I think it’s about finding the balance. Wigan have gone all out since pre season and it seems to have caught them up. (Wire did the same last year and fell at the last hurdle)

Mac and Smith have managed their resources to hit form at the right time (in different ways) but both successfully

Do we need pre season games. Who knows

Not quite, we just about won it in a tight finish, but no doubt Fev away would provide a similarly tough test.

Leeds at least had their Xmas game(s). I was only suggesting playing a reserve/youth side as a welcome gesture to the new clubs, it could be beneficial to both sides.

Have a look at the team Leeds field at Xmas. Compare it to this Saturdays team.

I like the idea of xmas game, it just a shame things are going badly with quins to tag on to there boxing twickenham fixture would be great exposure! But I guess we've missed that boat!

Capital Challenge against Skolars announced for Friday 11th January - HAC - 2pm

3 months today, can't wait!

Ticket booked and paid for - kids at school so they'll have to miss out this time! Thanks for the heads up.

PS Tickets here, £15 + 60p P&P... www.skolarsrl.com/club-shop/matc ... uary-2013/

PS Tickets here, £15 + 60p P&P... www.skolarsrl.com/club-shop/matc ... uary-2013/

Talk on a.n.other forum of a game in Perpignan in January as well.

TR likes France pre season

...have to say, I didn't see that coming

Does anyone believe this game favours us as a club and the sport as a whole? 521 rolled up last year......most of which will not go to another RL game until jan 11th 2013 We've never gained a sponsor from it....sold a corporate package to anyof these suits......it's a complete wate of time that only benefits the skolars IMO.....

Why can't DH waste some of his reported 1.5 million a year investment taking the team on a 3 week tour up north for games v the likes of Salford, Wakefield and HKA? Surely that will give TR a better idea of who to play where and how, rather than racking up 40+ points against a team 2 divisions lower than us?

where the coach can set how our team gels, works on attacking formations, set plays, defence, players responses etc. etc.

...against a team 2 tiers below us?
I'd rather test these "formations" against decent teams.....and I mean no disrespect to the skolars, but surely this pre-season game followed up with a trip to France has been tried and shown to fail enough times already

Skolars put up a pretty good fight in the first half in this years match. But you wouldn't know that would you? All Super League teams will have pre season games against lower league sides.

It's a decent afternoon, the club will lose nothing from it and one day, you never know, might gain. Worth pursuing and I will certainly be attending.

Only you could moan about an annual game between the two top sides in London.