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?

No but he made his way to the bench very slowly.

Clough, Sidlow & Kavanagh are clearly our best props. Head and shoulders above the rest from what I've seen. The 4th place could be any of Crossley, Lauaki, Walker or Mitch Clark. Hopefully form will dictate who plays, as well as a bit of rotation to keep people fresh. There's also Dan Fleming, but I would expect him to be behind the rest too (as well as Haggerty), as he's showed very little since signing.




There were rumours that 10 chilli dogs were rushed to the bench to help replenish his energy levels, but I can neither confirm nor deny.

1. Thomas (don't think Mathers will be up to speed yet).
2. Caro
3. Purtell
4. Welham
5. Williams
6. Gaskell
7. Jacks
8. Kavanagh
9. O'Brien
10. Sidlow
11. Olbison
12. Pitts
13. Addy

14. Ferguson
15. Lauaki/Fleming
16. Haggerty/Walshaw
17. Halafihi

1. Thomas
2. Williams
3. Purtell
4. Welham
5. Clare
6. Gaskell
7. Jacks
8. Kavanagh
9. O'Brien
10. Sidlow
11. Olbison
12. Pitts
13. Addy

14. Ferguson
15. Lauaki/Fleming
16. Haggerty/Walshaw
17. Halafihi

Similar to what's been said but I'd have Willian's outside Purtell they worked well last season

Not a bad squad , I think some teams will underestimate Fev this season.

1. Thomas
2. Williams
3. Purtell
4. Welham
5. Clare
6. Gaskell
7. Jacks
8. Kavanagh
9. O'Brien
10. Sidlow
11. Olbison
12. Pitts
13. Addy

14. Ferguson
15. Walker
16. Haggerty
17. Walshaw/Caro

Agree Lauaki did better minutes against Cas but still looks unfit and incapable of more than 20 minutes in a real game. I would give the newbies a run.

Fev to me look to have a strong 17. However their broader squad doesn't look quite as good. If they keep people fit, they could do well. One or two injuries though and it could make a big difference.