You don't see the point in signing another hooker when we've got Houghton who can do 80 minutes, Seriously?
So if Houghton manages to play every game for the full 80. Do you honestly expect him to be fully fit towards the end of the season? He'll be burnt out ffs. Also what if he gets injured? We wouldn't have another experienced hooker to play? Come on think about it.
Can't just throw young Cunningham in there with no real experience and expect him to lead the team around the field for the full 80.

Fwiw, Heremaia has been a really good signing for us imo. Has good speed and passing accuracy, doesn't shy away in defence and seems a pretty clever player. Good signing for me.

Gentle himself has said that, although Houghton CAN play 80minutes, his effectiveness starts to dip and it would be a real plus when Heremaia was back from injury. He's right, too. I rate Houghton highly, but he can't do it himself to the standard he can when spelled, IMHO.

We went sideways when Danny was on and slowly. He scoots well and is a tireless worker but Heremaia ran straight and brought players on or passed sharply and accurately when he switched to 9. He's a good player and we should be using him in his best position especially when we're struggling with creativity.

McDonnell
Lineham
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Johnson/O'Meley
Heremaia
Lynch
Ellis
Westerman
Pitts/Whiting

Houghton
O'Meley/Johnson
Pitts/Whiting
Galea

Not sure whether to start Johnson or O'Meley, I'd like to think Lynch will be rested and would prefer Ogre out there when this happens.
Also good to have Pitts in the 17, can play prop or LF to tighten things up and really helps with the forward rotation.
I hope Gentle starts to play Westy out wide, preferably right with Ellis left, but I don't think that will happen.

1. McDonell

2. Lineham
3. Arundel
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe

6. Holdsworth
7. Heremaia

8. O'Meley
9. Houghton
10. Lynch

11. Ellis
12. Galea
13. Westerman

14. Pitts
15. Watts
16. P Johnson
17. Seymour

McDonnell
Lineham
Arundle
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Johnson
Houghton
Lynch
Galea
Westerman
Ellis

Heremaia
O'Meley
Pitts
Green

Surprised that people are putting a backrow of Galea, Ellis and Westerman because I thought our terrible start was down to only have 2 props on the pitch at the start. We looked far stronger down the middle when Pitts was on the pitch and then Johnson impressed when he came on as a 3rd prop.

McDonnell
Lineham
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Johnson
Houghton
Lynch
Ellis
Westerman
Whiting

Heremaia
O'Meley
Pitts
Green

Galea needs to improve his fitness before getting in the 17 IMO.
Westerman needs to consistently perform from round 1 or be replaced in the 17.

Yep, posted pretty much the same to be honest on Sunday night.
Still I'm looking forward to my trip to Leeds

Bang on as usual, Chief. Only question is Whiting's fitness.

agreed! I also think our attack looks better with Horne at FB

Horne
Lineham
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Omeley
Houghton
Lynch
Elis
Westerman
Johnson

Pitts
Galea
Heremaia
Green

I don't get what Westerman has to prove? He was consistently one of our best at the back end of last season, played very well against Cas and was by no means the worst on Sunday.
I'm just glad Gentle appreciates him, as he's said countless times.

Thought Whiting just had a concussion?

The great thing about this thread is the number of options that Gentle has. I don't remember us having so many options in so many key positions for years at the start of a season.

was arundel any better,would like to see horne given the 13 shirt its a natural move from stand off to the loose, seymour and holdsworth the halves