I think Zak comes in in the centres once fit. Once he does, KPP moves to the back row.

Field
Marshall
Thornley
KPP
Bibby
Cust
Tommy
Ellis
Powell
Singleton
Farrell
Isa
Bateman

Mago
O'neill
Byrne
Partington/Smithies

I’m between 2 for the last bench spot (O’Neill or Hardaker) but happy with the rest-

Field
Thornley KPP Bibby Marshall
Cust Leuluai
Singleton Powell Ellis
Bateman Farrell Isa

Subs
Mago Byrne Smithies Hardaker

I’ll probably just edge for Hardaker (if fit) on the basis that he covers all the backline and if needs be Cust or Leuluai can spell in at 9. I’ve been hugely impressed with O’Neill though in pre season and would be looking to get him on the bench in the coming weeks.

Is Hardaker close to being fit?

Peet said he was on target for R1 after the Wire game.

The pack, fullback and halfbacks are set. It's the 3/4 line that's tricky - there's 6 players for 4 spots and I think you could make a case for including/not including each of them.

I'd continue with KPP at centre so would go with Hardaker at left centre if fit. I personally don't rate Marshall - would probably go with Miski and Bibby on the wings.

What about Zak on the wing? I doubt it's going to be a fast track on Friday, so it negates the loss of pace Vs Marshall (although ZH isn't slow by any means). Add in Hardaker's superior defence and the likelihood of bombs by Abdull and it seems like a no brainer to me.

Marshall nailed on for me (and Peet I expect). I’m a bag of nerves when Bibby is defending kicks from the wing and I still don’t see the supposed weakness Marshall has under a high ball. I’d want his pace in the team and his ability to pull something out of nothing. We don’t have enough backs who can do that with French.

Think it all stems back to the CC final against FC. Got kicked to death and was up against an on form Fonua

Field,
Thornley, KPP, Hardaker, Marshall.
Cust, Leuluai,
Singleton, Powell, Ellis,
Farrell, Bateman,
Isa.

Mago, Byrne, Shorrocks, Smith.

We are starting with size and pace as we did v Wire. Having Thornley bringing us out of yardage worked well.If we get out of yardage on the front foot then we have the pace and ball playing ability to overcome HKR. They will rely on Abdull as well as Litten who both pose an attacking threat. Smith to replace Tommy.
Looking forward to it.

He’s worked hard on it over the years and it hasn’t been a problem for a long while imo. Even that day it felt more like it was Fonua’s power that was the real problem, rather than an issue dealing with kicks (although I was probably the most rat legged I’ve been at a game so the memory is hazy). Tom Davies always made me more nervous under kicks and sitting at Old Trafford supporting Catalans in October gone, he still does. Jake Bibby is much the same.

As one of only two natural wingers in the squad and the only established one, he’d be one of the first names on my team sheet.

Marshall is a good finisher and obviously pretty quick (though he looked to have lost a yard of pace after his injury). I think his kick defence is actually pretty good in the main but dominated too much on the kick return for me. Also gets drawn in off his wing a little too often and I think some people overrate him off the back of that try at Huddersfield.

I think we can rule Brad O’Neil out. He’s just scored a try for Newcastle Thunder.

I’ve always liked the lad. I like his attitude and always did in the u19’s. I remember watching him once at Orrell and I just liked his fight and that he was a bit cocky and it was at the end of that season he was released. I couldn’t believe it on what I’d seen that day and a couple of other occasions but I was chuffed when they had a rethink.

Yes terrific attitude - no-one could question that. Phrased it wrong saying I don't rate him - he definitely has strengths but I personally feel we have better options atm. As for O'Neill- I'm sure he'll get his chances this year. The most important thing is for him to play each week.

I’d go with that but I think Smithies will get the nod ahead of Shorrocks.
I suspect we won’t get more than 30 minutes out of Mago so Smithies to play covering prop and second row if required