I wouldn’t have George Burgess play first team until he’s proved his fitness in the reserves after his debut, I’d rather play Kilner who’s been killing it in the reserves and deserves his spot over Burgess and Flower.

What for?

A good tackle presumably...

Think I’ll give up on the game if Isa picks up a ban for that.

Didn't happen. Finished the cleanest player on the pitch.

For me...

French
Marshall
Hardaker
Bibby
Burgess
Hastings
Lealuai
Bullock
Powell
Byrne
Farrell
Smithies
Flower

Smith
Isa
Burgess (Havard)
Clarke

Keep Smith out the way for the first 20. I’d play 3 props to begin with to combat Hulls size. After 15-20 mins I’d bring on Isa for Flower and push Smithies to 13.

I can see the point about resting Smith against FC with their big pack, but, on the other hand, a good kicking game will be needed more than ever against them, and he is our best kicker. I agree that Joe Burgess was improved, if not brilliant, against Toronto, and I don't think Manfredi looked ready for first team rugby anyway, so I'd stick with Burgess and Marshall for now. Greenwood should clearly not be considered.

The Hull pack probably won’t be anything bigger than the Cas and Toronto packs that Harry Smith has faced looking at the news on their squad. I’m pretty sure Lam will go back to Powell at nine and move Leuluai in to the halves but I wouldn’t have as many worries about playing Smith as I would if they were at full strength. It sounds like Saints got plenty of joy out of Fonua’s side yesterday, so if he’s in again we’d want to be turning him round and getting him chasing kicks back towards his own line.

Agree about turning around Hull's big men. Tommy isn't the 7 who can do this. His kicks usually go straight into the fb/wing hands giving them a fast return on kicks. Kicking the ball into Shaul's hands is giving up 15 mtrs. Smith's kicking v Toronto was good in pinning them down with tackled behind their line, O'Brien knocking on and also getting tackled on his own line.
Lam may start with TL but Smith should play the larger part of the game at 7.
I've changed my mind about playing Smith now Hull seem to have a mounting injury list.

Think Smiths been a positive so far this year but I think Lam will bring Powell back in and Tommy to 7. Smith has been great with the ball but poor defensively.

French
Marshall
Hardaker
Bibby
Burgess (last chance whilst Manfredi has another week getting up to speed in the reserves )
Hastings
Leuluai
Bryne
Powell
Bullock
ISA
Farrell
Partington

Smithies
Clark
Clubb ( again last chance before GBurgess is back)
Smith (in case of an injury)

Even if Burgess isn’t ready I’d have Havard or Kilner ahead of Clubb

Kilner has done well, no doubting that. Byrne and havard are still in front of him though i think at the current time, and they didn’t get picked last week so cant see how kilner gets in. Its 4 forwards on the bench and an arm wrestle, the result is more important than the performance.

Anybody thinking we should move French to 6 and Zak to fullback? No me neither.

Don't know how we will line up for the game at the weekend. Starting to pick a lot of injuries up now.

Ratu Naulago
Tuimavave
Houghton (Possibly)
Bowden
Satae (suspended)
Manu Ma'u
Jordan Lane
Savelio
Faraimo

Hard to predict our side!

1 - French
2 - Manfredi
3 - Hardaker
4 - Bibby
5 - Marshall
6 - Hastings
7 - Leuluai

8 - Bullock
9 - Powell
10 - Byrne
11 - Farrell
12 - Isa
13 - Partington

14 - Kilner
15 - Smithies
16 - Havard
17 - Clarke