I dont think we have signed Costigan, who is one of our biggest signings, to cover hooker and loose forward off the bench. Id expect him to be starting and i would think CS knows where he will fit into the picture. The fact we have a squad with so many options is reason for optimism rather than perhaps previously its been 'this our best 17' with average to inadequate back up

If our sole intension was to improve defence why didn't we go and get another centre to replace Welham?

Some good options. The larroyer signing I think is very strange. 2nd row isn't a position we are short in I believe. However the number of times I have seen him he looks decent, he was immense in Toulouse for les frogs last season. If Jordan cox plays like he did back end of last season then we have a potentially brilliant player on our hands

Is it just me or are others wondering why Liam Salter is not mentioned? one of our most consistant players last year. He did nothing wrong & improved game on game. In my team he would be in ahead of Gleeson.

Hodgson can practically do a full 80 mins, he would only need cover for a short spell, it makes sense to me. We have enough options in the pack that covering Costigan would not be a problem.

I think you can certainly make a case for him, he looked pretty good defensively I felt, but needs to improve his lines in attack and his service to his winger.

Depending on what goes on in pre season he could and should be putting pressure on both Welham and Salter.

Could,nt agree more. Pretty much go with the general opinion of the teams selected, but in my opinion Liam Salter has better defence than any of the selected first five. Obviously he wont get a go at fullback, and both welham and gleeson are defensively suspect. If his attacking flair can, or has been improved i would have him in front of them both.

1. Eden

2. Cockayne
3. Salter
4. Welham
5. Hodgson

6. Burns
7. Keeting

8. A. Walker
9. Hodgson
10. Poore

11. Cox
12. Costigan
13. Langley

14. Hall
15. Lovegrove
16. Weyman
17. Larroyer

1. Eden
2. Cockayne
3. Gleeson
4. Welham
5. Hodgson
6. Burns
7. Keating
8. A. Walker
9. Hodgson
10. Poore
11. Larroyer
12. Costigan
13. Langley

14. Carlile
15. Cox
16. Weyman
17. J. Walker

I prefer to see two props on the bench so favour J. Walker for the last spot over Lovegrove who I still think is an important member of the squad but should only be seen at second row. I'm hoping we have a lot more to see from Gleeson and a pre-season plus few games under the belt should show us why he was signed. Larroyer had a bit of a bouncy chest in the world cup but I reckon could be one of our best signings. We have plenty in the squad behind this lot who can do more than just fill in which is a first since we entered SL. Really looking forward to this season and expect us to win everything going. If we are anything less than stunning in our first game i'll be calling for Sandercock's head.

I agree with all of that. Well maybe not the winning everything bit!


There are a few either/ors, with Horne, Salter and Hall going close, in addition to those you mention. The idea of using Costigan to briefly spell J. Hodgson, getting another big forward on the bench, could work well also. Really grind the opposition down, hopefully.

It really won't, if I see Costigan going anywhere near dummy half The Sniper Skein will swing into immediate and devastating action.

Yeah, I'd go with something similar to BF's team above, because I'd rather have a 'real' hooker on the bench and be using Costigan in his best position. But the pay-off of being able to include 2 of Cox/Horne/Lovegrove on the bench wouldn't be insignificant. Especially early in the season, on heavy grounds.
Depends how many top quality minutes Hodgson can do at 9 and how Carlile is developing.