For me , Connor has to be in the 13 , kelly 6 . Best in the league in that position. Wigan top , hull top 3 !

Its a big headache for Radford but what i dont like is trying to find a starting position for Connor and giving him the 6 shirt when we have in Kelly one of the best halfs in Super league.
Fonua is a beast at centre and will play and to be honest on present form both Tuimavave and Griffin are ahead of Connor for the other centre position.
it would have been even harder if Swift had played some pre season games because Radford would no doubt have played Swift in front of Faraimo.
I just wonder if there is a slight doubt with Shaul that he could play Connor then at full back.
I would go Ratu,Fonua,Tuimavave (for his defence) Faraimo with Josh Griffin on the bench to cover front row and backs.
It wouldnt surprise me to see Radford bottle it and start Connor at 6 with Albo on the bench which really doesnt help either player.

Don't think that is bottling it, in fact it may turn out to be the best policy.
Kelly fit and on form is our best player but no way can he maintain that all season playing 80 minutes. He plays very physical for a half back both attack and defence, is not so young any more and it takes its tole. He needs managing - what's the point him being great for 3 weeks then struggling for a while after or being injured.
So think it would work well to take him out of firing line first 20-30 mins and then unleash him. Worked great last year on the two occasions we did it.

Then gives option of moving Connor to centre or Griffin to do a spell at second row. Both our second rowers do big minutes so might be wasteful to have a second row on the bench. So having Griffin when needed to give them a break seems good.

Most importantly let’s see where we are at the 9 game point
Tells us all we need to know

The barometer.

It will certainly be an interesting game no doubt especially as the first meaningful game being the season opener. For me looking at the two possible teams I think across the board we do have the better 17. Whilst its a ground we have struggled on over the years we had success there last season, we have a settled HB pairing where as they have a new one which should be an advantage to us but could go either way and then the weather/conditions may well also have a say the outcome.

Whether Leeds are one of the big 4 or not AP has put a squad together that is a very good squad and more than a match for any other SL team. I know this does not mean we can expect to win every game etc but we should be more than able to hold our own and if I'm honest do think we have a good opportunity to get a win at Headingley.

Sounds like Fonua may be the one to miss out next Sunday, 3 weeks behind everyone else on fitness, according to LR.

If he's not fully fit leave him out. We have enough backs to cover him. Maybe target HKR for him. But again if a doubt leave him out

Well that would solve Radfords problem with Connor/Kelly using Connor at right centre which for me is his best position.
Use Tuimavave at left centre for his defence which leaves Josh Griffin on the bench.
No doubt heavy pitch so having Griffin covering as a replacement second row or back i think is the best option

Total RL writers not expecting us to pull up any trees.

rlhttps://www.totalrl.com/totalrl-writers-give-their-super-league-predictions/rl

Average placing between 5 and 6, so consistent with RLW. Makes sense.

Does everyone agree with the writers predictions of 5/6?

I think people are under estimating our recruitment, we could have possibly the best half back options in the league, as well as one of the best second rows and backs . I think if Bowden can get back to where he was were strong all over the park.

Saints, wigan, warrington will all do well.

Leeds need a big season but has there recruitment been enough?

Catalans are Catalans they flatter to decieve soon as the going gets tough they lose their heads, same every season.

Salford will mot repeat last season

Castleford will be weaker than last season in my opinion

I think top 4 should definatley be the aim

No I don’t agree with the placings. St’s, Wigan & Warrington are the ones to catch to an extent but do think our recruitment has been top drawer. Yes we may be one experienced prop short but as you say if Bowden can recapture the form previously along with Masi, Fash, Savelio, Ellis and the emergence of Brown we should be ok. The likes of Ma’u, Jones & Sao with the choice of Fonua/Griffin/Connor/Tuimavave & Faraimo/Naulago/Swift will certainly take some stopping.
We really do have a strong squad and options this season. Leeds have a lot to prove yet and not sure they have improved enough in terms of squad to be back up there with Agar at the helm. Cas I think have slipped back a little from where they were. Catalans well who knows one minute look world beaters then look awful. Salford will struggle to repeat last season with Hastings & Jones missing.
I’d be disappointed in anything less than 4th and think AP wants more than that to repay the investment in the squad from what he’s said so he must believe it’s capable of achieving.

League Weekly writers a little more confident in our chances

The only one putting us outside the top 4 is Andrew Voss - he also has rovers in 7th, 5 places higher than everybody else!
I wonder who he supports.