G'Day, I am new to this forum and am new to Super league. I may well be the newest Hull KR fan. I do have a dumb question. These numbers that the players are given, are they the numbers that they will play in all year. eg, If number 26 is chosen in the starting team in round 5, will he wear number 26?

Yes, in the ESL squad numbers are given for the year. Think it was used to increase shirt sales etc, if your a fan of say Dixon and you buy a shirt with Dixon 1 on it then he'll wear 1 regardless of if he plays wing or fullback.

Why does it bother you so much?

I love this line.

The forum names are an indication of the topic of discussion you can expect, in this case the topic up for discussion is Hull KR. 1865 is talking about Hull KR, your the one bringing up Hull FC

. The forum names don't mean only fans of that club can write on there

Thanks for that, I can see how it would work from a marketing perspective. I'm sure there will be other little differences between the ESL & NRL that I will have to get used to. Cheers.

Quite correct.

So, 2...possibly?

Great argument.

The question should be why does it [inot[/i bother you?

Ok then, players we have who will play a number of games (10+) I would reckon Cox, Green, Welham, Salter, Ollett and Robinson.

Hallet looks a real talent, hopefully he'll get some time in the team this year and Esslemont and Gudzek will also play a handful of games.

A lot of this will depend on form of themselves and others in the team but in all likelihood I don't think it'll be far wrong.

If we're comparing ourselves to your team which is no doubt the angle you're taking then when was the last double winner or for that matter title winner that came through your academy, so yes we are producing, but we need to look to hang on to them a bit better.

Let's see who's system works the best this season. I am more interested in success. If that comes on the back of giving young local lads a chance, all the better. But only finishing 11th but being able to brag about blooding x amount of local youngsters is not my bag. I would settle for a top two finish or a cup over how many local youngsters we have any day of the week.

I know squad numbers have to be given and they may be irrelevant to how we line-up, however if the squad numbers are Chessy's current thinking for the team, it does throw up a few really interesting ones:

Dixon at Fullback - He could be devastating in broken play, but does he have the defensive and organisation skills to play there?
Blair at Standoff - He seems to be the incumbent, although Chester has said that it may change when Campese comes over. Competition in the halves is good, but a settled pairing ASAP is my preference.
Even if Blair is at standoff, no place for Welham at centre - As much as he may be training the house down, he will have to play himself into the team which can only be a good thing.
The pack lines up as expected, however I had assumed that Burke or Donaldson would play loose forward rather than McCarthy. Again the pack is interchangeable based on form and injuries, but that choice seems interesting.

Even though I think it will be a real struggle to make the 8 this year, I am missing rugby and am looking forward to next season.