Thornley was brought in as a direct replacement for Carmont so would like to see him establish a partnership down the left with Pat without swapping and changing every week between him, Gelling and Hughes. I see Hughes more as a back rower. Putting rumours of injury to one side id go

Sam
Josh
Goulding
Thornley
Pat
Green
Smith
Prescott
Mike Mc
Mossop
Hughes
Farrell
Lockers

Dudson
Taylor
Flower
Logan/Powell ( cant decide on a straight swap for Mike or move smith to 9 and Powell to the halves)

Not seen any of the trial games but from what has been said I'd go:-

Sam,
Charnley, Goulding, Thornley, Richards,
Green, Smith,
Prescott, McIlorum, Mossop,
Hughes, Farrell,
O'Loughlin.

Dudson, Taylor, Burke and Powell.

Thornley at centre over Hughes who's a 2nd rower.
Hughes 2nd row in front of Gelling.
Two props on the bench is a must with Burke as 3rd forward.
Powell can provide cover at 6,7 & 9. Has to be in there IMO.

I'm not sure what I'd do if Sam's out injured, Murphy dropped far too much ball in the friendlies. Perhaps a Gelling-Thornley partnership on the left with Richards at 1. Anyone seen much of Burgess?

Burgess is not ready yet for me.
12 months before SL for me (unless we get the chance to play him/Hampshire etc in any potentially one sided games in CC or late SL games).

I'd agree with all that. Can't see it though. Hughes has the no 4 jersey and I'd be surprised to see Wane not play him there despite the fact I think your team is has the right players in the right places.

And with no disrespect tot Salford who have been rebuilding (to put it mildly) if players like L Tomkins and Burke are going to get games this season it's against sides like Salford to give them a go.

I think Burke has earned a bench place from his performances. The fact that he can play prop, second row or loose forward is a big bonus.

For the same reason I would have Powell on the bench as he can play 6,7 or 9. I know that's a bit harsh on Logan because he has also done well in the "friendlies"

The centre position is still the one that bothers me most, of the three Hughes, Thornley and Gelling, I'd probably go with Gelling for his aggressive running.

We had better hope that some of the youngsters can exhibit "Sam like" abilities to step up a level.

What a woefully weak squad.

Good job the standard of SL is utterly pathetic or we really would have mid table mediocrity to look forward too.

What's up with Lauaki?

He was stripped to play last night but put through what appeared to be the most half-hearted fitness test on the pitch at half-time followed by being ordered by different medical staff to jog up and and down the touchline for the first ten minutes of the second half before disappearing down the tunnel without playing any part in the game.

Going off body langauge and generally lack of effort being put into his warm-up didn't look at all happy at being there.

Assuming we have not picked up any extra knocks I would go with

1. Sam
2. Josh
3. Goulding
4. Thornley
5. Richards
6. Green
7. Smith
8. Prescott
9. McIllorum
10. Mossop
11. Farrell
12. Hughes
13. Locky

14. Tomkins (expect big things from him this year)
15. Gelling
16. Dudson
17. Taylor

Gelling as the impact back row forward.

Has Gelling got the frame to play in the back row?

I now that SW touted him for a forward role, but he looks a bit gangly to me.

Has he beefed up pre-season

He has played nearly all his rugby before Wigan in the back row. I personally think we will need his yards down the middle.

Shaun Wane has already said that he will replace like for like and won't move players out of position so that would rule out switching Richards to fullback and would suggest that Murphy and Tierney are backup for Tomkins.

Murphy seems fairly confident under the high ball but when the balls on the ground he seems to panic.