Starting 13 are good but bench a bot short on quality and experience then we're into inexperienced youngsters to cover the forwards if we get any injuries at all. 2 or 3 forwards injured and we could be in trouble. It seems a bit daft to let feka and frank go but not replace either but lose 2 backs and sign 4

This. A good number of times when they've ended up being man marked because the passing was too slow and Shaul has been left to try and create something on his own. However, there were times when if Shaul had taken a different option we could have created a chance. Things to work on though, and hopefully with Kelly it'll take a bit of pressure of Shaul.

Forgot about thompson so we have a bit of cover. I'd rotate ellis, mini and manu in the 2nd row and have washbrook and thompson rotating at loose man

Id like to see Hadley make a claim for 13. Think he could be the ideal replacement for Ellis if/when he retires next year.

We have a very good squad, Frank going actually gives chance for some of the others to step up and hopefully with Radford rotating the forwards a bit more more game time for the younger members and indeed more regular games for the likes of Thompson should hopefully mean we finish the back end of the season a bit better.
I still don't think we have any salary cap left of note for a mid season signing and the signing/quota spot of Michaels most certainly isn't wasted IMO, we wouldn't be able to get anyone better for what I imagine isn't a shed load.
Why do people think we have a lot of cap space left even if Michaels wasn't re-signed to get someone who would fill a quote spot and was more influential in the side as people seem to be alluding to such as another pivot player? Think Kelly is it with respect to signings.

I'd also rather Michaels was a starter, he can play either wing or centre so hope Radford sticks with the Fonua/Michaels combo but equally happy with Carlos/Michaels on the left Carlos/Talanoa, Griffin/Talanoa, I'd just rather not drop Michaels who is very reliable and is an excellent tackler as well as bringing the ball up well/generally very safe under the high ball.
We shall see after the pre-season and friendlies I guess as to what's happening.

Get the sense we'll go with Kelly-Carlos-Fonua at first. Excellent combination to put Kelly in today.

agree, thought carlos looked good today, the bloke gets a unfair rap sometimes imo,

Baring injuries, the starting backs today will start against Wakey, thought Carlos looked better and needs to do it more consistently.

I think playing Fonua on the wing, could be a cleaver plan, particularly if he plays centre at times like he did for his first try. Finally got some class,pace and skill in the backs.

Also thought Green went well and is pushing for a bench spot, first game I'd go with 4 forwards on the bench

At a guess:
Green
Bowden
Hadley
Washbrook

That's my bench, think the 17 picks itself, shame we haven't had a chance to see Connor.

Thought Thompson was poor again, had 3 games to stake his place and has failed to take it.

Think Thompson will become surplus to requirements after this season. If we get the chance to offload him I would and replace him for a prop.