Holroyd still looked a young lad last season.
The extra time would have matured him and put muscle on him.


Being hurt by Bateman wouldn’t do his eagerness any harm either.

Encouraging. They said this about Jesus, and that seemed to work out quite well.

Can he play prop?

Return nailed on for Good Friday

Hayes out for 5 weeks

Thought Leyland didn’t do too badly yesterday.

He’s the one I’ve been most impressed with in the two pre season games

Leyland has surpassed my expectations in the 2 games he's played. I'm quite comfortable with him taking the 7 slot for a few weeks and then it's up to Hayes to fight his way back in. He kicked both goals from the touchline and a 40-20 last night and looked pretty dangerous with ball in hand.

Holroyd picked up where he left off last season and Russell (bar the silly penalty on our own line) looked a bit more up to speed. Add Thewlis, Powell, Harrison and Fitzgibbon to the mix for round one and we should go ok.

I also thought Alfie Johnson looked more comfortable last night as well - made a couple of errors but took the ball up pretty strongly.

Interesting to see the squad v Haven. I hope Philbin's knock wasn't too serious.

Leylands a good player and is better than Hayes, him playing well and carrying on in the same form he was at for London isn't surprising at all.
Gutted for Hayes but glad Leyland is getting a chance in the halves.

"Better than Hayes" is a big shout, not sure that we've seen enough of either to be making that claim although you are entitled to that opinion.

My hope is that they will each push each other for the starting slot and may the best man win

If I was poked with a stick for sitting on the fence of Hayes and Leyland, I’d have to go with Leyland, but as UR hints, it’s far from proven.

Leyland is a lot more experienced than Hayes (94 games vs 12) and 3 years older (23 vs 20). From what I have seen his kicking game is better and his goal kicking is worth a lot. He is now going to start for half a dozen games at least and it will be up to Hayes to displace him. Glad we signed him otherwise we would be looking at Ratchford in the halves.