We now have two games against Salford coming up, one on September 30th and the cc semi on October 3. That should make for a fascinating choice of team as they are only 3 days apart. Since Salford have a limited chance of making the top 4 I assume they will field some of their second team players for the SL game with the intention of winning the semi final. I wonder if we are allowed to delay announcing our 21 until after Salford declare their pick ? or even what the rules say about when declarations must be made ?

Bit annoying have same team 3 days apart. Big decisions for Pricey on rotation and what he sees as a more important game. Unless covid dictates I would rest a few for SL game in the hope they do the same and full squad for CC game.

Unfortunate to say the least. Although Wigan were always favourites yesterday in their QF, you could clearly see that Hull's players were very tired from 3 games in 9 days. OK, Salford and Wire will be in the same boat, but squad rotation will be vitally important in virtually all matches from now on. Fortunately we seem to have got the hang of this given performances in last three matches.

They've been a bit of a bogey team for us at times but other times we have battered them. Hopefully these 2 fixtures will both be the latter. If we both rest players out team should beat them if we play full strength we should beat them. If we play like we have been recently I'm confident against any team in the league. The whole squad has been fantastic, the attitude, application and discipline has been as good as I can remember since 2012.

To be fair, it was only last season when they beat us every fixture. Most times they have been a fairly easy win.

Salford & Wire will definitely rest players for the League game. It would be mad not to. Challenge Cup is priority.

That’s perfect for us, as we have a massive squad difference. We select some fringe players the game before, then we hit them with the big guns in the CC.

Given how the fringe players played recently I would be confident that several of Robson (in particular), Latu, Kibula, Doro, Longstaff, Johnson and Brand would do a good job in the 17. (Not forgetting Patton).
Danny Walker has finally shown me why he's rated by the club - particularly last week.
I do think Cooper needs a rest as he's been simply phenomenal in the last 3 games but it will take it's toll - whether that's against Salford or in an earlier match.

Any body know why Clarke was off the pitch for so long (by his standards)?

Yep, full strength vs Catalan, a win vs them will do wonders for our top 4 hopes, they are in 5th, but as they have played fewer games a win for them will give them a better improvement in win %.

Then big squad rotation vs Salford, chances are Salford will do the same thing, their top 4 hopes must be out of the window, so it’s challenge cup or bust for them.

The likes of Thewlis, Sita, Latu, Robson, Longstaff, Riley Dean, Patton etc should all play.

I recall we had a game against Wigan prior to the 90 cup final, where both teams fielded a lot of their reserves, and I can see a similar thing happening with Salford.

We cant afford to underestimate Salford. Remember the Saints fans delight when they drew Catalans in the semi a couple of years ago. Look what happened in that match (and of course to us in the final)

Just imagine we get through to the final. Our two games prior to the final are ... Wigan and Leeds (3 days before). Mind you ... dates do change.
Blimey.
BTW ... there is no way will underestimate anyone.

Perhaps there is a case with increased frequency of games & the faster pace of the scrum free games for increasing the number of substitutions allowed & possibly more players on the bench. It would be a shame to sacrifice competitive spectacles for the sake of sticking to last year's subs rules.

Salford have a really thin squad with little opportunity to rotate.

Don't think they have an academy squad let alone a reserves squad to pick from.

I was out yesterday (unfortunately) watching the football with a group of mates all Salford fans they were very happy with the draw. Definitely still living on last years results