Fully agree. I wouldn’t consider Cooper for Cas or Penrith tbh but you could get him a few minutes in this one from the bench. Once Penrith is out the way, they could then look at easing him in but there is no need to rush him given how stacked we are in the front row. It’s really pleasing to hear he’s come on so well though because at one point it sounded like it could be 12-15 months of a job.

I don’t think Isa will need much game time prior to the Cas game. He’s a seasoned veteran pro and his game is all about effort areas and toughness.

20 mins either starting or off the bench I think will be enough, however I expect him to start against Cas and Penrith.

Walters was probably our most dangerous forward vs Wakefield but I still see him as the impact option to start the season off.

As the year goes on I wouldn’t be shocked to see a transition where Isa can’t get a place in the 17 when everyone is fit but I don’t think that will be the case for the first 3 or 4 months.

Totally agree, don’t wanna over react to a friendly hit out but was really disappointed in the pack last week.

Wakefield look hungrier, played the ball faster and had better contact.

Hopefully it’s just a one off.

Miski only playing in the reserves next week along with Cooper - might be touch and go for the WCC.

He does and I hadn't considered that he might actually be ready. I'm guessing it might be a little early for him but who knows? I suspect Thompson and Cooper will share the 'senior prop' role this year and spell each other in the team, injuries and availabilities allowing.

Fingers crossed on Miski. We’d have an interesting decision to make for that spot if he didn’t make Cas or Penrith.

Eckersley would be favourite I would assume.

think it's very difficult to see much in that performance without our normal exit strategy, we set up early hard yards with a mixture of Marshy Miski, Wardle, Keighran, Faz and whoever will be the other second row. Marshy as always been great at that and Miski was a bit of a game changer in the role I'm not sure how much we will miss King who was also solid in that area to say the least and along Smithies and KP who all added to it . It also makes the above more polished when Smith is directing things along with the extra threat outside with the players mentioned and Field and French. I also imagine that will all lend to Leemings style of play. Thompson Byrne blowing cobwebs off, Mcgilvery and Griffin are still as good as most early in hard yards.... I'm determined to be positive

Great point about the exit strategy.

I am still though concerned that we lost the contact in both attack and defence, however it was just a friendly so no need to panic.

as That mon says, big difference though between 5 young lads bringing it out and our 1st choice backs

I've posted previously that Miski earned his place on merit last year, to that point that the club had to make a decision on French (at 6) and Cust to leave the club, and fair play to the lad. His yards (along with the other mentioned) coming off our own line are invaluable

On Friday, we made very little yardage out of our own half but i thought Thompson & Walters showed glimpses of why we signed them. With Thompson, Bryne, Wardle all playing 1st game back after injury / long term absence, happy for them to get through the game with 20-30 minutes under this belts, and get that rust and cobwebs blown off

Surely brining in big powerful props would see us shying away from us using our backs to get us up field. Maybe explains why our props are now looking leaner and will be used more to cart the ball in the later stages of sets and maybe in the opponents half. Plus making them more mobile in defence as our middle is usually where teams target Wigan.

Harry Smith retains the goal kicking for the season.

Thoughts?