crooks n lineham both broke through last season, and was fantastic. but they both were handed squad numbers for this season. and it wasnt till they proved them selves this year that they were considered first choice by gentle, so working by that model. i reckon Shannon will get the number 1 shirt.

McDonnell a decent pivot/good passing game? That has to be a joke - our attack used to come to a halt when he got the ball.

I really don't rate the guy that highly. In attack he isn't much of a threat, he isn't particularly quick or strong, doesn't score many tries, rarely backs-up & supports or gets on the end of grubbers. He's an elusive runner and very good at evading defenders with ball in hand, but that's pretty much it.

In defense, his one on one tackling is decent, he's alright under the highball, but has certainly had his moments. I don't think his positioning is that good when defending close to the line, not wanting to put his body where it hurts.

Yeah, Shaul for me (if you'd not already guessed).

The Chairman may influence team selection at some clubs but I don't want to see it at Hull FC.

Edited for accuracy.

Really enjoying Shauls injection of pace and his try scoring at a time when we look a bit toothless in attack.
But then I wonder if the loss of McDonnell is the key factor in our attack looking short of ideas. Shannons combinations with the pivots were starting to pay off and his entry into the line either side was a key factor in our three-quarters looking dangerous.
Is the answer to our attacking problems as simple as us just having that extra man arriving in the line with perfect timing? Maybe this is an attribute Jamie still can learn from Shannon.

We need 2 full backs in the squad and it's great to have competition.