Eckersley looks a real talent and seems comfortable across the backline. He reminds me a little bit of Wardle in how he moves, with good footwork challenging defenders.

It’s funny how the game goes, in that for a few years we’ve struggled in the centre position but we’ve had so many options in the second row and that could flip round in this next year or two. We’ll definitely have to go overseas for a second rower or two in 2024. I look at the squad lists around Superleague and realistic options are almost non existent.

A few of those young lads look like they could be the real deal. Eckersley, Forber and Hill all look like they're ready at this level. Hill is probably already challenging for the match day 17 and a couple of the more established props will have to up their game to retain their place. Forber was the best of our hookers yesterday too.

I agree regards the 2nd row although you would hope that Nsemba with a couple more years on him would be in the mix and I've also liked the look of Beardsworth when I've seen him play. Plenty of the Mick Cassidy workhorse about him and I say that in a very positive sense.

I watched Beardsworth in the flesh at Whitehaven and on the coverage at Barrow and I like his workrate with and without the ball. My only worry would be that he killed a few attacks as he seemed to struggle to get his head up and pass the ball but that was only a couple of games and it’s very early days.

As for the other youngsters, we seem to have let a few go and really cherry picked what we think are our best across the park. The 6 who have first team numbers are a winger, centre, halfback, prop, hooker and a back rower. Hopefully they’re the right ones and I’m confident they are. All could see opportunities this season because of how we’ve set the squad up.

I reckon everyone on here will pick the same 1-7 and 11 12 13 for HKR, only question is who starts at prop and how many are on the bench ?
I'd go for 3 plus a utility but I could understand 4 weather dependant.

I personally would go with Byrne, powell + Cooper starting and Singo Ellis Isa O'neil on the bench.

Field
French (assuming nothing comes of the ice pack)
King
Wardle
Marshall
Cust
Smith
Cooper
Powell
Ellis
Farrell
KPP
Smithies

Havard
Singleton
Mago
Isa

I assume Byrne is still banned? otherwise he starts, Ellis to bench and Mago out.

Was a hard pick between Isa and O'Neill, both bring cover in different ways (O'neill can play hooker or loose, Isa can play Second Row or Centre / allow KPP or Farrell to go centre) but i think Isa allows cover to more positions.

I think Ellis starting might be a tad controversial of a pick, but my thought process is that it could help alleviate the drop off in intensity we saw when the forwards rotated in the Salford friendly, i think Singleton & havard coming off the bench looks stronger and more balanced than Singleton and Ellis. I would look to rotate Mago in as late as possible against a more tired defence.

Edit - just checked Byrne only had a 1 match ban so changing my initial picks around, Ellis to bench, Mago out.

Just read Byrne had a slight knee injury but Peet confident he’ll be sound for Round 1

No Havard?

Byrne and Cooper to start

Ellis and Havard on the bench.

Won't happen however and Singo will play and continue to offer absolutely nothing to team. I'll await the "hE dOeS ThInGs yOu CaNt SeE" reply.

He does the little things not seen by us



He wasn’t the best against Salford. He has it in him to be a decent option. When he returned from his ban and he had a stint when we first signed him he was great for us. He needs to find that form again. I think they see him now as a bit of a leader when Cooper goes off.

I honestly forgot about him, he deffo goes in ahead of Singo for me.

Singleton looked very slow and lethargic the other day, can’t recall if he was at fault for Borough’s clean break.

Lost his starting spot too.

Wonder if he’s not had a good preseason?