What I predict/What I would like:

1. S.Tomkins/Escare

7. Leuluai/S.Tomkins

9. Powell/Leuluai

14. Escare/Powell

Of course it is just possible that Wane does know who he wants, but has decided not to publicise it yet as he wants to keep them on their toes. It's also possible that as the shirt numbers haven't yet been announced that there may be a late addition to the squad.

Or alternatively we could could just conclude that the coach is clueless, as I see you have, as you do every time you post. Still at least you are consistent. You must have been gutted when we won the WCC

Escare,
Davies (Manfredi) Sarginson, Gildart,
Burgess.
S Tomkins, Williams.
FPN, Leuluai, J Tomkins,
Bateman, Farrell, O'Loughlin.
Flower, Tautai, Sutton, Powell.

I'd start with Joel at prop for his size. I thought the best front row in SL last year was at HullFC with Watts, Houghton and Taylor. They are big mobile and skillful. I think FPN and Joel could match that. We have to start with the front row getting on the front foot and we need to start big!

With you 100% Ted re our props need to play like props but I don't have the same enthusiasm for playing JT in the front row. I would have him starting in the second row because I think he lacks that bit of mongrel for a prop and I am with you our starting 13 needs to be bigger than we have been in the last few seasons.
I would put Bateman at centre when SOL plays and second row when SOL doesn't play with Farrell going to 13 when SOL is absent.

I think that is not far off what it will be except Cubb to replace J Tomkins. Joel might find his way onto the bench at the expense of one of the props as he can play prop or back row so it gives some cover in the pack. The wild card missing is Hamlin. He's a signing so he bound to figure sooner rather than later IMO.



I agree about starting big but it won't matter how we start if the tactics don't change and the props are always aiming for quick PTB's when tackled.

It is nice, for once, to be able to think about our strongest 17. As we found out last year it won't be the first 17 who decide if our season is a success but the whole depth of the playing squad. Hopefully, if players like Cain Barnes get a run out of will be as the most junior members of the team and not as one of many. I just hope that no one gets to say the average age of the team is just 21 again.

Hamlin will play when lockers doesn't;. There is also Isa as back up and Macaulay Davies who is also read for 1st team.

Why will Hamlin do that automatically? He's got no 1st grade experience at all. If Lockers is out we still have Faz, JT, Isa and Bateman going for the three back row places. Which two of that four miss out if Hamlin gets one of the three back row places and why?

Good point. Far too many times last year the physio picked the team rather than the coach.

After two horrendous years surely we’re due some luck on the injury front.

Will be nice to see the likes of Ganson, Sharrocks, Field, Forsyth, Wells, Woods, come in to a team loaded with first team talent. Rather than all being in the team at the same time due to injury.

Think the likes of these players can we like new signings if we bring them into the team correctly. Watched the under 19s GF the other day. Ganson, Field, Wells and Woods were outstanding.

Saw Hamlin the other day in the flesh, surprised how small he looked. Looks stocky on his frame, but he looks undersized to be a modern day prop. Honestly looked around 5'9/5'10.

He’s certainly not the biggest but after watching the YouTube footage of him that certainly isn’t a surprise. It’s impossible to tell how good a player he could be from Just highlight clips but he looks a bundle of energy.

A bundle of energy would be very welcome in our pack.