For me he doesn't have the dynamic impact that would would like from someone coming on from the bench.

I am not saying it is inconceivable but I agree he is a better option as starting prop. Ideally Havard joins Mago on the bench and we should see a rea change in the game if we can get that rotation functioning and fit.

I think there's an element of if you want a quick start and early domination or a settled and controlled start with impact off the bench. We have opted for the latter and, so far at least, it seems to be working for us. It's interesting to note that Saints start with their most destructive prop and look to get dominance early. I think we could adopt the same style once a fit and firing Havard returns. I'm not sure we have enough big yardage or destructive props to do that at the moment.

Down the pecking order at the moment but I think it's safe to say Leuluai won't be playing every game this season so I'd imagine he'll be back in sooner rather than later

He is where he should have been last season in that he will play a handful of games that we should win and where he can just play his game.

Unfortunately he ended up playing all last season behind a pack that got stuffed.

The big one for him will be what we choose to do with a fit French and Field as one may move to the halves which would move him down the order again.

I’d probably just consider splitting what looks to be two more impactful props on the bench and go Ellis and Byrne and Singleton and Mago in pairs. One reason for that would be that I always think you should earn a start and look to push people by offering that carrot. I think Byrne did that last week and Singleton not so much. I also think Singleton playing off the bench with Mago could help him. If you’ve got that impact Mago is bringing, you’ve got good go forward and good attacking options and then just to have a steady player like Singleton at the side of him (low errors, good defender, good talker etc) makes sense to me.

I absolutely agree on Havard by the way, bar maybe he’s a man to start with Ellis if you want a couple of long spells and then Byrne takes a bench spot again with Mago. The long and short is that Singleton will need to produce more than these first two weeks to hold a spot in the 17.

Because he doesn’t work as an impact player.

What's the call if we go four forwards on the bench when Havards back?
Start with Ellis Havard, ..bench ..Mago Smithies, Byrne and Singleton.
Obviously when French is back and fully fit do we go Cust 7, Field at 6, and carry an extra 9 in Tommy off the bench? Also that does give the option of playing Powell Tommy Cust then run Field and French like two full backs. If you could do that with Mago Bateman and KPP off-load games it would be hard to defend.
Whatever they decide that leaves plenty lads pushing outside the 17 Miski Thornley Partington Shorrocks looks so much stronger now.

When was the last time Tommy played 9? 2019?

I don’t think he has the engine to defend in the middle anymore.

We’ve gone with Shorrocks and Hastings at 9 in the last few years rather than Tommy going there.

I personally wouldn't be moving Tommy anywhere at the moment. I think he has had an excellent start to the season and probably gets on the team sheet on merit at 7 regardless of who is fit and who isn't.

There may be a dip in form at some point but for now he has to start at 7 with Cust at 6. I'm comfortable with him having a rest and trying Field at 7 but only when the game is won.

Agreed. Tommy, Cust and Field need game time together as that's our strongest spine imo. Let them get a level of comfortability (in prep for the business end) and then look at switching.

Pointless having Singleton as a bench forward - he offers nowt in that respect, it would only ever be a steady the ship introduction. I've said elsewhere that for me he starts or isn't in the 17. FWIW I think he will be lucky to stay in the 17 if Havard can produce the type of form from before his first injury - Ellis, Byrne, Havard, and Mago would be up there with the best prop rotation in the league IMO if they can stay in relatively good form.

Weather looking pretty grim for tonight, any win will be a good win

Would have said that before the weather forecast.

Just about winning games at this stage and building on partnerships, working on little things etc.

Nah SkySportsLeedsRhinos don’t put our games on.

Just every single Leeds match until April!