What a great head ache for Radders to have If 100% fit, Ellis plays ahead of Green for me. Though I wouldn't be too downheart it we stick with the same pack as Friday.

F**k this not winning malarkey - Payback for them beating us at the KC last game of last season - we need to win as Catalan are one of the teams who want to break into that illusive top four like ourselves

Well said Seb we should be going all guns blazing and I think we will, we have plenty of beef to take it to them we should fear no one.

Don't forget halibut screwed us last year with a good try ruled out

Hope radford reminds the players of that too!

If Manu fit then Ellis in for Green. Washy proved his worth last week by doing a half decent job in the centre. Priceless for a coach to have a flexible option like that - used to be Rich Whiting.

www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2987914 weather forecast seems to be favourable atm

www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2987914 weather forecast seems to be favourable atm

Whiting always did an excellent job but I know what you mean, we have certainly kicked on. Our squad depth is so good. So much so that people have compared it our 2006 squad.... I have watched a couple of our games from that season and what reminded me of our current squad is the line speed which is very fast and aggressive. We should definitely be going for a win and revenge is a good motive

My point about the winning is from fans. As players you go into every game wanting and believing you can win and I hope radford reminds them too. That's why you have a game plan to beat the opposition, but us fans know how difficult it is to win in France and many of us do think we won't/expect to win, it doesn't mean we don't think we can as I certainly think we can. It will be our acid test and will set a marker down and that alone is motivation, but if sika is fit then I don't see it important enough not to give ellis another couple of weeks especially when our forwards performed as well as they did. It is a great situation to be in, and if we do pull of a great win what a massive boost of confidence going into cas at home.

i see where you are coming from but to drop Green whilst playing well goes against everything Radford has been preaching.
In fact the the two most ineffective forwards on Friday were Mini and Watts but would you drop them for Ellis especially as he hasnt played a competitive match yet.
I agree with you about Washbrook but Houghton can do 80 mins so if Radford wants to give Ellis some game time then in my opinion Washbrook should be the one to miss out especially as we know how Big the Catalan forwards are.
In any case think about what the opposition think when they see Ellis and Big Frank on the bench ready to come on after 20 minutes

It's not a case of not wanting to win, but the realism that going away to Catalans is a tough place to go. A win would be fantastic but it's far from an expectation. A defeat should not really impact on the early season optimism.

Sure cats are one of the hardest teams to beat at there own place but I think we have a great opportunity to grab the points, they had a hard slog in the mud at Wigan last week so not much chance to use set plays etc... were as we got more chance to bed the new plays in and with having a week off afterwards we can really go for it. Now that Sika has been past to play I would leave Ellis to the Cas game so he can build up more fitness as our bench was fantastic last week I wouldn't change it.

[urlhttp://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-FC-charter-flight-Catalans-Dragons/story-28701961-detail/story.html[/urlAs a lot have said Catalans is a tough place to go and get a win. The first thing Radford said after the Salford game was about our poor record at Catalan and hopefully that will change on Saturday. To win on Saturday would not only give the players another lift but also the fans, keeping the feel good factor at the club and hopefully get another big crowd for the Cas game. AP has chartered a plane for the team to travel on Friday and come home straight after the game. Pearson is putting his money were his mouth is and know what an important season this is for Hull FC, trying to keep the same routine as any other away match. They have done all they can to prepare well for game and I think we can go their and win.

Its one of the tougher away trips of the season, but playing them in February with a bit of rain forecast is the ideal time to play them. I dont think they have anything in the backs to overly concern us. My only tweak to our usual game plan would be to send plenty of traffic in Carney's direction, if he has a quiet game we win imo. Win the forward battle and I think we will have a bit too much quality for them out wide, even without Fonua.

Hello Hullites,Yes the Dragons are definitely much better at home,but we are vulnerable early on.Compared with last season we have made some improvements such as the long overdue removal of Escare for hopeless defensive play,and it looks as if Carney is now fit.However, we have lost our brilliant second row-Taia and Whitehead- and it remains to be seen how good their replacements are.Our Props are good ,but both Casty and Anderson are injured.
We made a lot of simple errors in the mud last week,but our defence looked significantly better -and our attack significantly worse-than last year.
The match was very close last year-as was the game at Hull- and either side could have won.My friend is an F.C. supporter and we shall watch the game on Tele.
Saturday will be the 10th anniversary of the Catalan entry to superleague and not even the most curmudgeony "heartlander" can deny that it has worked.

with fonua out looks like micheals might play,hes the safe option imo, but would have been nice to see how Lancaster would have gone

I dont think Fonua is a big loss tbh. I know many have lauded his signing but i never got it. He's like a younger and greener Lineham who may develop in time but isnt any where near atm. Michaels whilst not being a big powerhouse built a decent pairing with Logan last year and offers more all round as hes better with the high ball and in defense

Going out with a mate on Princess Ave, which pub in that area or Newland would you think would be best to watch the game, Atmosphere etc. Game clashes with a football game, so want to make sure that it is on and have the commentary on also?

Probably Pearsons for Rugby, if not , Botanic will definitely have it on down spring bank, or just sack princess/newland ave off and watch in New Clarence in town, HD Projectors, decent picture last time I was in, foods good to

Couldn't disagree anymore. The difference of his returns and fast play of the balls against lineham is 10 fold. Made breaks or the forwards where powering forward against still moving back defensive lines or split markers every time. Also 2 games 2 tries is a decent start. But mostly it's just a shame having to break up new combos in the 2nd game in

I agree, much quicker into contact and got a quick play the ball or won a penalty (I counted 3 he won against Salford) due to his speed at wanting to get up. I also don't think Lineham would have had the mobility to get to the Houghton kick either

Ellis, Manu, Shaul and Michaels in the squad.

So looks like Michaels for Fonua. Shaul to play. The pack and bench is anyone's guess, but personally I would leave out Minichiello.

I'd certainly not leave out mini. His speed and footwork is an asset at the best of times. Against 1 of the few teams who can match us for size I'd look to use that. Nearly every week I'd use Washy off the bench. But on account of cats decent size and rain being due I'd really go heavy forward wise. Same 4 prop rotation. Ellis Thompson sharing 13. I'd prob start ellis with tommo coming on to add middle threat after the opening 'arm wrestle'

Bowden, Ellis, Green, Houghton, Logan, Manu, Michaels, Minichiello, Paleaaesina, Pritchard, Pryce, Shaul, Sneyd, Talanoa, Taylor, Thompson, Tuimavave, Washbrook, Watts.

Feka to miss out, but the other one is tough! Ellis has to play, does anybody deserve to be dropped after last week? The beauty with having a strong squad is that if anyone picks up the slightest knock, we don't have to play them anymore.

Not a bad call. I was concerned about what we would do if one of the backs got a knock but I guess if Thompson is in the side it gives us some scope to juggle about. Not sure who would play hooker if anything happens to Houghton though. Maybe Tuimavave, or Pryce with Tuimavave going to 6 and Thompson to centre.

I think it's a moot point anyway. I can't see anything other than Ellis in for Green, but I personally don't think he deserves to miss out.

I'd agree with Thompson and Ellis sharing, but to feel its harsh on Washy. Thought he filled in well when called up. I feel it'll be Thompson or Washbrook that misses out, providing everyone is fit.