Whilst the new players are settling in and last seasons players getting back to the speed of super league, the team might not be competitive for the first few rounds. Maybe McRae wants to make sure the team is competitive before exposing all the younger players to top flight super league. Let's face it getting thumped week in week out will not help their development. When the time is right Ratchford will make his impact!!

There's still time for Ratchford to be included in the squad isn't there

been watching turner for the past 5 years never seen him play centre, he has played stand off,- loose, can`t understand why they want to play him at centre, he will be a good sub this season, he can kick, which is a good advantage.COME ON YOU REDS.

If Ratchford is injured or dosent feature in Mcraes game plan its fair enough, but me personally would just like to ratchford have a chance even if it is at hooker i may get slated for saying this but i dont think paul is a good player last season he was far from impressive i thought although after watching him play in friendlys he has done ok but i still feel ratchford can offer more in attack and his kicking game is the best on the team.

Paul for me has bin there & done it and i would just like to see some english youth given a chance for once. Ratchford has a better future at the club than paul does and with no relegation now if ever us the time to give the young lads a go.

With as many good young players as we have in our squad there are going to be games where a couple miss out. We've got a long season ahead of us and just because Ratchford is left out in this one doesn't mean he's going to have limited opportunities this season.

ratchford is not injured or ill watch him for the 21s on sunday against the stains

12pm kick off according to the saints site.

Why?

Good team I think but a bit dissapointed Ratchford's not in, from pre season form he should have Jordans place in the squad and put him on the bench. Is a different option in the halves and steadied the ship last week, and can be played on the wing, no reason for him not to be IMO.

Come on lads - its mid February - its a long season - its likely to be a forwards game on Saturday - lets back our coach - he knows better than us - well most I think. Ratchfords time will definitely come on firmer grounds.

Alongside Luke Dorn perhaps?!

It seems that every club takes the easy option when picking their respective teams, if it comes down to a young Brit or Aussie/Kiwi import, the young Brit loses out every time.
It es me off tbh.

thats because pommys are at this game its a kiwi,aussie game

mcrae was on gmr last night i posed the question of steff being one of the stand out players in the friendlies and he disagreed and said he wasnt now is it me or was he watching different friendly games that i went to and i seen them all when he came off the bench he gave us more direction and options and but he seems to differ

edited.