Well, based on last season, back-up to Ratchford & Atkins (yes I know he was injured for most the season). But my point was I don't think he's good enough to be a first choice centre in a team that has aspirations to win the league etc.

I'm happy with 1-17 as the starting 17, perhaps I'd reward Penny over Russell because of appearances and tries scored. In fact I'd go as far to say on a couple of occasions we won games on the back of Penny's inclusion.

I'm a big fan of Penny and hope he gets plenty of game time. I like the way Russell runs the ball back, I just wonder how he will cope with the inevitable last tackle aerial bombardment. Don't want to sound heightist but he isn't the tallest!

I agree to a point, Penny deserves his place. But for me, Russell brings huge 'go-forward' and a decent amount of pace to the backline. For a squad (according to other threads) lacking punch up front, a meter maker like Russell is just what we need. I'd have to find a spot for him.

I know his limitations at fullback, but with 2 half backs and a ball playing loose, I think we could cope with having a running fullback as opposed to a playmaker.

The back three of Russell, Lineham and Penny has meters and points in it, I think that should be first choice. Sandow and Gidley in the halves. Ratchford is more than competent in the centres, and may benefit from playing wider, in a bit of space.

Beyond that, the team picks itself

This sounds pretty good to me. I re-watched our last game against Saints the other day, Ratchford looked very comfortable in the centres (more so than Atkins, costing us two tries by shoving players away for no reason). He attracts tacklers because they know how dangerous he is with the ball in hand. Also that tap back inside to Johnson was beautiful!

I struggle a bit with Russell but I must admit that our go forward and speed of PTB was much better when he was in the starting line up last year, so I think I'd go with...

Russell
Lineham Ratch Atkins (just over Evans) Penny
Gidley Sandow
Hill Clark Sims
Hughes Currie
Westwood

Dwyer
Dodds
Westerman
B Evans

I can't see past Gidley as full back, I do think Ratchford and Sandow have the potential to be a really exciting half back combination, looking forward to the season in a way that I haven't for a while.

I'm with you Captain, I think that we need Gidley organising us from the back. Sure a back line of Lineham, Russell and Penny has points in it I'm just not so sure that they would all be welcomed

What we have to recognise is that there is a lack of talent throughout SL which hasn't been helped by the scrapping of the Academy teams. Hopefully, the reintroduction of under 23s will start to produce better players in 2 or 3 years time. Wigan have struggled for the last couple of years but now have a good young squad & no doubt Leeds will struggle this year with the loss of key players.
I'm sure ,injuries permitting , we will have as good a team as any other for the coming season.

I am a little bit worried about injuries in particular in the pack. Evans, Dodds, laithwaite and Harrison have all had or expecting (Harrison) lengthy periods out. I have not given up on a return by Grix but I was hoping for that all last year
The key thing is attitude though. A number of times last year interviews elluded to poor attitude, lack of application or mental toughness.
That is where Smith will earn his money. Hopefully the likes of Clarke back around the place with Gidley calling the shots there will be no slacking in training or on game day.

Skill and ability are great but are worth very little without effort.

Indeed we've added some quality and more importantly leadership. With a positive attitude and start to the season we'll be a huge improvement on last season. I think these low expectations from quite a few will do us no harm either.

Is Russell due to be back to full fitness for the start of the season??

Seen a few pics of him in training so I assume so.

Thats would be my team also but I am more of an Atkins fan.

Curious at the idea of Gidley at Stand Off. Hasn't he played most of his rugby at full back?