Agreed. I also think Mago is fitter than you might think. Nearly a full half so far an as effective in the last minutes as he was in the first.

Thoughts on Smithies at prop?

I know that last season he was played heavily at 13 (i.e. the extra prop), but for me he's not big enough to keep going down the middle.

With Havard being out and Partington missing most of pre season, is he being tested as a 4th prop option.

Ellis, Mago, Byrne + another?

Doing well against Newcastle but then they're not a particularly big pack. Good leg drive though so would be interesting to see him against a bigger pack.

On Mago: Great offload in the 40th minute there...

Edit: You've missed Singleton out of your prop options.

Entertaining rugby - praise the Lord. I remember watching the Salford friendly last year and being bored out of my mind so very promising signs from a team missing so many.

Good first 40. Looked direct and inventive in attack and obviously nilled them in defence. Extra attacking option with Mago's offloads. 2 excellent ones, resulting in a try and a drop out. I liked KPP at centre and Miski looking strong. All the new guys have gone well and we certainly have some young talent coming through!

Yes I have. Thank you. I knew there was another one, but his name just wasn't coming into my head.

excellent

Yes, pleasing stuff. KPP and Miski looking strong, some good combinations between O'Neill and Shorrocks, Mago hard to put down and with a decent offload, Smith looking lively. Field has been fine so far, but I do worry that he looks a bit weedy.

Great break from Junior Nsemba there. Zach Eckersley has been impressive throughout the match too.

Done it again.

Seems to play what's in front of him really well.

Not sure what happened to him towards the end of the last season (probably Lam), but I'm hoping he'll really cement a spot this year.

Harvie Hill with some great runs.

Yep, there’s no need to flog Powell for 80 mins every week.