Which areas are we strong?

On paper.

I'd give it to Vaughn

Be crazy if Ratchford keeps it.

Sam Burgess

So looking something like:-

Dufty
Ashton
King
Tai
Thewlis
Williams
Drinkwater
Harrison
Walker
Vaughan
Fitzgibbon
Currie
Nicohlson

Musgrove
Philbin
Kasiano/Bullock
Ratchford

I’ve left off Wrench and Dudson as they’re rumoured to be going to Widnes on loan.

Wrench to Widnes? I'd heard he wasn't one of those off out on loan and nor should he be.

I’m just going off what Abe said.

Couldn`t agree with you more.

Loan Drinkwater out instead.

Shame for Wrench, as he seems to be the only one in the backline who can beat a man or break a tackle. But he obviously doesn't bring to the team what someone like Mata'utia did. Whatever that was, because I never saw it.

Bullock has been a good signing - definitely an even better prop hiding in there - he could be excellent.
Hayes needs to be given a good run in the side - I think he'd dovetail nicely with Williams.
Moving Drinkwater and (possibly) Kasiano on would be good.
I'm hoping King and Tai are fighting for a centre spot as Wrench has kicked on and holding down the other...he has the ability.

RL is heavily decided on simply who runs/defends the hardest - this is the side of the game where I'm hoping Burgess makes the most difference.

Yes. Will to win, desire, determination, guile, bending rules. This is where we are very weak and I hope Sam can fix it. I can't see him accepting less than 100%. If the players pull a "Wakefield" I can imagine him battering them.

Few things I'd say I'd probably start with Musgrove. It would be Bullock for me and I'd expect Hayes to get game time this year.

It's a strong starting 17, it's better than this year and it's not always the starting 17 which makes the GF I'm happier we have some depth.

I think you also have to look in the context of our rivals. Wigan in a reversal to previous years seem to have a strong pack but look thinner in the backs than previous years. Saints need to address their Centre and Wing positions the integration of Clark and the squad generally aging. Catalan have wholesale changes and are a bit of an unknown. Leigh I think may suffer a little from second season and will see if they can maintain. Hull KR (this years GF winners) will struggle to maintain this year's success. Leeds are again an unknown but if they get their act together who knows.