so what does everyone think the line up will be like? I have a feeling that it could be the strongest we have had in a while due to the fact that we are not playing another super league side in the pre season (still to be confirmed). A chance for alot the team to stake a place for the new season also. However I dont think Senior, Sinfield, Hall, Leuluai, Lauitiiti, Jones Buchanan (with Buderus, McGuire and Peacock out) will play. I would go:

1. Ben Jones Bishop
2. Lee Smith
3. Brett Delaney
4. Kallum Watkins
5. Zak Hardaker
6. Brent Webb
7. Rob Burrow
8. Luke Burgess
9. Paul McShane
10. Ryan Bailey
11. Jay Pitts
12. Carl Ablett
13. Chris Clarkson

IC. Callum Casey
IC. Kyle Amor
IC. Weller Hauraki
IC. Ben Cross
IC. Liam Hood
IC. Ian Kirke
IC. Brad Singleton

Hope everyone has a merry christmas and see you at Headingley on boxing day.

I agree with some of the players you don't think will play...but I would think Sinfield will play just so McDermott will have a better picture on the half back partnership to plan the rest of pre season training. Also I don't think Bailey will play seen as just a couple of weeks ago he couldn't run.
Correct me if I'm wrong but is this game now 4 subs only? I thought that was the big selection problem for McDermott heading into the game?

I have always thought that it would be normal rules apply towards subs in friendlies? I have added selections via a 20 man squad above. I didnt see the article about Bailey, thats why I have put him in to play. If thats the case then Kirke to start losing a IC down to a 19 man squad.

If some of this is the future of Leeds Rhinos then it doesn’t look too bad.

Hard to say really.

Trying to guess the squad for this match is practically impossible at the best of times, made even harder when we've got a brand new coach and back room staff & only one player taking part Internationally.

Probably easier trying to work out who's not playing, than who is. The only ones we know for sure are JP & Mags (goes without saying) and Buderus (not in the country)

Other than that I'd say pretty much everyone is fair game. Depends very much pre-season and impossible to guess how the new coach is going to treat the match. I personally would mark Senior & Leuluai down as "doubtful" (age) & have also heard Bailey wasn't running a couple of weeks ago.

The thing is we really don't know, he may well want to make this as close as possible to a starting SL team to give him something to work on for the rest of preseason, or he may want to keep as many "names" as possible away from danger. (Or of course any of combination of the two.) Don't know how he'll approach it.

The only one you could say is 99% on is McShane at starting hooker.

As Damo says though... Pretty pleased with the options available. (Except Smith. I really can't get on board with the Lee Smith fan club. I'm trying. Honestly I am.)

I have to say even with 9 of our strongest players out of the team it is still a decent looking squad that could easily do a job in Suoerleague, the future isn't as gloomy as some suggest imo.

Will Leeds still play Wakey on Boxing day from 2012 onwards?

Not much of a draw really...a Super League club vs a Championship club

was always better playing Cas on boxing day.

Turkey hats dusted down and thermals ready.

...by the way the Western Terrace will be close due to the work on the new big screen.

Wakefield by 30.

Really?

What's the update for TMFMISL?

Is the back/abductor problem still a problem?

What's the matter with buderus? Or is he just on his jollies?

Jollies I heard. A bit like Orford's, but he'll come back.

Good, must be hard coming away from the nice weather to the cold and snow

mrs having a baby

His wife is expecting over Christmas. One would assume that he wants the baby to be born in Australia, so he's waiting for the birth, then reporting to training in January. It was agreed with McClennan actually, McDermott is just honouring the agreement.

Fair enough you can't fault him for that, least mcshane will get a decent run out in a few of these frendlies,

Didn't Hood get more game time than McShane in last years preseason games? I seem to remember him appearing a lot. So you never know, might happen again.

Not sure to be honest, would like to see mcshane given a go but either way will give them both a chance to have a go.

Chris Clarkson won't be playing boxing day, he's out for six weeks

The squad in full is:

1. Brent Webb
2. Lee Smith
3. Brett Delaney
7. Rob Burrow
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Carl Ablett
13. Kevin Sinfield (c)
14. Ali Lauitiiti
15. Ben Cross
16. Ryan Bailey
17. Ian Kirke
18. Luke Burgess
19. Kallum Watkins
20. Weller Hauraki
22. Jay Pitts
23. Ben Jones-Bishop
24. Paul McShane
25. Kyle Amor
27. Zak Hardaker
30. Liam Hood

Sinfield confirmed at 6. Ablett at 13.

[urlhttp://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/15600.php[/url

WOW.

Thats the strongest line up for many a year

Pretty strong isn't it!!

Looking forward to seeing Hardaker.

Yup. Me too.

That probably confirms the thinking for the start of the season proper....looks like BJB will have to wait a little longer for his overdue extended run at FB. Centre or wing it is then for him; FB only if Webb (and Smith ?) injured.