"It's always OUR year". Don't think you will find many of us predicting anything more than a better year than last year...and even that with fingers crossed.

I think that Hull FC have a great chance of winning the Challenge Cup for a third year on the trot and could also reach the Grand Final.

The top four for 2018 will be St Helens, Hull FC, Warrington and Leeds and the bottom four will be Widnes, Hull KR, Salford and Huddersfield.

Will be interesting to see how they approach the cup. They've been great in it the last 2 years but it's arguably cost them a GF appearance. Tough to reach a GF especially if you haven't made it before (2006 was so long ago it doesn't really apply to the current Hull team). Could reach and and even win the GF but might need to miss Wembley to achieve it.

You do realise the season starts next week! Catalans always have a good home record but the cold seemed to be a shock to the system for Mead and co. Hope it warms up soon, I had four layers on watching it, I can't imagine how cold it felt out on the pitch.

The fact that we have played good SL opposition all the way through both cup runs hasnt helped either. No chance to rest players, just foot to floor all season. It takes its toll.

I certainly think the cup cost us a GF spot (and definately the LLS) in 2016. Last year we dealt with it ok. We had some decent performances post Wembley, we just didnt quite perform to the best of our ability in the semi against a Leeds side that was desperate to make up for the year before.

If you offered me a choice between a third cup or a GF appearance I would take Old Trafford. But I dont necessarily subscribe to the thought it has to be one or the other. Its doable, but you need to manage your squad well.

On the subject of Catalans. I do agree to an extent with John that a snowy January in Hull isnt the best place to guage how your season will go, however. That was effectively their best team against a Hull side missing Shaul and pretty much the entire pack. Taylor, Watts, Bowden, Green, Manu and Minichiello all sat it out and yet they couldnt make any inroads. Hull just strolled through in second gear. It wasnt a good sign if you are a Catalans fan.

I know this was something Hull fans talked a bit about this year but I don't think it's as vital as you think. Leeds don't rotate or rest players that well compared to others and 3 of our 4 GF's under McDermott we've reached Wembley so had no weeks rest. As seen with Leeds struggles in CC finals and Warrington winning cups but no GF's the two competitions are very different to win and it's learning to win playoff games and yes they are different to cup games especially as you don't have 4/5 weeks to prepare for a certain opponent

Spelling mistakes corrected in red.

No it wasn't Catalans' best team. The team was missing star forwards Michael McIlorum, Louis Anderson, and Thibaud Margalet who were not yet fit enough to play.

This would have been the first time David Mead has played in snow.

Rested everyone ahead of the cup semi last year .

Rested everyone and his dog against London ahead of the cup final in 2014 if memory serves.

1 - And lost that SF
2 - Won the final but lost every game afterwards and went out first week of the playoffs

Cas this year started resting a few in the final weeks of the season but didn't help in the GF.

John was deliberate, I'll give you gauge. Is that your new thing? Spelling mistakes?

Three players missing, hence why I put the word effectively in there. Would Margalet be in your first choice 17 anyway? Admittedly I do like McIlorum and he will make a difference.

Faraimo has never played in snow either. Judging by Mead's tackle attempt for Faraimo's try you would be forgiven for assuming he had never played before in any weather conditions.

As I said. I wouldn't read much into it. I doubt it is much of a guide for what is to come, but it was a pretty miserable performance from Catalans.

Have you seen the highlights on Catalans youtube channel Jean?

Looks like Fouad Yaha has spent the off-season watching old Peter Kay dvds. He has the "dad run" almost perfect.

Don't you dare speak ill of the French Billy Boston.

Quote: Towns88 "Don't you dare speak ill of the French Billy Boston.'" Sneyd just kind of walks over and tackles him. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gOM4SHhxVxo

Quote: Towns88 "Don't you dare speak ill of the French Billy Boston.'" Sneyd just kind of walks over and tackles him. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gOM4SHhxVxo