So here we go then. Back in the championship after a tough year in L1. Definitely a feel good factor around the club which we probably haven't had in about 4 years (due to a variety of reasons from administration to having no HBs) I don't think there's any pressure on us this year.

Tough start to the campaign. I think Featherstone have a very strong 17, especially when you throw in the Leeds D/R players (i expect Golding, Walters, Ormondroyd to feature due to them playing in some of their pre-season games) The Boas brothers are two quality players at this level. And King who they've signed from the Eels is also a quality addition. I still think their undoing of getting into the play-offs maybe when they get some injuries or Leeds recall some of their D/R players as I don't think they have a huge amount of depth. But that starting 17 is one of the best we'll face IMO Can't really call this one and without sounding like a coaching cliche, it really will be whoever performs the best on the day

Can't wait!

The one edge we have is the majority of our squad was with us last year where as fev ar still moulding a team together

First game of the season and both teams will be looking for the win. I think Kear will be able to get boys to bounce back from the Toronto game but there just needs more focus on concentration as a number of the tries conceded on Saturday came from lapses in concentration and lazy defending.

True, I don't think the result from that game should be taken as anything other than the outcome of a friendly where we were missing a number of 1st teamers and the players were trying to ensure they got through the 80 without anything serious in the injury stakes, but it needs to be drilled in that the Championship is a step up from League 1 and there won't be the easy 50 point wins this year

To be fair I think the results of the Yorkshire cup games show they are well aware of that

I think the way they [iplayed[/i in the earlier friendlies suggests that they are more than well aware, tbh.

If they are relying on their D/R players are they that good a team

Went to watch Featherstone yesterday and they looked very very good in the secomd half but made some changes in the second half and didn't look good.

I think Featherstone will win by 8

A mate of mine that was there said Fev’s right side defence was all over the shop and the Boas brothers didn’t look anything special. The Aussie hooker looked decent as did their Aussie centre apparently and they came out of the blocks quick but went off the boil when they were going up the hill.

Sounds as if we’re playing them at the right time as they’re not fully gelled. No idea what dual reg players they’ll have for next week either.


I think we'll win by 8.

I looked on the Featherstone website and the team that played yesterday looks to be an almost brand new team from what they were fielding last season!

I suppose the question would be whether they are fully prepared for the new season, or whether they are a bit more of a work in progress who will get better as the season goes on. Hopefully we are playing them at just the right time, before they fully gel!

The unknown factor for Fev is their DR arrangements with Leeds. Ironically, some of the players who played [iagainst[/i them yesterday could be playing [ifor[/i them next week. Such is the bizarre outcomes of Dual Reg

They were only playing against an under 19s side

And still lost.

Bradford should easily win this game.

I don't think the starting 17 have trained more than 5 times together, it will take a very good performance to get a win away from home. It's pretty much a team from scratch.

Leeds have announced that seven of their players will be dual reg with Fev (not sure if that means they’ll be in the squad on Sunday).

Mullaly
Ormondroyd
Walters
Newman
Golding
Waite Pullen
Briscoe

Should rename them Leeds ‘A’

Fev are also after Hull KR fullback Will Dagger on a season long loan.

If I was a Fev player I’d be wondering whether it was worth doing all that training if I was second fiddle to a dual reg or loan player.

Am i right in presuming they can only play 5 loan/dual reg players per game?

Firstly have you got a link to back up the story ? Other than the Serious About Rugby League fan site, which appears to be a couple of college students repeating gossip and reporting it as fact? Fev will certainly be playing a number of DR players, including this weekend in all probability, but within the laws (max 4 DR, max 5 DR/loan combined).

Secondly, are Bradford going to be another set of fans who get holier-than-thou about DR/loans whilst conveniently forgetting the heavy borrowing players from other teams their own club did just 2 years ago? When Bradford were playing four Rhinos plus a DR guy from Widnes in the same game, was that somehow different?