What would yours be for next season when we are back to full strength. Obviously we will be without of JJB until March, Ward until May.

Hardaker
Briscoe Watkins Moon Hall
Sutcliffe McGuire
Galloway Falloon Singleton
Ablett Ferres
Cuthbertson

Burrow Delaney Garbutt Mullally.

March - Mullally out for JJB.
May - JJB out for Ward, Cuthbertson to prop and singleton to bench, ward at loose.

Is sutcliffe due back for the start of the season?

Yeah he's in full time training and looking at Bradford friendly.

Hardaker
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
Sutcliffe
Mcguire
Galloway
Falloon
Singleton
Ferres
Ablett
Cuthbertson

Subs
Burrow
Delaney
Garbutt
Mullally

Ward and JJB will be in when they get back

Hardaker
Briscoe Watkins Moon Hall
Sutcliffe McGuire/Lilley
Galloway Falloon Singleton
Ablett Ferres
Cuthbertson - capt

Burrow/Golding, Delaney ,Garbutt, Mullally.
March - Mullally out for JJB...but not if he is playing out of his skin.
May - JJB out for Ward, Cuthbertson to prop and singleton to bench, Ward - capt - at loose.....rather ruthless if the incumbents are all playing out of their skins.

And maybe Keinhorst has played himself into a position where he cannot be dropped either.

Would have Garbutt start ahead of Singleton as he's already shown himself to be a big metre maker who can do 100m games.

I know it was only one friendly but if Singleton outperforms Galloway in the other friendlies then perhaps it's the latter who starts on the bench to begin with.

By the time we get to JJB and Ward returning we'll have a better idea of who is performing and deserves to stay in as well as inevitably some guys picking up injuries too. If we somehow manage to have a clean bill of health then it offers us the chance to rotate guys out and avoid the likes of Ablett doing a full season again.

At absolutely full strength:

Hardaker
Briscoe Watkins Moon Hall
Sutcliffe McGuire
Galloway Falloon Cuthbertson
Ablett Ferres
Ward

Burrow JJB Singleton Garbutt

But we never will be at absolutely full strength.

Cuthbertson,
Mullally,
SIngleton
Garbutt
Galloway
Delany
Ablett
Ferres
Ward
JJB
Achurch
Keinhorst
Walters
Baldwinson

that is a good pack, with a whole lot of depth.

I wouldnt be surprised to see Delany and Ferres spending a bit of time propping, especially if Mulllally doesnt impress initially.

Well someone just asked Pete Smith about that on Twitter and his reply was "funny you should say that, see later in the week."

Possibly a hint that he could feature vs Hunslet on Friday night perhaps? Or just an article saying he's targeting the Bradford game?

Hardaker
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
Sutcliffe
McGuire
Cuthbertson
Falloon
Garbutt
Ferres
Ablett
Ward

Burrow
Delaney
Singleton
Galloway

While Ward's out, Delaney to start at LF and Achurch on bench.

Golding, Lilley, Mullally, Baldwinson, Keinhorst and Walters as cover.

At full strength

Hardaker
Briscoe watkins moon hall
Sutcliffe McGuire
Galloway falloon cuthbertson
Ablett Ferres
Ward

Burrow JJB/Delaney/Garbutt/singleton

I would rotate that bench to keep bodies fresh and also expect to see JJB spending some time at prop.

Then (of the forwards) I would put in order of
Keinhorst
Mullally
Achurch
Baldwinson/Walters

I have high hopes for Baldwinson.

It's looking like we have great strength in depth for next year though. Ferres was the icing on the cake and I can't wait to see the new team start to perform.

With a pack like we have, and the outside backs we have this should offset the loss of the organisational skills of King Kev. A half's job is a lot easier if the pack is going forward. I think that is a pack that will certainly go forward

I may, of course, be wrong but I am optimistic. Sure we have lost three stalwarts but it is worth considering the following:-

1. In the middle of last year Sutcliffe was so impressive as to mean that Sinfield was left out;

2. Both JP and Kylie were on their last legs. We have replaced these with Mullaly (an unknown quantity but Brian clearly has seen something in him) and Galloway, an Aussie test prop. In addition, Baldwinson is back with us after winning the Championship's young player of the season whilst at Fev;

3. Ferres is a great addition to the back row;

4. Younger players like Singleton and Ward will improve with even more game time and

5. We now know that such as Golding, Handley and Lilley can hack it, rather than just hope that they can.

Plenty to look forward to in my view.

This group has already got a challenge to aim at that is to win a trophy without Sinfield and JP

That is pretty much the same as I would have, the only possible change is Burrow for Falloon. Hopefully Stevie Ward and Sutty will make quick recoveries from their major injuries.

Fully fit i'd go with...
Hardaker
Briscoe Watkins Moon Hall
Sutty Mags
Cuthbo Falloon Garbutt
Ferres Ablett
Ward
Burrow Delaney Galloway Singleton.
Rotation/back up-Jjb Mullally Baldwinson Keinhorst Handley Walters Lilley Golding Achurch.

As we stand injury wise i'd go with..
Hardaker
Briscoe Watkins Moon Hall
Sutty Mags
Singo Falloon Garbutt
Ferres Ablett
Cuthbo
Burrow Delaney Galloway Mullally/Baldwinson

Back 5 picks itself. Then:
McGuire
Burrow
Galloway
Falloon
Cuthbertson
Ferres
Ablett
Ward
Bench: Lilley, Garbutt, Singo, Delaney

To a large extent, probably, yes. But when has any pack gone forward in every game? I suspect there will be the odd game where similar organisational skills are needed. OTOH I'm not convinced that that will prove beyond McGuire and Sutcliffe.

Mullally should be in your 17, I was impressed with him
in his stint at Wakefield big lad and carries the ball strongly. He'll be one of your better signings IMO.

To get in the 17 if everyone is fit he would have to be performing at a better level than one of Cuthbertson, Galloway, Singleton or Garbutt who will certainly start the year as the first choice four, which will mean he has made quite an impact, so hope you are right.I have to say, i did like the look of him the few times i saw him for Wakey, he has the physical attributes and potential to kick on so hopefully he can be a success story, as he is probably one of the signings that has gone under the radar a bit.

The Ferres signing is going to be a bit of a roadblock potentially for Mullally. With the injuries to Ward and JJB, it looked like Leeds would go with a prop at 13 and therefore have five props in the 17. It's now more likely Delaney will play at 13, which means one of those five props (probably Mullally) misses out on a chance to put down a marker in the early games.

I think Ferres will be a roadblock for Keinhorst (unfortunately), and Achurch (thankfully)

Long term, probably. However he's also a vast improvement on both IMO.

I still think Keinhorst will get plenty of game time over the course of what could be a very long season again if we go deep in the CC. He also offers great utility value too being able to cover in the three quarters. Regards Achurch, he will more than likely spend his last year doing the hokey cokey out of the treatment room unfortunately.

I must say Ferris being added to the already formidable Leeds team makes it look very strong. If there was a weakness for me it is that role that Ablett and JJB used to play when they were younger.

I will say, many are putting Mullally as the 5 prop or lower but having watched him at Wakefield last year I think you'll be surprised. He looks like a great prop to me and got steadily better every game he played with us. I'm not sure the Giants style suited him but I think the Leeds style will, and imho will be one of your starting props and a South Stand favourite.

I'd also add, if Keinhorst doesn't get game time with you, he can come back to Belle Vue on loan if he likes. We didn't see the best of him when he was there last time, we might as well let him have another go. He clearly has skills.