I don't really see the pressure on sangare tbh. I think as long as he's fit, he gets a bench slot. Bentley I agree; there'll be a lot of competition in the back row

I thought Olpherts pulled a hamstring chasing back at the end of the first half ? and I I would have Roberts way ahead of him anyhow.
O’Conner and Bentley ( if fit ) are the choices for the 14 shirt at the beginning of the season.
With the youngsters all older the competition for places this season is quite good.

I think on balance I would have him in the team because he brings so much bulk and he is an energy-sapper for the opposition.

Issues are around his skill level and discipline at times, and he could play his weight more effectively.

I think in practice that injuries will pretty much select our props this year anyway.

I just think O’Connor is Mr Utility, decent at hooker and good in the back row. His ability to cover for injury in various positions is very useful. Bentley could be similar yes. Very interested to see who RS picks at first choice for second row.

What position did Ruan play when he was on? Looks a strong lad now.

Millar,
Fusitua, Newman, Momirovski, Handley
Croft, Frawley
Oledski, Ackers, Goudemond
McDonnell, Martin
Smith

O`Connor, Sangare, Bentley, TNW

From YEP, RS, Lisone Bentley expected to play, Holroyd not ruled out yet. Gannon gad a stinger not Hia, also in contention

Think O’Connor is the perfect bench player given the current protocols. Could stick him nearly anywhere.

Sangare is unlike our other props. He offers the something different but that should be off the bench.

Ruan and TNW don’t look far, off.

Roberts has also looked good for me this preseason. I think he’s earnt a go before olpherts.

Guys I think Fus and Handley will start so Olpherts is a moot point. I doubt he will make the 17.

I can see why some are frustrated with Sangare at times, but I think we have to consider the effort he takes out of the opposition to put down. He is something of an "enforcer" too and a bit of old fashioned intimidation isn't a terrible thing.

You would think Oldeski and Holroyd are our best 2 props, but last season I didn't think they were always as effective when paired together for some reason.

I don't know whether the best combination is one of Oledski or Holroyd with one of Lisone and Sangare. You maintain a balance of fitness and impact that way. Who knows.

Ruan looks like he has more chance at prop than back row; I can't see past Gannon plus one of McDonnell, Bentley, Littlewood, Cassell, O'Connor over the next few years we look stacked. I'd like to see a medium-term combo of Gannon and McDonnell personally.

Any news from the disciplinary panel?
Sangare might cop a ban ruling him out of the Salford game.

I think that article is taking a lot of what Rohan said in the post-game a bit too literally re:players back for round 1

Yeah I still feel Sangare offers a lot as a big strong mass in centre field: the emergence of TNW is a major boost.

Would imagine both will get plenty of game time this year. Chances of Holroyd, Oledski and Lisone going through without missing games seems slim to none.

Again this is why I’m fairly confident about next year and beyond: we’re seeing young players come through now who actually might make the grade, and we have better quality around them now too.

The main problem with Sangare is that he's OK for 10-15 mins, then he's blowing.
His size means he's never going to be super fit, but he needs to be able to manage longer minutes.
Or it just means the others have to do more.
And we all know what happens when we flogged Prior and Mik to death a couple of years back.

The 15 minutes would be fine if he played at full intensity and created the havoc that he has the potential to do.
He doesn't hit the line at any pace and gives away penalties by trying to be aggressive in defence but often getting in the wrong position.There is definitely a player in there but the jury's out for me at the moment.

I disagree, you see a lot of big men with good engines, he seems more muscle than fat, so you would think he can get fitter.

With a fit squad it will be interesting to see where RS goes.

Have to say I like the way RS has gone about the business of remodelling the side so far. One or two hiccups which is inevitable, but on the whole the team is transformed now (although credit has to go to the youth set up 4 years ago…).

I just don't think sangare has it between his ears to get better.

BDL syndrome?

With the arrival of Goudemand - who would be my 4th prop most weeks -, Hudson and now the emergence of TNW he'll to try and push a level or two or drop down the pecking order and eventually move on. It's up to him.

Big Daft Lad ?

We've seen many big players down the years who just don't use their size effectively. Sangare's a bit slow and he just doesn't hit the line hard enough. Maybe he'll change, but I can't remember seeing a player like that turn it around? Going back a while, but think how many coaches looked at the size of Karl Pryce and thought they could turn him into something special. He never changed, and was always the classic Tarzan/Jane player.

By contrast someone like TNW will likely always have a career somewhere because he plays at full tilt.

James McDonnell and Morgan Gannon confirmed as missing the first game. Gannon sent to a specialist but is ok.

James Bentley, David Fusitu'a, Tom Holroyd, Sam Lisone, Mickael Goudemand could come back into contention, Paul Momirovski will be back to play.

Well that settles the Bentley or McDonnell debate.

Would imagine we will go Bentley, Martin with Goudemand on the bench then.