Tickle is by far the best goal kicker at the club so needs to do 60+ minutes and has proven he can do that time and again. He's moved to prop before during games and we haven't lost anything much. I like Whiting at 13 and with your scenario including Pitts (who I hope has bulked up) I'd prefer back row Tickle/Ellis/Whiting starting with a bench of Pitts/Galea/O Meley/Heremaia.

Westerman should start in front of Galea.

I've no problem with the signing, he can read numbers as well as any half in SL but I don't think he's a starter. Good back up though.

Plenty of options in the backrow, Westerman should stick to the right, Tickle and Galea left or right, Ellis and Whiting left, right and centre.

1. McDonnell
2. Crookes
3. Arundel
4. Yeamo
5. Briscoe
6. Holdsworth
7. Seymour
8. Lynch
9. Houghton
10. Watts
11. Ellis
12. Tickle
13. Westerman

14. Ogre
15. Johnson
16. Whiting
17. Heremaia

Cant believe a few people not having Westerman in the 17

1 Shannon m
2 crooks
3 Arundel
4 yeaman
5 Briscoe
6 holdsworth
7 Seymour
8 lynch
9 heriamia
10 Pitts/Johnstone/Bowden/green
11Ellis
12 tickle
13 galea

14 Houghton
15 ogre
16 watts
17 whiting/westerman

This is one version of about four team combos I could come up with. I put this team because its got a bench capable of changing a game. Danny Houghton shouldn't be playing every minute every week imo. Aaron is a better passer so I'd like him starting and get us moving forward, and Danny particularly on dry tracks would be great coming on 20 in. Think in Aaron and Danny we have the best hooker interchange in the league. Later on could bring azza back on at loose and run with both 4a bit. Don't like watts or ogre starting just smashing in against opposition big men when they're fresh. Watts against a tiring defence with his offload could be game changing for us and if I was a tired defender can't imagine many players I'd least want running at me all fresh and fired up than ogre. Westy is a great runner out wide and has moments of excellence in him. And whiting can pop out a pass or kick and contribute attack wise but on a bad day can hold your team together.
This is a pretty strong squad. Hard choices for gentle to make.

It's certainly harder to pick the 17 for next season than previous seasons which is a good headache for Gentle to have.

Look, I appreciate that you're feeling pretty miserable about your bargain basement squad and zero chance of achieving anything of note for several years to come, but you're just making yourself look daft now.

That was my thinking with the exception of the possibility of Whiting not being as talented as Westerman which to me he clearly is.

1.McDonnell
2.Lineham
3.Arundel
4.Yeaman
5.Briscoe
6.Holdsworth
7.Seymour
8.O'Meley
9.Houghton
10.Lynch
11.Ellis
12.Tickle
13.Whiting

14.Heremaia
15.Watts
16.Westerman
17.Johnson

Our pack is very strong, with some good competition in the outside backs as well. I've (just) left Galea out for Westy, but either have strengths which they can bring into the side. The whole back row 5 will have good game time this year. Lineham just in for Crookes, but I think Gentle will pick Crookes to start. Arundel/Crooks competition will be good also.

I think we have yet to see the best of Westerman. he is better played as a second row but needs good ball to work with. His attitude improved massively last year and was a notable leader on the pitch in defence and being vocal. I have no problem with all 5 been in the 17, Ellis, Ticks, Westerman, Whiting and Galea.

I went for Crookes initally as Lineham had the bad injury and I don't want him rushed back, once Lineham gets in he might not get shifted. The potential he has is massive, I think he could be as good as Briscoe and Hall.

I also wonder if we will go with one prop off the bench (Ogre) and have two back rowers with Tickle having a spell at prop.

Lynch
Houghton
Watts
Ellis
Ticks
Galea

Ogre
Whiting
Westerman
Horne/Heremaia/Seymour

I thought this was about Hull FC!!!!

Okay, if you want to bring Rovers into it.......

7th Hull FC
8th Hull KR (Just)

+ or - one place!

Thats how I see it, feel free to bring this post back up at the end of the season!

McDonnell
Lineman
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Seymour
Holdsworth
Watts
Heremaia
Lynch
Ellis
Westerman
Whiting

Houghton
Tickle
O'Meley
Johnson


That's what I'd have but I can't see Tickle not starting for Gentle, probably at the expense of Westerman.

McDonnell
Crooks
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Heremaia
Lynch
Houghton
Watts
Ellis
Tickle
Westerman

Galea
Whiting
O'Meley
Johnson