So after watching the pre season games, Huddersfield and today's games what would people go with? Any outsiders played their way in? Regulars who may miss out?

IMO there has to be places for Burgess, Powell and Bateman based on their showings to date but there are questions to be answered all over the place. The left centre spot will surely go to Sarginson but I do wonder why Thornley didn't play today (was it a shoot out for a spot to partner Thornley between Sarginson and Burgess). Which props do we go with?! Taylor has been immense and must start but Flower has been quiet and Pettybourne has had an iffy start. I can't see Bowen missing out but Hampshire couldn't have done much more today to push his claims.

All things considered I think I'd line us up-

Bowen
Charnley
Goulding
Sarginson
Burgess
Green
Smith
Taylor
McIlorum
Dudson (impressed me today and we'll need some size)
Farrell
Clubb (holds a spot by a whisker again due to size)
Lockers

Subs
Flower
Crosby
Bateman
Powell

The one position I struggled to decide on was Clubb's. He's looked raw and not at ease in our systems but so has Pettybourne and I don't think I'd play both in the game. I'd edge towards Clubb simply because he's had a run there now and should improve quicker then if we start shifting Pettybourne further wide.

Lads like Hampshire and Jack Hughes would be extremely unlucky to miss out based on today but there chance will come.

Going to be some disagreement to this, but so be it...

Hampshire (We simply look better when he's our FB, picking Bowen would be only for experience or past rep IMO)
Charnley Goulding Sarge Burgess
Green Smith
Taylor McM Flower
Faz Pettybourne (Yes as a SR, his size, strength toughness would be ideal v an NRL pack)
Lockers
-----------------------------------------
Dudson Crosby Bateman Powell-interchange 9 and cover for 6, 7

No room for:

Clubb
Thornley
Gelling
Tomkins

Yeah defo. I like the idea of a big strong pack. I felt, for whatever reason, Hudds looked to dominate our pack. Some teams go for 3 props, with one at loose, but I wouldn't do this when our best player is our loose, so I like the option of Eddie returning to his original position of SR, with him plus 2 props Faz and Lockers in the pack I feel we had a good combo of speed, power and strength.

Bowen
Charnley
Goulding
Sarginson
Burgess
Green
Smith
Taylor
McIlorum
Flower
Farrell
Bateman
Lockers

Subs
Pettybourne
Dudson (Only just over Crosby)
Hampshire (Has to be included IMO, too young or not he has the X-FACTOR) If Not then Powell was brilliant today!
Burke/Hughes ( To Cover Lockers Injury and both are solid in defence)

I'd toyed with the idea of Flower at 13 in my team with Lockers in at second row or vice versa but I just can't see it happening.

I just wish Jack Hughes had never been moved to the backs tbh. A full couple of years worth of learning his trade at second row had been missed out on and he could have put a lot more size on had he not been moved about. He's an athletic lad but he could afford to carry more weight IMO.

We certainly can't afford to go light against the likes of Hargreaves, Nuiasala, SBW, Moa and co because they won't hold back.

Where would Hampshire play when he comes on? Interchange 9? or move Bowen to 9 and have Hampshire as the fb?

i.e play Eddie in the SR.

Assuming Bowen won't be dropped, most of the 17 picks itself IMO.

The biggest decisions are:

Thornley or Sarginson at left centre
Thornley or Burgess at left wing
Clubb, Bateman or Hughes for 2 SR places
Dudson, Crosby or Pettybourne for 2 prop places

After this morning, mine would be:

Bowen
Charnley
Goulding
Sarginson
Burgess
Green
Smith
Taylor
McIlorum
Flower
Hughes
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Dudson
Pettybourne
Bateman
Powell

bowen
charnley
goulding
thornley
burgess
powell
smith
flower
m mac
taylor
faz
pettybourne
lockers

crosby
dudson
bateman
green

Thorley because he knows how to pass to his winger ...Sarginson looked good, but forgot he had a winger outside him most of the time last week
Sam to start, Green to spell Micky if he needs a rest. (sam to 9, then he can rest, then send him back on at 6 when the defence is tiring )
Pack really covers all options..Flower covers Lockers, Pettybourne cover front row, Bateman covers 11/12.

Personally don't see what problem people seem to have with Bowen by saying he deserves to be dropped, he has done absolutely nothing wrong & has linked in well in the attack ! Fair enough, everyone has their opinions though!

I would go for this team for the WCC:

Bowen
Charnley
Goulding
Sarginson
Burgess
Green
Smith
Taylor
McIllorum
Flower
Bateman
Farrell
O'Loughlin

Dudson
Pettybourne
S.Powell
Burke

Can't see Wane leaving Clubb out though ! Just have a hunch he will start 2nd row with Bateman on the bench !

Looking at the shoo-ins we have for me -

1.
2.Charnley
3.Goulding
4.Sarginson
5. Burgess
6.
7.Smith
8.Taylor
9.McIllorum
10.Flower
11.Faz
12.
13.Locky

14. Pettybourne
15. Dudson
16.
17.

It throws up some interesting combinations and possibilities.

Bowen
Charnley
Goulding
Sarginson
Burgess
Green
Smith
Taylor
McIlorum
Flower
Farrell
Hughes
O'Loughlin

Bateman
Pettybourne
Powell
Crosby

Would have put Hampshire in there but Powell has been nothing short of outstanding lately and earned his place. Rockys time will come.

Hopkins hasn't travelled.