FWIW

1. Jowitt
2. Johnstone
3. Arudel
4. Topou
5. Jones Bishop
6. Miller
7. Finn
8. Fifita
9. Randall
10. England
11. Ashurst
12. Horo
13. Arona

14. Pauli Pauli
15. Huby/Hirst
16. Batchelor/Kirmond
17. Wood

Probably

Ratchford
Russell
Goodwin
Atkins
Mitch Brown/Lineham
Brown
Roberts
Hill
Clark
Cooper
Currie
Hughes
BMM

Crosby
Sitealki
Westwood
Livett

Some debate on whether BMM will play right second row or loose as Hughes was disappointing last season to say the least. The wings aren't particularly strong and Lineham / Russell / Brown will probably rotate through the season as form dictates.

I still think we have business to do as we lack depth, (12 players out and only 5 in so far tells a story). Possibly holding some cap space for a mid season signing? Need a second hooker and another backrower as a minimum.

New regime so will be interesting to see how we start, back challenging for the four I hope.

Hull and Warrington look really strong this year

Regards

King james

At this moment with the squad as it is. I think Sheens will go.

Adam Quinlin/Kieran Moss.
Justin Carney.
Thomas Minns.
Andrew Heffernan.
Ryan Shaw.

Chris Atkin.
Danny McGuire.

Nick Scruton.
Shaun Lunt.
Lee Jewitt.

Maurice Blair.
James Greenwood.
Danny Addy.

Tommy Lee, Jordan Walne, Mason Masoe, George Lawler.

But he does like to change it for most games. Personally would like to see Moss at FB, and hope he does gives Atkin a chance.

Jeez, that needs some improving. When you look at Leigh and perhaps Toronto, you need to strengthen further

I like that back line. I think Heffernan in particular will show up well at SL level. We know that McGuire and Lunt are quality players. Don't know much about Atkin if I'm being honest. I know he's been around a while at champ level but I've only seen him play a couple of times. Whats plan B if he isnt up to scratch, Blair?

Pack are all steady SL standard players but no real quality there. A pack is never just the sum of its parts though. It depends on how well Sheens can motivate and get them working as a unit.

I can't quite get a first 17....

23 Ben Barba/1 Jonny Lomax
2 Tommy Makinson
3 Ryan Morgan
4 Mark Percival
19 Regan Grace
6 Theo Fages
7 Matty Smith
8 Alex Walmsley
9 James Roby
10 Kyle Amor
11 Zeb Taia
12 Jon Wilkin
13 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
14 Luke Douglas
15 Morgan Knowles
16 Luke Thompson
17 Dominique Peyroux

1) Jake Mamo
2) Jermaine Mcgillvary
3) Leroy Cudjoe
4 Jordan Turner
5) Aaron Murphy
6) Danny Brough
7) Lee Gaskell/ Jordan Rankin
Sebastine Ikahifho
9) Kruise Leeming
10) Shannon Wakeman
11) Tom Symonds
12) Oliver Roberts
13) Ryan Hinchcliffe

14) Ukuma Taai
15) Adam Walne/Paul Clough
16) Adam O Brien
17) Michael Lawrence

We are crying out for a controlling 7 with a strong kicking game. That was supposed to be Leuluai, but it hasn't happened. He was largely anonymous in attack all year. Would be far better at hooker. Everyone is under contract, so not really any likelihood we will sign one. Powell is probably the nearest we have, but I can't see Wane dropping a big name for him, and it's a good while since he has played 7. There is Shorrocks as well, but he has only played a few first team games, missed most of last season with injury.

You think?

I get Wire have recruited well but I can see one or two gaps still and Hull look weaker without Ellis and Fonua.

They’re both good teams for sure and will be in the mix but especially with Hull, if I judge them against past years line up then it doesn’t look as strong.

The good thing for the league is 6 or 7 teams look just about dead even.

It depends how Faraimo turns out. He has big boots to fill, but he looks the part. I think it was against PNG in the WC, he made 170 metres and 8 tackle busts despite his team getting whacked. He is a handful.

Ellis is irreplaceable, but its still a strong backrow, and whilst we might be a tad weaker for him leaving, his cap space has allowed us to add depth by bringing Hadley, Abdul and Logan back from loans, and bringing in Paea and Miloudi (if he ever stops acting like a d**k). I am confident we have a capable replacement regardless of who might be missing this year.

cuthbo i would expect to be 13 with garbutt starting at prop. Galloway coming into contention after injury. strongest all round Leeds squad for 3 years if everyone fit.

Seriously! That back line is just about ok but the H/Bs are poor, you saw McGuire's last serious attempt at RL in September.

The pack though is a bit dodgy, people were calling Scruton past it and too small at Wakefield and that was 18 month ago and he's the best one in that lot imho.

Your right playing as a team can overcome that and they will need to, I can't see any match winners or game breakers in that team. However you never know, I've seen worse at BV in the last 20 years and we are still here.

Atkin looks alright. But as you say it's a big step up. Hopefully can prove himself. If not only real back up half back is Franck the young half back we've just got from Catalans. So think it probably will be either Blair or Lee.

I actually think the back line is okay (did well in the middle 8's). But there's no real back up if they get injured without moving players out of position.
Agree even the players I've not mentioned (ie the likes of Kavanagh & Clarkson), are solid but not spectacular players. Hopefully a new signing could get us the punch. Otherwise could be a hard season.