Looking on the bright side, I've never in all honesty expected anything but a loss this weekend, it's all about the performance and seeing promising signs against a good side. So (here's that bright side I promised) this just possible gives us a chance of seeing how 1 or 2 of our fringe players measure up in a game we're not expected to win anyway. Just because of how much change we've had in the close season, we're almost certainly going to improve as the season progresses rather than hit the ground running.

So Heremaia's not playing, Nicklas probably gets a run out after looking pretty good against Bradford and getting good reviews against York and Featherstone, if Seymour's out it's a similar story for Ellis. O'Carroll we could bring Green in, or Lynch do a longer spell, or even move Tickle up to prop and play both Aspinwall and Whiting.

After all the negative reception when he signed (myself included) Martin is probably the only one mentioned who I'd not see a bright side TBH, as it's the only one where we know the replacement isn't good enough nor likely to be. The others we at least can use the opportunities to better assess where we and some more of our players are actually at.

My biggest concern would be turn(style)er in the centres. He can't defend to save his life and wire will exploit it all afternoon. We always knew the squad was skinny as hell with no real cover and i think injuries will have a big say in how our season pans out.

Good to see we've finally rid ourselves of our scrum half injury hoodoo though

Have to agree. As I said in my post, at least with the other players supposedly out we can look at some new options to see how they do and give them a bit of experience, at centre it will just be a backward step.

As much as I'm gutted that we won't have a full strength team out, there is no one to blame and this is where our cover needs to prove themselves. Nicko is well overdue his chance in the halves, Turner has played in centres for us before (albeit a weak spot defensivley), and we have forwards who can fill in for O'Carroll.

We can't afford to move Tickle to Prop. Warrington have a good second row, and we'll struggle with both Aspinwall and Whiting up against Westwood, Waterhouse, etc.

If O'Carroll's out, bring in Chris Green.
If Martin's out, bring in Whiting (I don't think that Turner is up to it).
If Seymour's out, bring in Ellis. He should know the calls, playstyle, and want to grab his chance with both hands.
Presumably Nicklas will be in for Heremaia.

If the above are all out, I'd be looking at something like:

McKinnon
Sharp
Whiting
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Ellis
Lynch
Houghton
Moa
Manu
Tickle
Westerman

O'Meley
Green
Aspinwall
Nicklas

which isn't too bad, really.

Whereas Carvell/Morley/Wood etc. will be a breeze for Green?

I kind of see what you're saying about our back row struggling against theirs without Tickle, and I'm all for seeing Green given a go, but it's hard to say one is more pressing than the other. If we struggle down the middle they'll dominate regardless of who we play wider. It'll be interesting to see which way Gentle goes and who he has confidence in if we are without players.

Resignation mode resumed, and philosophical to boot:

Richard, darling, please will you step just one place outside and be centre again?

Whiting must replace Martin, no brainer.

Lets see what Sunday brings.

Although not ideal, this is a great test to see if the young players are ready.

By looking at pre-saeson I think Nicklas could be in front of Ellis to replace Seymour.

I share others worry about Turner in defence, could play Whiting there, but then you weaken the backrow.

If all three are out I would go with.

Mckinnon
Sharp
Turner
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Nicklas
Moa
Houghton
Lynch
Manu
Westerman
Tickle

Aspinwall
Whiting
Green
Ellis

No O'Meley?

I'm not to fussed, Turner for Martin, Nicklas for Horne, Ellis for Seymour, Burnett for Lynch, Green for O'Carroll, Cunningham for Heremaia, that's the point of a squad.

Disappointing to be missing players in round one but most teams have injuries. It's why we have a squad.

Hope the young lads show up well and the others are back in contention soon.

is chris bridge and simon grix fit????? just in my fantasy thats all

Mistake by me that.

O Meley for Ellis, Houghton to do the full 80.