GENTLE NAMES SQUAD FOR SEASON OPENER

Hull FC coach Peter Gentle has today named his 19-man squad for the trip to Leeds Rhinos on Friday in the opening round of Super League XVIII.

Gentle’s men will kick-off their 2013 campaign at the home of the defending champions live on Sky Sports and the Black and Whites boss looks set to hand competitive debuts to each of the club’s seven pre-season signings in the fixture.

Recently appointed captain Gareth Ellis will skipper the side for the first time against his former club while prop Paul Johnson, second row Richard Whiting and half back Richard Horne are all named after being given a run-out in the 60-14 victory over York last weekend.

Young front-rower Chris Green is also pushing for selection after impressing in the club’s pre-season friendlies, although forwards Danny Tickle (bicep) and Liam Watts (thumb) miss out.

Hull FC squad: Arundel, Briscoe, Crookes, Ellis, Galea, Green, Heremaia, Holdsworth, Horne, Houghton, Johnson, Lynch, McDonnell, O’Meley, Pitts, Seymour, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman

McDonnell
Crookes
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
O'Meley
Ellis
Galea
Westerman
Subs
Heremaia
Pitts
Johnson
Whiting

Thats some shift for Holdsworth!! Playing at 9 & 6!!

I would play Green instead of Johnson - got to play players on merit and he has performed better.

Shame Lineham isnt in either as i cant see how Crookes has earn his place over him to be honest

What no Lineham i would of had him instead of Crookes.

maybe Gentle is saving lineham for when there is no Crookes?

Agree with the previous would also have gone for Lineham and possibly Green on whats been seen pre-season.

Maybe Crookes has been more impressive in training thoughout pre-season? Gentle sees the two of them every day afterall.

Crookes competing against Ryan Hall under the high ball will be a recipe for disaster.

1. McDonnell
2. Crookes
3. Arundel
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe
6. Holdsworth
7. Seymour
8. Ogre
9. Houghton
10. Lynch
11. Ellis
12. Galea
13. Pitts

14. Green
15. Westerman
16. Whiting
17. Johnson

Don't see the need for 2 hookers in this game would much rather have a stronger middle and try to get on top of Leeds pack as Leuluai is a big miss for them plus it would keep our big guys fresher in the middle.

Tend to agree would start with Westerman instead of Pitts but i could see that being the starting 17

The L**ds squad in full is:

1. Zak Hardaker
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Joel Moon
5. Ryan Hall
6. Danny McGuire
7. Rob Burrow
9. Paul McShane
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Carl Ablett
13. Kevin Sinfield (c)
14. Stevie Ward
15. Brett Delaney
16. Ryan Bailey
17. Ian Kirke
18. Chris Clarkson
19. Mitch Achurch
20. Darrell Griffin
25. Joe Vickery

think we will have the stronger bench - could be important

at least we know Gentle doesn't use a bingo machine for his interchanges!

A back 3 of Ellis, Galea and Westerman doesn't have a very good balance IMO all 3 of them prefer to be wide running. Plus I think Pitts work rate in the middle would put him above Westerman who is pretty lazy when playing in the middle.