Here we are then start of the new season. What's your team to start? Assuming no new injuries and everyone is fit
Walker
Mac
Tuime
Sutcliffe
Martin
Hoy
Smith
Ese
Houghton
Pele
Oku
Ashworth
F Brown
Subs
Sao
Fash
Brown
Scott

Walker
McIntosh
Tuimivave
Sutcliffe
Martin
Smith
F brown
Ese ese
Houghton
Pele
Okunbor
Sao
Fash

Subs
Balmforth
Ashworth
Scott
Cator

I’d go with this team too.

Walker v HIKU
Mac V EVALDS
Tuime V GILDART
Sutcliffe V OPACIC
Martin V HALL
Hoy V MIKEY LEWIS
Smith V MAY
Ese V KING
Houghton V PARCELL
Pele V WHITBREAD
Oku V BATCHELOR
Ashworth V TANGINOA
F Brown V MINICHELLA
Subs
Sao V SUE
Fash V LITTEN
Brown V HADLEY
Scott V AYDIN/FISHWICH OR TENNISON

Think this shows that rovers are ahead of us at the moment. But it’s down to 80 minutes where anything can happen. Their backs are electric but lack a certain balance for me. I’d be targeting gildarts poor D and making Hiku run (I’m not sure he has the engine but time will tell). Lewis Martin will need to be on form to keep Ryan hall at bay. Their backrow is tidy but apart from that, I’d back our pack

If everyone is fit I'd go:

Walker
Martin
Sutcliffe
Carlos
Mcintosh
Smith
Brown
Ese'ese
Houghton
Pele
Okunbor
Ashworth
Fash

Sao
Brown
Cator
Scott

Question marks over Scott, Fash and Carlos though.

I don't mind that team, just think Smith will go as big as possible for the starting pack. Shows we're at least one forward short with us asking Sao and Ashworth to probably do a stint at SR and prop.

Hoy is wasted in the halves and should be nowhere near them, hes better from full back linking in. We havent won one game with him in the halves. Lets not move him for the sake of it.

Hoy
Martin
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Macintosh
Smith
Brown
Ese Ese
Houghton
Ashworth
Okunbar
Sao
Fash

Subs
Pele
Brown
Cator
Lane

How many games did Hoy play 6, I remember the cup and Hudds at home, where he played pretty well in both.

Think we will likely see Walker at FB with Hoy in the halves alongside Brown, though I wouldn't rule out a Smith/Brown halfback pairing.
We still look weak in terms of second row options, Lane has been disappointing for the last 2 seasons at least and just can't see him improving enough to warrant being in a SL 17, which means we would need Ashworth or Sao & Ockunbor in at 11 & 12.
LF is another area where we lack any real genuine threat so possibly Smith/Hoy in the halves with Brown at 13 could be an option though unlikely.

A few permutations

Hoy/Walker
Martin
Carlos
Sutcliffe
McIntosh
Smith/Hoy
Brown/Smith
Ese'ese
Houghton
Sao/Ashworth
Ockunbor
Ashworth/Sao
Cator/Fash/Brown

Pele
Fash/Cator
Brown J
Scott/Smith

Difficult to predict a 17 with such a high turnover of players and lack of games to base our first team selection of the season

Martin and Hall both on left wing so opposite sides. Martin will be up against Evalds

I actually prefer Ligi in 2nd row or loose man alongside Okunbur. Stronger than last years IMO, Don't see why people keep putting Brown 13 he will play 7 or 9. Team depending on fitness of Smith, Carlos and Scott toss of a coin.
Walker
Macintosh
Carlos/Scott
Sutcliffe
Martin
Hoy
Brown
Pele
Houghton
Ashworth
Sao
Okunbur
Fash
Subs
Scott
Smith/Cator
Brown
Ese'ese

As usual Rovers will score first early in probably a tight first half
Second half similar to Wigan where their fitness and pace will take over

You may be right. But come on don't be such a defeatist before we start. Let's at least give the lads a chance. You never know they might surprise you