We’ll see at least one of them I’d imagine. I saw an interview with Miski from the media day and he said he should be ok for Cas but it didn’t sound certain that he’d get minutes in this one and if he does, I can’t see it being a full games worth.

As for the team, the 1-7 picks itself (if Miski does start), so it just looks like the make up of the pack up for debate. I’d imagine Byrne, Thompson, Farrell and Ellis will be 4 of the starters, so it’s just then a choice of Leeming or O’Neill and Isa or Walters. I’d personally be starting O’Neill and Walters in the opening few weeks of the season (including the WCC).

I wouldn’t see the point personally of starting with Walters and Leeming.

O’Neil and Isa are tougher and superior defensively and should start whilst the intensity of the game in the initial exchanges is at it’s highest, once we take the sting out of the game Leeming with his superior attacking play around the ruck and Walters coming into an edge with his size will be challenging puzzles to solve in attack against tired Leeds who have been accustomed to more conservative style players for 20-25 minutes.

Not sure how we will line up really for the game against you guys - most of the first teamers got 30 minutes against Doncaster last week, and he has said it will be a strong line up on Sunday. The pack is bigger this year - we have added 4 guys who are 6"2 or bigger, and we've added some pace with Tindall and Walker, but hard to call how we will go this uear - but hoping for a good game and give Tag a good round of applause (think hes getting some minutes as well!)

O'Neill deserves the starting shirt, not only on his previous work for us but I thought he was the better of the two at Wakey as well and as you say, I think he suits the starting role and Leeming the bench role, more than the other way around.

I'm a bit less sure on the Walters/Isa pick. I do think Isa will get the start but I was massively impressed with Walters on Friday and I would like that extra threat he'll bring right from the start. The question marks I suppose are on his engine and what sort of defensive intensity he can bring compared to Isa. Either way he looks a fantastic bit of business and with guys like French and Field supporting around him, he should have some big moments for us this year.

I think, in the absence of Harvard and Cooper, Thompson, Byrne, Dupree and Mago are the props. Probably Hill or Eseh if we go with a 5th. O'Neil to start at Hooker with Leeming on the bench. 2nd row of Farrell and Walters with Isa on the bench, although it may be Isa to start for the reasons Jonh has stated. Ellis at loose.

As this is a friendly, though, are we not playing unlimited interchanges?

I wonder if Cooper will play any part at all? There has been talk that he’s on course for the start of the season, so we’ll see. I saw pictures of him in training and he’s another who looks as fit as a fiddle.

Agree re Cooper. i think he's ahead of where it was initially thought, and as you said looking fit. However, there's the subtle difference between fit and match fit (contact ready) and i do feel he will need either a bit of a run out this week or a couple of blow outs in the reserves before he makes a first team start, if nothing else to give him some confidence going into contact

Given we have Dupree, Mago, Thompson, Byrne, Chan, Ellis, Hill and Eseh all fit, there's no major need to rush, unless is is ready. I think Thompson and Byrne may like some extra minutes this week to continue their rehab and return to full fitness

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