True they did, however in 2015 throughout the regular season they weren't that important in getting us to top spot.

Losing the 2 legends was always going to be hard, but it's effectively become losing 3 guys considering McGuire's absence and we would've won against Warrington and Catalans had he stayed fit IMO given the closeness of the games (2 and 4pts respectively). Also undervalued just how good Paul Aiton was for us last year, comfortably in our top 3 performers last year before his injury.

McGuire will add plenty from a directional point by of view although I'm still unconvinced he's got the mentality of a captain because he's too emotional.

I agree about Aiton, he was very good last year. When is Faloon fit? I don't know a great deal about him but he's the replacement and you presume they must see plenty in him. I like Lilley and see him playing more at 9 then in the halves long term. Maybe it's just his build but he looks suited to the position and could really get the side around the field from dummy half.

There was a spell in the second half when we just couldn't get the ball back, but when we did we kept cool and won at the death. Well done to Matty for his two drop goals, and well done to Lee Mossop for being the best prop, even though he did drop a couple. Our defence was impressive, and it needed to be.

However, unlike Shaun Wane who thought the props were excellent I thought that we were poor in this department. Taylor and Ellis were the outstanding props on the field. There was a noticeable drop in intensity for Hull when Taylor went off. It highlighted what we are missing. Flower, Sutton and Clubb were very poor. Mossop the best of a bad bunch though Tautai does continue to improve from last season. Burke, who had played well the previous week, was very poor too. We missed Lockers.

All the backs were good. Special mention to Josh who ran hard and I was made up for him when he got that try at the death. Also George Williams who had a very good game and his defence especially on our line was impressive.

All in all it was a good result without Lockers, Micky, Sam, Joel and Willie Isa.

Yes and also in Phil clarks top 5 tries for the weekend.

I would have agreed about Mcguire before last years GF, Farrell and O'Lochilin did just about anything to put him off and wind him up (including what should have been an 8 point try!) and he responded with 2 tries, and assist, and a MotM performance, so no problems there imo

Not sure about Falloon, he looks lightning quick from his highlights, but as injured for the majority of last year and its yet to see how hell convert to SL, Lilly is too small to play 9 unless he gains an awful lot of muscle to help his defending, I actually see Stevie Ward as a better option in that position

I think you might have watched a different game our middles were not poor they defended very stoutly. You might not have seen much go forward but that was probably down to defending so much. George who I think is a cracking player missed 3 tackles from 15 so I dont know how you can say he had a great defensive game. Also Tautai who I agree has been good over the last few games came on and gave away 2 silly penalties. I think if you can say any part of the team was poor then it was our left edge. Farrell also giving away 2 silly penalties and Sarginson was probably our worst performer if anyone 2 penalties 2 errors and 6 missed tackles resulting in multiple trys. We won the game though so all is forgotten just a few things to work on this week that's all. The middles were probably out on their feet for most for the game as we had no ball which was mostly down to silly penalties and dropped balls on the edges. That's how I saw it maybe watch the highlights back.