looking at these teams and the variety of players folk have put in each one, we look to have the strongest squad for a number of years

Doesn't westerman have a ban for the first game? Or am I completely wrong

McDonnell
Crookes
Crooks
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Lynch
Heremaia
Watts
Ellis
Tickle
Westerman

Whiting
O'Meley
Houghton
Green

This for every week or just the first game? Houghton can't do 80mins every week and be effective as we like him to be.

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

Subs
1- Heremaia
2- Whiting
3- Galea
4- O'Meley

Oh no!

Galea must be in the 17 when fit IMO.

That'll do for me, would maybe like to see Galea out for Pitts and green occasionally but I'm sure injuries will take care of that anyways knowing our luck

1.Mcdonnell......... (was ok for kr but dont think he was ever happy there, think he'll find a new gear in a black and white shirt)

2.Crookes............ (good old fashioned try finisher, will have to play well all season to keep Lineham out the line up)

3.Arundle............ (might have a slow start after playing so little last season but should come good for his new club)

4.Crooks............. (picked in front of Yeaman, was a revelation last season and believe he'll go on to be a better player then Yemo provided he dosnt go back to reserve grade rugby)

5.Briscoe .............(Will score more trys this season despite Manu not being in the team due to an all round improved Hull FC attack)

6.Saymore ...........(although he was used as a scape goat at times last season, ive fingers crossed he's much improved playing a supporting role in a new half back pairing)

7.Holdsworth........ (brought in as a stand off in a season when Gentle thought he'd be bagging a new scrum half also. but as it stands he's gonna be our go to guy, and i expect him to be in at first man, call the plays, kick more than anyone else so its imperative that he hits the ground running and doesn't take an injury)

8.O'Meley............ (Happy we kept him, think he will have strong season)

9.Houghton..........(already an incredible pro, will get better too)

10.Lyinch.............(Captin fantastic, the stats dont lie)

11.Ellis................( all eyes on him. not just a world class work rate but vary able off load game)

12.Tickle.............(been solid for us ever since he joined, so dont expect any different this season)

13.Galea..............(runs some of the best lines ive ever seen and a great defender, fantastic signing. rovers loss our gain)

14.Watts
15.Whiting (versatile)
16.Heremia (versatile)
17.Johnson

some real talent not included...Yeaman, Westerman, Horne, Pitts, Lineham ect
injuries will allow these to prove themselves.

Are you saying Arundle and Crooks have proved themselves more than Yeamo

Yemo will get the nod in front Crooks but i think it could to the detriment to Crooks's development. i think Arundel and Crookes have been brought in to form a partnership of their own so should be aloud to do so.

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

joe arundel is a great prospect and can only get better he is a lot better than crooks before joe got his injurey he was playing for england knghts!!!!!!!!!

Got big hopes for Lineham. Been a while since we had a winger with that sort of physique. Back row is the most interesting selection-wise. Ellis and Tickle will start, I'd have thought, then 2 from Whiting, Westerman and Galea. Going by what Gentle's said about how highly he values Whiting I think he'll get the nod, leaves Westerman v Galea.

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

14..Houghton
15..O'Meley
16..Westerman
17...Johnson/Pitts

Think Houghton could be more destructive off the bench when teams are tiring.Hope Galea only plays due to injuries,that goes for Horne as well.

Players to come in....Horne,Galea,Crookes,Lineham,Kent,Green,Bowden,Johnson/Pitts all players with SL experience

It's a very very good squad and a nice blend of youth and experience, all things considered we might even be able to rotate players without having a detrimental effect on the overall performance (injuries not withstanding). Gentle's first season was excellent especially given the loss of McKinnon and the playing roster once again at breaking point, that said I expect us to kick on from that & if we can have our best 17 firing on all cyclinders and not completely spent come the play-offs because of having a stronger squad then I feel we can have a real chance of silverware.
Early season form will be vital I feel, more than ever despite the 27 friendlies that some RL fans are bandying around.
Can't wait to sort out my calendar and actually feel like the extra spend/time getting up to make as many games as possible this season will be worth it.

My team would be:

Mcdonell
Lineham
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
Watts
Tickle
Ellis
Whiting

Galea
Westerman
O Meley
Heremia

Only three props, but I think Galea or tickle could move to prop for one spell, not sure what role Heremia will play as playing Houghton for only 40 minutes is a waste, he is too good, Saints wouldn't play Roby for only 40 minutes and having Heremia on the bench for only a 20 minutes spell seems a waste, so maybe Johnson for the last bench spot.

That leaves some good quality SL players not playing like

Johnson
Crooks
Crookes
Horne
Pitts
Green
Bowden

Galea can't play prop.

And Tickle dosnt like playing prop

And with 7 props in the squad, I would guess Gentle intends on playing 4 of them

They'd both do it, I've no doubt they'd run into a brick wall if PG asked them, but Galea just couldn't play there effectively.

I'm amazed how little Pitts is rated.

This is the novelty of hopefully/supposedly having a squad with a bit of depth. We'll have to get used to seeing players playing in their correct positions rather than just the "best" 17 players based on their status/standing/experience with some out of position. This will mean , if everyone stays fit , seeing some "stars" out of the 17. We've not had this luxury for a while and it may not last but it will be interesting to see whilst it does if PG goes "horses for courses" , rotates players or sticks with a winning side.

I think we will see PG stick with any 17 players that earn the shirt during the weeks training and performances. We will no doubt see most players in the squad in the 17 during the season with injuries and suspensions etc. For me though this is the first time in years when you can actually look at the whole squad and find it hard to pick out the 17 rather than the last few years where you could pretty much bet your life who would be in the 17 each week.

Can't wait for the season to start, especially at Headingly.

There seems to be a general concensus of opinion as to who the starting 17 will be with the exception of which 2 from 3 of our loose forwards will get the nod to play alongside Ellis and Tickle in the back three.
Listening to the noises from our coach who is delighted how tight a unit Lynch, Ellis and Galea have become and how their experience can guide us round the park, i think Galea and Westerman may start the season with Whiting sitting it out.
As Whiting is only recently back into full contact training he will probably be a bit behind the others in terms of conditioning so maybe not a bad thing if he is eased back in after the first couple of SL matches. Same goes for Lineham who i rate highly but think Briscoe and Crookes will probably start.
Anyway, roll on February and we'll soon find out. Can't wait, I've got my thermals warming on the radiator already!

McDonnell
Crookes
Arundel
Yeaman
Briscoe
Holdsworth
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
Watts
Tickle
Ellis
Whiting
Green
O'Meley
Heremaia
Galea