If Baldwinson has improved then I am sure he will get his chance before long. But to throw him in against the Saints big pack on the basis of improved showings against second division opposition is too risky with more experienced choices available.

No not baseless ones, but considering Baldwinson was named in the 19 man squad several times in the first third of the year and then suddenly dropped out never to return even though the injuries added up and the likes of Cameron Smith and Sam Hallas got selected I'd say it's very likely something happened.

The paranoia in Leigh fans is hilarious.

Is a fair question IMO. Not one I feel qualified to answer until I've seen the season unfold a bit.

On what showings are we picking the ones who do start then? surely not on last years performances? then compare preseason to the lad.

Anyone know where best pub is for Thursday night for a few before game also where's best car park

Not Wigan, Saints, hull, wire, Cas or Leigh.

Getting back to Thurs match,I feel this is one of the most important games for the club for a long time.one that could make or finish some careers,this could be a watershed moment in the clubs history.do the coach and players have what it takes to bring the belief back only time will tell.

Wouldn't go as far to say it could make or break careers just on one league game but it is a big game that could set us off on a potential roll.

Genuinely feel we have a good chance of winning. As dreadful as our attack was last year - we only scored 30 or more on 3 occasions - two of those were against Saints and we got 40+ on them in the two league games in 2015 so since Cunningham took over they have had an issue stopping us scoring points.

Also think on the other side that Matty Smith is a big loss to them and it looks like Theo Fages + Tommy Lee at HB possibly. Apparently they were absolutely dreadful vs Cas last week when they lost 22-6 and the one try they did score was quite fortuitous.

Will go for a Leeds win 22-14

Wouldn't go so far as to call it a defining movement but I do think it's important we get a good start this season.

I'm actually looking forward to it and the RL season in general (really enjoyed the 9s over the weekend).

In terms Leeds this game and beyond Im interested to see who steps up while Galloway is out. Mullaly looked good in preseason, but from what I saw Baldwinson was as good and Ormandroyd better, ball in hand, if a bit raw in terms of fitness and pace of the game.

The other point for me is what we do if McGuire isn't fit. Parcell has looked the part, but I'm not sure it'd be best for him or the team if he has to do 80 on a regular basis. I assume the plan when mags was fit was to move Burrow there for a spell and bring Sutty on.

If Mags isn't fit will we go for a big bench and push Parcell, or might we see Aston deputise like Lilley has done at times?

The key for me is our front row and it worries me. If they can stand up to Walmsley Douglas and co then we are a shout Thurs. If they get over run it will be a tough ask.

Im hoping we look to offload the ball like in 2015 and use Parcell and Golding in supporting the offloads. Our outside backs are ok, our backrowers are all hardworkers. Its down the middle that worries me.

Ive said it before our props are our weakest link and have no lateral movement. Hopefully Parcell defending down middle will help.

I would expect selections to be made in the normal way which includes seniority and experience (based on more than one season or a few games against lower grade teams) proven ability and mental toughness, current form and training ground performances and of course attitude. In addition different opponents require different game plans which also affects selection.

Young props particularly need to be selected against opposition where they have the least chance of being physically dominated where possible. As we have a tough start to the season it makes sense to go with our most physically mature and experienced props initially to try and get a good start. The youngsters will get their chance as the season progresses when they should have less pressure on them.

That sounds good in principle, but if we get off to another poor start the opposite is more likely - as with most coaches BM will feel pressure to get wins and become less likely to pick kids.

Professional coaches will pick the players that offer the best chance of winning with the least risk of getting off to a poor start. To take selection risks in crucial early games would invite criticism from the stands which would be hard to defend. If the experienced first choice players let the coach down then selecting youngsters is then justified providing they have the ability and physicality. The physical demands of a prop mean that a coach has to blood a youngster less frequently than other positions in the youngsters own best interests. Arranging for a promising young prop to play against lesser opposition allows the player the time to gain experience and the time to mature physically. I feel sure you know all this.

Is Prop really that different to the other forward positions anymore? I mean does the work a prop do differ that much from a second rower these days. It seems to me that it doesn't the way leeds play them, they just stand in a different place on the field.

So then with all that 1st paragraph in mind explain picking injured players ,players out of form & not using the whole 17 man matchday squad?
As for "Protecting" young Props what happened last year then when we played lesser opponents when Cuthbertson was playing injured & Jjb was switched to prop during games clearly gassed after 25minutes in the BR?

It's nothing but poor sound bites saying pick experience. You pick players who can offer you the most and form. The kids set his stall out where it matters in preseason, where everyone is supposed to play for the shirt. How does the performances of players last year put them ahead? Is Mullaley really that much of an experienced option?

It is most important to look ahead, not to look back on what's happened before. Last year more than any other drew a line under previous years.

Baldwinson's been named in the 19 for Thursday. Go figure....

Ashton Golding
Tom Briscoe
Kallum Watkins
Joel Moon
Ryan Hall
Danny McGuire
Rob Burrow
Matt Parcell
Adam Cuthbertson
Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Carl Ablett
Stevie Ward
Liam Sutcliffe
Brad Singleton
Mitch Garbutt
Jimmy Keinhorst
Anthony Mullally
Jack Ormondroyd
Jordan Baldwinson

Presume Hall is in the squad?

Still punishing him for going to New Zealand clearly.

Been told Mags is fit hopefully it's true.
Id go with
Golding
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
Mags
Burrow
Cutjbertson
Parcell
Singleton
Ablett
Keinhorst
Ward

Jjb
Sutty
Baldwinson
Garbutt
However i reckon Mc.D will start Jjb with Keinhorst on the bench & Mullally will take Baldys place.

sutcliffe needs to be on the field for goalkicking !!!

That seems a bit lightweight for saints, Imo we should start garbutt and move ablett or Keinhorst to the bench

I would recommend The Cricketers in Peter Street. Merseyside CAMRA pub of the year last two years. Circa 12 hand pumps and the ale I second to none. Depends what your after I suppose.

A brisk 10 mins or so walk to the ground or if your driving couple of minutes and you can park on Tesco next door to the stadium for 2 hours for free!