some interesting selections to ponder?

After due consideration

Mathers
Clare
Purtell
Welham
Williams
Gaskell
Addy
Sidlow
OB
Kavanagh
Ferguson
Olbison
Pitts

Blythe
Thomas
Mellor
Haggerty

No bench props

You're first 13 is probably more or less accurate, but I think you'll find that it will be Lauaki and Walker on the bench ahead of Blythe and one of Haggerty/Mellor

Clare
Caro
Welham
Purtell
Williams
Gaskell
Addy
Sidlow
AoB
Kavanagh
Olbison
Haggerty
Pitts

Lauaki
Walker
Ferguson
Halafihi/Blythe/Jacks/Thomas/Mellor

Can't decide on that last bench spot

Is clough injured?

Said he has surgery on is tonsils when being interviewed in Coral stand.

For me i'd like to go.

1. Thomas
2. Caro (Think he's JUST done a little more than Clare in friendlies, so deserves a shot)
3. Welham
4. Purtell
5. Williams
6. Gaskell
7. Jacks
8. Kavanagh
9. O'brien
10. Sidlow
11. Olbison
12. Ferguson
13. Addy

14. Mellor
15. Walker
16. Lauaki/Flemming
17. Pitts/Blythe/Haggerty

However i think Lowes will go.

1. Mathers
2. Caro
3. Welham
4. Purtell
5. Williams
6. Gaskell
7. Addy
8. Kavanagh
9. O'brien
10. Sidlow
11. Olbison
12. Ferguson
13. Mellor

14. Pitts
15. Blythe
16. Walker
17. Haggerty

Certainly plenty of options and there is no excuse for Lowes to be carrying passengers this year.

Yep, tonsil surgery.
Right now we have Clark, Clough, Crossley, Campbell and Mendieka out injured according to the t&a. Purtell hoping to play Sunday despite not playing in either friendly.

Walker gashed his hand versus Cas so may be out too.

Is Lauaki looking like a rugby player this season or just some big bloke that hangs around with rugby players?

He should be fitter than this time last year since he's had the benefit of a proper pre season.

I didn't think Lauaki went bad against Cas, but he certainly still doesn't look at the peak of physical fitness. With Clough, Crossley and Clark out though, I'd have him in the side. As much as I don't rate Mathers particularly, I do think he's our best choice at fullback. Thomas way too questionable defensively for my liking. I'm hoping Mathers tutoring Thomas will make him into a good player, but I'm not convinced he's there yet.

Assuming Welham, Williams, Purtell & Sidlow are back, and Jacks is available, I'd go with:

Mathers
Clare
Welham
Purtell
Williams
Gaskell
Addy
Kavanagh
O'Brien
Sidlow
Olbison
Pitts
Mellor
SUBS
Halafihi
Ferguson
2 of Haggerty, Walker & Lauaki


Kurt Haggerty can play prop as well as back row, so I can't decide which 2 of him, Lauaki and Walker I'd have on the bench. I'm not sure I've seen enough out of Walker to justify a place in the 17, especially since he's bound to be a penalty machine. Starting lineup picks itself for me at the moment though, only possible changes are starting Ferguson and putting one of the other back rows on the bench, and picking Caro ahead of one of the other wings. Personally, I think Clare & Williams are better players though.

(Edited to replace Jacks since it looks like he's off)

With current squad I'd be choosing the following:

1. Mathers
2. Clare
3. Purtell
4. Welham
5. Williams
6. Gaskell
7. Addy
8. Sidlow
9. O Brien
10. Kavannah
11. Olibison
12. Ferguson
13. Pitts

14. Haggerty
15. Lauaki
16. Mellor
17. Blythe

Jacks and Caprice are still trialists although I'd expect that to change by time the squads are officially announced on Thursday night (Jacks to stay, Caprice to go).

Cheers

Had this been last season, I would agree with that completely. The only thing making me doubt, is that Lauaki looked a bit better against Cas and lasted longer. Sure it was against kids, but he was still putting more effort in than he did in any game last season. Saw someone say he managed about 40 minutes, although I don't know how accurate that is, I didn't have a stopwatch on him.

Did he have a cardiac arrest afterwards?

If you can get the minutes out of Lauaki, he would be better than Walker. When Clough is fit, would either of them get into the 17?