Has anyone actually said that? I imagine most people are saying it based on the fact that they were there or there abouts with Matty Smith at scrum half and they now have Thomas Leuluai.

Plus a fit Sam Tomkins and McIllorum back at 9.
Thats a fair bit of extra fire power plus, an extra season of experience for some of their youngsters.

Although Wane isn't everyones cup of tea (deliberate under statement), his management of a depleted squad and getting more than the sum of the parts from his players, was superb.
Building them up to believe, protecting them when things didn't go to plan nad coping with the odd spanner being thrown in to the works, was excellent management.

Indeed, forgot about McIlorum. They've basically received a massive upgrade at the two most important positions on the pitch. What sort of idiot would think they might finish top?

Is McIlorum going to be the same after a very serious injury? Sounds like there's some doubt about that. Likewise Tomkins, I can't see him getting back to his best because his speed and agility will keep decreasing with age and injury and in Sarginson at FB at the business end he was a massive difference maker that potentially Tomkins wouldn't have been.

For the criticism of Matty Smith he did help win them a lot of close games and came up with several DG's at key times.

Not saying they'll struggle or anything, they'd still be my choice for GF, but 1st in the league I wouldn't have them as favourites, I don't think they'll be that fussed about getting 1st compared to others.

They have probably the best pack in superleague and one of the best back lines. This could also be the year that George Williams wins man of steel. It's hard to see past them

Regards

King James

ok here goes

Wigan
Wire
Saints
Cas
Leeds
Hull
Midgets
Catalan
Leigh
Widnes
Wakey
Salford

FC
Saints
Wigan
Warrington
Cas
Leeds
Catalans
Salford
Huddersfield
Widnes
Wakey
Leigh

CC - FC
GF - FC

No more, gone. Karen.

No more, gone. Karen.

I predict FC to get a load of injuries after our relatively injury free season this and we'll find out how good the coach really is. As a consequence we'll see how well the youngsters will go after not having hardly any 1st team game time the last 2 seasons.

Wigan
Wire
St Helens
Cas
Leeds
Hull
Catalans
Hudds
Widnes
Wakey
Leigh
Salford

Why does everyone discount Catalans for a high finish? Gregory Bird is there in 2017 to inspire the team in a way that the coach could never do. Surely Catalans will be no lower than 5th, and possibly 4th.

It's okay it just takes him a bit longer than anybody else his nickname darn't Lane is lost in space, that's because there's always a twenty second delay between your question and his reply