Now it gets interesting as some of the new lads really put there hands up yesterday!!! For me it's.... Hampshire Clare crookes brown Higson ridyard drinkwater Weston hood hock Stewart Hansen Patterson subs pellisier hoppy green Maria... Harsh on Reynolds and Dawson as thought they were both superb yesterday but they will get a chance I'm sure... Though vea was pretty queit and after watching hood and pellisier think they are both ahead of Micky

Hampshire
Higson
Crookes
Tonga
Clare
Ridyard
Drinkwater
Weston
Higham
Green
Hock
Stewart
Paterson

Pelissier
Acton
Hoppy
Hansen

The good thing it’s a difficult choice especially with regards to Hood, Reynolds, McNally, Dawson, Brown who I’m sure along with all the other lads will get some game time over the season.

McNally
Higson
Crooks
Tonga
Dawson
Ridyard
Drinkwater
Weston
Higham
Green
Stewart
Paterson
Hansen

Hood / Pelissier (Cant make my mind up on the two hookers!)
Tickle
Vea
Hock

But if you asked me again tomorrow would probably change my mind and pick Hampshire, Clare, Hopkins and Brown. And still wouldn't be able to decide which two hookers I'd prefer to be picked.

Good luck picking the team Neil!

Its going to be intertesting,I'm not predicting a starting 17 but for me early doors Hampshire is a half in this team not a fullback.

Not sure about that. Rocky was excellent at fullback against Wigan.

I still see Riddy and Drinkwater as our 1st choice halves and Bens brilliant game on Sunday (mom in my opinion) cements him as the obvious back up to those two.

If Neil had seen Hampshire as a half back, perhaps he would have played him there on Sunday?

Perhaps he'll give him a go v Dewsbury.

I would like to see Reynolds and Hampshire at half back on Sunday. We already know what Drinkwater is about so no point playing / risking him. I really want a look at Brown in the full back role as well. He has not been given the number 1 shirt as a token gesture so that would be interesting.

Also I do not want Willie Tonga to state he is not 100% or this or that or what ever feels tight. I want to see him ready, unleashed and raring to go as patience is now beginning to run a little thin.

Even a 100% Willie Tonga doesn't get in This team brown was very with ball in hand and in the tackle, crookes is what we have been missing in the 3/4's he's got pace and lots of it... Tonga is a liability in defence and never fit, I would of rather kept the worthington than Tonga

You don't get Kangaroo caps being a liability in defence

But Leyth fans know better C&W, with Australian coaches always asking advice about who should be in their 17

To be fair it's more a liability of a quota spot being taken up If Leigh carry him for another season.I think that's the point being made. Take nothing away from him,his pass to Dawson in the Salford qualifier was sublime.

He does need to get his ar$e in gear now though.

Contracts protect both sides, or should do. Willie will want to finish on a high, his pre season seems to indicate that.

1.Mitch Brown.
2.Matty Dawson.
3.Ben Crooks.
4.Willie Tonga.
5.Adam Higson.
6.Martin Ridyard.
7.Josh Drinkwater
8.Dane Weston.
9.Mickey Higham.
10.Gaz Hock.
11.Glenn Stewart.
12.Harrison Hansen.
13.Corey Patterson.

14.Eloi Pelissier.
15.Sam Hopkins.
16.Green, forgot his first name.
17.Danny Tickle.

This is of course when everyone is fit,I've obviously not seen Lachlan Burr play,and I think Hampshire, Clare,Vea,Hood,Reynolds,and I'm sure a few others I've forgot will be challenging them for places as the Season unfolds, I suppose we all have our 17 in mind,and most will be different.

1.Ryan Hampshire
2.Matty Dawson.
3.Ben Crooks.
4.Mitch Brown
5.Adam Higson. J.Clare if Higgy not fit
6.Martin Ridyard.
7.Josh Drinkwater
8.Dane Weston.
9.Mickey Higham.
10.Gaz Hock.
11.Glenn Stewart.
12.Harrison Hansen.
13.Corey Patterson.

14.Eloi Pelissier.
15.Sam Hopkins.
16.James Green,
17.Atelea Vea.


Might change mi mind after this Sunday.

Contracts in RL are not worth the paper written upon.I hope to seen him start on a high would be my preference MO.

Not sure if he'll be different for you, but when Cas had both their halves injured last year, Powell played a hooker and a prop there before Hampshire got a look in. He's great on the wing though.

How did you go on when you had a hooker & a prop in the halves? I genuinely can't remember.

BTW - Rocky went well for us on Sunday.

We did alright. Won a CC match against Salford and then another match the week later.

Glad he's doing alright, but still don't think halves are for him.

I just can't get my head around why you must have one then, could be the new garlic bread this no contracts rule

Cheers BD.



I don't think he'll play in the halves unless we get injuries,however,he will now take the fullback spot due to Mc Nally's injury.

Centre is the position MO we lack depth in.I'll go with whats on the cards,not a problem.But if we end up switching players to cover that position constantly,i'll return to haunt you.

Centre is a position all lack depth in, especially England. We have 3 and a couple who could fill in, so are better than most. What you need to get your head around is that Tonga is one of those 3, he didn't choose to be injured and he is contracted so let's support him and let Derek deal with our needs once we know what they are, after about5/6 games. I am sure if Tonga hasn't showed and we are weak in that position he will do what's needed, I am confident Tonga will have a great season

I think thats 2 Mo and 3 could actually fill in,Tonga being one of the two..Browns position is FB,but can't get there because of Tonga..Hopefully things will change and I do support Tonga,but he needs to take to the field the same way he takes to a bicycle.

I am not 100% on my prefered 17 yet, but then Jukes is I/C of team selection.

I would however like to see Hampshire at FB, Riddy at 6, Drinky 7, Weston 8, Hood & Pellisier at 9, GS, HH & Corey.

Hock, Acton, Green, Hopkins.

AJ, Mitch, Clare & Crooks in the 3/4's.

Despite the miracle pass, I don't thank W.Tonga's heart is in it.

Hope there will be cap space for another centre.