I think the issue in the first 25 was the lack of penetration from the middles... All three starting middles began the game at championship pace and intensity (particularly with ball in hand) ... I think Powell likes to play his halves quite flat, but that needs the defensive line to be in retreat... (disappointingly) the team didn't initially adjust well to that and Leeds intensity and line speed, and gave away field position and momentum.
That said... There was some real positives in the performance and i think adding the likes of McMeeken, Atoni, Storton, and/ or Pitts into the starting line-up for the middle of the pitch will make a difference.

Some good points made on here regarding our Boxing Day friendly.
Overall I was reasonably happy with our performance considering we have only been back since back end of November..

It takes time to weld a new half back partnership together and I feel we will have to be a little bit patient going into the new season before we start to see the fruits of Powells labour…
The warm weather week training in Tenerife will enable our lads to get some combinations going ..

As for our forwards.. I think they are in for a tough season and some will have had a taste of things to come with what I thought was a well drilled Leeds defence in the first half at Headingley.
We had some experience missing up front though with Pitts , mc Meeken Hood and Atoni all who have played SL.
Also unlike previous years when we tended to cobble a team together I actually think our team will be looking forward to testing themselves in what will undoubtedly be a much tougher competition.
Patience will be key to the season..

Not been given the 12 number to make up numbers. I think he’ll be in the mix week in week out when fit to be a starter

I agree.
The advantage of playing a full Leeds side was to see where we are in comparison.
Some of the players we know will be just outside the 17 showed up OK but only ok. Which is exactly what you'd expect.
If we just had one of them in I think we'd do well so that is a positive.
Max, Tom, McM, Storton and Atoni didn't actually need the test. We kinda know where they are.

It's not like he isn't in the mix but I think they'll need to use him wisely when we have Storton, Seth and Vagana who are much younger.

How I see him he’s the stalwart in the back row. He showed up great last year and I was glad he’s decided to go again another year. I think he’ll get plenty of game time next year

I did say that ‘I think’. I still believe that Griffin won’t feature too much this season and when he does it will be off the bench. Let’s not forget he’s part time assisting with midlands as a trainer too.

Just my thoughts. It makes no difference to me if he plays or not.

I thought he started the first half of season well and was great but he wasn’t as effective that second half of season personally and was just a solid performer. He should go okay in SL though as he’s used to it but whether he plays in starting team or bench I can’t see him doing near 80 like 2 seasons ago.

For me Griffin became a bit of a liability towards the end of the season. You could always rely on him to give a penalty away or drop the ball at key points in the game. We got away with that in the Championship, we won't in SL, for me he isn't a starter.

More or less sums it up for me however Leeds have been in pre season a month longer and looked sharper for it. When the season starts I am confident we will be able to rake them on bit we will have to be smart with the ball to come away with anything.

Sounds like Jarrod O'Connor did his MCL in last week's game so he might be missing for our repeat fixture ??

Talk of Frawley as back up hooker with Connor in the halves and Handley at centre which would not be my preferred choice wrt Handley.