I can't escape the feeling we are undercooked for this important first match.We have had only two pre-season hit-outs of which only 40 minutes against Wigan were of Superleague standard, whereas Castleford have had more matches and comprehensively outplayed a full strength Saints side on their own turf. Sky bet have already upped the handicap start from 10 to 12 points. I think Cas could be Yorkshire's top side this year, especially with a fit Ranji Chase this season. I still have the shudders about how he destroyed us in the qualifiers at Salford in 2015. Did we not miss a trick in not offering Toronto a pre-season match once their Wigan game was called off?

Toronto to get a load of bans, on and off the pitch? This team are right and raring to go. Cas away is not what you want first up at night but if we are 12 points off I would be quite happy as Cas will not lose many at home and turn over a few very heavily

A fit Rangi Chase is a threat however, his defence (when Legal) is poor and we should be looking to exploit that too!
Not sure if Riddy should play this match, he didn't get any pre-season game time and Cas away on a Winters night is not the ideal season starter! We certainly have options in the halves now, Reynolds, Hampshire, Foster etc and whilst Ben Reynolds has performed well I'd like to see someone with more experience at stand off against Cas! my choice would be Cory Paterson I thought he looked great when he played there last season and, the game at Bradford in particular, he was awesome!
Why would we want to play Toronto (Leigh 'A' team) Wolfs..t or whatever they are called?

Leigh will win at Cas. Charlie told me so I am going.

Problem with not playing Ridyard at Castleford, is - when would we play him? The longer we wait, the more time passes without him getting in any game time. Plus, there are no 'easy' games to ease him in!

I think Riddy will be given the No 6 spot against Cas,and think it's the right decision.

He guides us well around the park and we look better organised. ( nothing against Reynolds) BTW.

No one had any game time up to playing the pies,and once they got up to pace they went well.

If Riddy is 100% fit then he should play.

If he isn't then I would go with Reynolds who has had a great pre-season.

Not sure on the logic of putting Paterson into the halves. Presumably we have had our half backs of all combinations practicing together all through pre-season be that Riddy/Reynolds/Drinkwater/Hampshire etc. Would seem odd to then get to the opening fixture and stick a 6 ft 5 back rower in at 6 when we have plenty of actual half backs to choose from.

we will need as much pace as possible at cas,i cant see any logic in playing a forward in the halves

This. With you on all of the above, Nozzy. Though worth noting that were Leythe in a tight corner with an injured 6 and only forwards on the bench then, yes, Paterson would be the go to guy.

Bongser do not worry,have faith in our Coaching team, I do, Bob Hope once said,if the winds coming from the East, then lean to the West.

We (Cas) have been caught cold in both in 2015 (lost to Wakefield at home, who eventually finished bottom) and in 2016 (drew with Hull KR who were eventually relegated).
Hiwever, we have looked much better in pre-season than we did in 2015 and 2016. Our first team destroyed Wakefield when they played for 40 minutes (we played our kids in the second half) and then dominated Saints for the full 80 minutes last week.
Given our start to 2015 and 2016, I'll be happy with any kind of win.

Myself, I Have no issues with this game

1. A large noisy crowd of Leythers
2. Our first game back in Super League
3. On Sky
4. We will be relatively "unknown"
5. We are expected to loose anyway (look at the betting)
6. Chances are it will be cold and damp (evens a lot of teams out)
7. The coaches will have them fired up.

We have to play them sometime so why not now.

My prediction

Leigh to just pip it by 2

(Yea I am delusional)

1 week to go - Come on Leyth

If we are off the boil and anywhere near underestimate you then you will win. Really looking forward to the game, especially excited that you lot are bringing big numbers, think it will be a charged atmosphere. An added spice is the likes of Ben Crooks and James Clare who I dare say will have something to prove .

And no doubt Rocky.

Does "logic" not play into the hands of the opposition? Would the opposition base their game plan on Ridy @6? Leigh need to be clever this season.Rotation of players keeps them fresh,rotation of positions breaks game plans.