Interesting to see Connor tweet that Sykes "has been ill recently" and that since this was only his first game back some of the negative comment (he was replying to a twitterer who had tweeted such - is that the correct wording?) was a bit unfair.

Just out of interest - who will be kicking for you this year? Fantasy team issue.

andy lynch

Looks like its Ah Vans to lose atm.

I imagine Briggs & Herbert will be next in line.

Kearney

Ainscough
Ah Van
Walker
Platt

Briggs
Herbert

Lynch
Diskin
Hargreaves
Elima
Whitehead
Langley

Scruton
L'Estrange
Royston
Kopczak/Sibbit

Although I can't see Raynor being signed unless he's going to play. Also, I see Scruton as senior to Hargreaves but more suited to coming on.

I would rather have Addy or Donaldson than Royston, but he is capable of covering most of the back line and putting in a shift at loose, so that we can move Langley/Elima up front if we only play three props.

He'd only be picked ahead of Ainscough & Halley really. Platt, Raynor& Ah Van are in my 17.

Finigan played really well yesterday & his defence is better than Ainscough's imo. I'm excited to see Ainscough play too, but I want to see more of Finigan after his impressive start last year which continued into this friendly.

i think the threequarters are the toughest to choose from at moment. Id probably say that ah van and raynor are only shoe ins. then its between platt and walker for centre (both good trainers from what im gathering as well. Then dependant on ah van at centre or wing, sykes if wing, and probably ainscough if ah van at centre. Forgetting defense for the moment i would like to see ainscough,platt,ah van and rayner but that has frailties and leaves out walker,sykes,halley,crookes and finnegan.

Probably be kearney,ahvan,sykes,walker,rayner,briggs,herbert,lynch,disco,hargreaves,elima,whitehead,langley for wakey i expect.

Oh and Bullschamps .... who would you expect to be more consistent the 20year old who has had little exposure and been gradually given an oppurtunity or the 18 year old we heard an awful lot about and moved away from family and home at 16, think you need to remember that some players come through quicker. I would say donno has come along well at this stage, there are flashes of brilliance with him and elliot is amazing and imagine in 3 years time if we can put a back row out of langers,whitehead,donno, and bateman?? along with addy and olbison as reserve? we have to be patient and all time i have read your comments the one thing you show is a need for now now now with childlike impishness. Slow it down keep your passion and enjoy the show!!

Not sure about Platt on wing. Only seen him there once (which admittedly isn't really enough to judge) but he was poor, and I think his best position is now centre.

Well either way we have a very good starting 17

I would say more 'solid' than very good. Herbert and Briggs is still a big unknown and the back line is not exactly settled. If Walker is back to near his best then it has real strike power but if he isn't then do we really have a genuine weapon in the centres. Platt and Sykes are workmanlike, some would say Sykes isn't even that good. The wing options look hugely improved but to be fair that wouldn't be hard.

The pack looks bigger and stronger with a good group of young players in support but it'd be a fine achievement by Potter to take this squad to 6th place I feel.

Agree with everything you say, there does seem to be more options going forward but for Mick a key area would be last seasons 700 points against us. so a bigger stronger pack and just generally more solid fits the bill for "Re-bulled" Year 1. If the squad can get to break even on points difference over the season then we will be in the playoffs. Its a three year project IMO. By Year 3 there will be a good core of the current younger players both forwards and backs that will have played and trained together for years and can do all the moves in their sleep.

Sorting the forwards out is always the most important thing and Potter has done that.

Yes I would always start with defence and therefore the forwards front and back, but we only scored 500 points last year, so its not surprising most of the discussion is around the backs, half or otherwise. On which subject Clinton Toopi is off contract, yes, another ex Leeds rugby union convert reconverted

1. BK
2. Ainscough
3. Walker
4. Platt
5. Ah Van
6. Briggs
7. Herbert
8. Scruton
9. Diskin
10. Lynch
11. Whitehead
12. Langley (much more attacking threat in second row)
13. Donaldson/Royston

14. LeStrange
15. Hargreaves
16. Kopczak
17. Elima

Sort of on this subject, it was interesting to hear the thoughts from various Bulls players and staff at the Bullbuilder event this evening, in response to questions including "who will be tearing up SL this season?"

Donno said (IIRC) Heath and BK were looking really really good in pre-season. Tom Olbison IIRC gave a big rap to Herbert and Ah Van. Can't remember what Lynchy said, but he DID say don't read anything much into the friendlies - that is exactly what they were, and trial games. Ryan was telling me separately that (amongst others) Chev Walker was looking very very strong indeed in training, as was Rayner. He said those two were really going for it, with much to prove and were showing every indication of doing just that.

All backs. Which, given we know we are reasonably strong already in the pack, is precisely the sort of thing we want to be hearing, I'd suggest?

I got the impression Sibbett was likely to be around 18th man. But an effective one that you'd be quite happy to bring in when needed. But he point was made...would you rather have him or Worrincy? That was the indication of how the strength in depth has improved.

Another thing which they said - and it had not really gelled with me before - was that we can put two full first teams together from our squad now. That has apparently been a huge advantage in pre-season, since the squad has been able to play matches against itself with full team on both sides.

Quite a lot more said that gave pointers, but that's the gist of what I can recall. All sounded pretty damn positive, to be honest.