I think, if we're a little light on props, we don't go with the 2nd hooker on bench. But otherwise that looks ok.
The other question is whether we go with a more experienced 2nd rower on the bench, or a less experienced prop - Bates. But that's a call for Jimmy to make.

Same old story with us a lot of injuries before the season has started, we are going to struggle at Leigh

Other excuses are available.

Team still looks handy Really, a lot of the squad is an unknown and how the coach will have the team playing. The club really has to start considering if Mr Ferguson is really going to happen.

While Bates might be a prop in the U19s I’d say he’s more of a backrower as he’s not the biggest. I think Mellor’s in front of him at the moment IMO.

The lack of Blythe and Baille leaves us with Purtell and Henry in the centres. I have worries about Henry’s defence there. Up front we’re not too bad but only have 3 bona fide props. I’d have Pitts coming on to play there off the bench and move Addy to hooker if O’Brien needs a breather:

1. Mullaney
2. Uaisele
3. Purtell
4. Henry
5. Williams
6. Gaskell
7. Siejka
8. Sidlow
9. O’Brien
10. Clough
11. Walker
12. Olbison
13. Addy
14. Walshaw
15. Tahraoui
16. Mellor
17. Pitts

The team mentioned above is still arguably better than the ones which beat Leeds and Wigan at the end of last year.

I agree that O'Brien should be used as an 80 min hooker for this game. If he needs a break/gets injured then Addy or Pitts can cover.

Load the bench with as many of our big guys as possible to help the 3 props.

I'd have most of the squad in front of Bates unless he's bulked up. May have all the heart in the world, but last season, he was way too small for a prop.

I'd say more likely Chev will have a stint in the front row with us having 3 props out. Plenty of back row cover to come in there. Your 17 probably isn't far off, I'd just more expect Chev to play prop with Pitts or Walshaw starting in the back row.

Edit:

Squad is as follows:

Henry, AoB, Sidlow, Mellor, Purtell, Walker, Ulugia, Addy, Williams, Uaisele, Siejka, Mullaney, Pitts, Gaskell, Walshaw, Clough, Shaw, Tahraoui, Olbison.

So I would line up as follows:

Mullaney
Uaisele
Purtell
Ulugia
Williams
Gaskell
Seijka
Sidlow
AoB
Clough
Olbison
Pitts
Addy

Tahraoui
Walker
Walshaw
Mellor

Henry and Shaw to miss out.

Squad is:

HEAD COACH James Lowes has named a 19-man squad for the first game of the 2015 season against Leigh Centurions.

The contest will get underway from 3.00pm at Leigh Sports Village.

The 19-man squad:
Adam Henry, Adam O’Brien, Adam Sidlow, Alex Mellor, Adrian Purtell, Chev Walker, Chris Ulugia, Danny Addy, Danny Williams, Etu Uaisele, Harry Siejka, Jake Mullaney, Jay Pitts, Lee Gaskell, Lucas Walshaw, Paul Clough, Ryan Shaw, Samir Tahraoui, Tom Olbison.

A really strong and skilful squad, even with injuries. Harry, Jake and lee will, I think, be key on Sunday in our ideas in offense.

Three decent sized props is two more than we had all last season [after the pre-season friendlies] so has to be regarded as an improvement.

There is a long session before the main part, so it's important to keep people injury free, keep everyone match fit and not to aggravate any injuries they may already have. To be fair, whilst clearly we are second favourites for the opener, I fancy the announced squad to pick up the points as the pressure from their fans is definitely going to be on Leigh after all the build up.

Not sure there's a clear favourite. I'd say most people are expecting a close game, and looks a strong squad you've put together.

Not ideal to have so many injuries before a competitive match has even begun but it will be a good test of our squad depth. If we can hold our own against a full strength Leigh side and put in a decent show than I will be happy enough on Sunday.

Clough and Sidlow are more than capable of doing long minutes for us on Sunday, but we'll need Samir to come on and make an impact in shorter spells.