Since scrums finally became an irrelevance over 30 years ago, I no longer see the difference between a Prop and a Second Row.

To me all props/second rows are interchangeable. Typically, they all make a drive in a set of six and all are involved in tackling.

It’s like what Billy Connelly says about Mexican Food, you can order whatever you like off the menu, but ultimately it’s just folded differently and tastes the same.

Hookem has to start for me - keep Connor at 1, Shaul on the wing and Houghton at 9. We're playing well now we're back to basics and any disruption would run the risk of undoing any of the good work. This needs to be a game where we keep it simple, play out the sets and hopefully the game takes care of itself.

I agree. We played well last Sunday. We should make minimal changes. Hookem and Wynne in. The rest stay unchanged.

Well every top level coach disagrees with you. Back row and front row remain different positions.

And Billy Connolly knows nothing about Mexican food.

If Ligi has a minor AC joint issue he should be good to play. Payne Haas suffered a similar injury and isn't expecting to miss any games. The link explains it better The guy is well worth a follow if you've got twitter https://twitter.com/nrlphysio/status/15 ... _bX3g&s=19

If Ligi has a minor AC joint issue he should be good to play. Payne Haas suffered a similar injury and isn't expecting to miss any games. The link explains it better The guy is well worth a follow if you've got twitter https://twitter.com/nrlphysio/status/15 ... _bX3g&s=19

Wynne is back this week.

So looks like the only decision is who plays 7.

We would all like to see Hookem given a game but i wonder if Hodgson will play it safe and use Houghton in the halves.
Interesting to see if Talentboys opinion that Connor only plays well against lower teams is seen on Saturday

Think it would be harsh on Hookem to not give him a chance on Saturday, our best player by some distance in his only start for us (albeit been the best in that game wasn't hard to beat). It's an ideal opportunity to give the young lad a go.

HDM: "Hull FC will name youngster Jacob Hookem and Davy Litten in their 21-man squad to take on Toulouse Olympique this week. The young duo impressed in the Championship with Whitehaven and will now be in contention to play for the Black and Whites on Saturday."

So if we re-ran two previous games and you didn’t see the team sheet, would you be able to tell the difference between the game when Ligi Sao was playing Front Row and when he was playing Second Row?

The difference is how well "props" defend when playing wider out, which is where second rows tend to be, supporting their halfbacks and centres.

Sao played in the middle in the last two games. He played in the second row against Leeds and did very well out of position. He is a quality player Ligi and can play front and back row.

Now, if you'd shown me the team sheet for the last two games without positions I could tell you exactly where on the pitch Hodgeson wanted Manu Ma'u to play. And I would have been right. In fact every one would have been right apart from you who would be scratching your head as to why he wasn't in the middle and Kane Evans wasn't over on the left.

Squad is in. Same as the Cats game for me, with Wynne and Hookem in for Mitch and Reynolds.

I'd be tempted to play Balmforth off the bench instead of JJ too.

I think this game will be a test of our consistency levels. Play like we have against Cats/Wire/Hudds at home and Leeds we should be fine. Serve up HKR or Cas performances and we could be in trouble.

Wynne and Hookem in for Mitch and Reynolds. Hope he goes that way. Rest be the same JJ done well to be fair.

No against JJ on the bench, just excited to see if Balmforth can make the step up and this seems like the ideal game.

He seems to be ripping it up for the academy

Perfect opportunity to see what Hookem and Balmforth can do, particularly with some big decisions contract wise coming up.

I expect only Hookem to play though.

I'd like to see Barron - maybe give McIntosh a rest

I don't think we can risk too many kids.

We have a week off next, plenty of time for resting players

3 kids out of a match day squad of 17 is fine. It's when you have to play 8 or 9 at the same time that it can be bad. Around 14 other high quality players would be fine.

Litten
Barron
Carlos
Wynne
Shaul
Connor
Lovodua
Sao
Mint
Evans
Ma'u
Lane
Brown

Satae
Taylor
Balmforth
Fash

That would be good to see IMO

Completely agree. We've already got 9 unavailable, need the best we have out there

Connor won’t be moved to stand-off.
More likely to play Houghton at scrum half, he has recently.

Think it’ll be
Connor
Barron
Carlos
Wynne
Lovodua
Houghton
Soa
Johnstone
Satae
Mau
Lane
Fash

Brown
Taylor
Evans
Hookem
Move Hookem into the halves when, hopefully we’re in a commanding lead. The pack should be far too strong.

Just hookem to half back for me,just noticed gigot is 5th in try assists so they could have the edge at halfback so we really need the forwards to get on top . Hope it's not one of those frustrating games then we tend to produce every so often and especially with it being kid for a quid so could be a decent crowd

Unless injured play your best team. Why give 3 weeks off when we have a bit of momentum going. We need to keep going.

Agreed, after Saturday we only have two games in five weeks so they'll all have plenty of rest next month. We should field the strongest team available against Toulouse.