Not far from the strongest squad we can put out with only 5 and 16 missing from our first 17 players, so no excuses especially after the last match. I think we will line up like this:

Myler
Fusitua
Newman
MacDonald
Olpherts
Austin
Sezer
Holroyd
O'Connor
Tetevano
Martin
McDonnell
Smith

Walters
Oledzki
Johnson
Bentley

Sangere and lisone will both be in the 17 squad if fit. Suspect martin at centre olpherts on bench, Tet second row Holroyd Oledski to start. Walters and Johnson mis out. Unless Oledski is still not quite there yet.

Lisone for Walters I reckon

Certainly some decisions to be made on the final 17.
Be a shame for Johnson to miss out as he needs to prove himself at this level.
Also looks like Tindall has dropped behind Roberts in the pecking order.
With Handley and Gannon to come in I have not got a clue what my 17 would be.

According to RS in the presser Morgan is fine. They're just taking a conservative approach to his return and he's working on some physical/ skills gains. Apparently he's had no ill effects from his recent concussion.

Myler
Fusitu'a
Newman
Martin
MacDonald
Austin
Sezer

Oledzki
O'Conner
Tetevano
McDonnell
Bentley
Smith

Sangare
Lisone
Walters
Olpherts

Good squad to pick from.

Pretty much what I'd go with.
Except I'd have Johnson on the bench for Olpherts (but that probably won't happen).
Give Tommy a rest this week.

Personally I’d rest McDonnell. He’s been good but he’s played a lot and I’d give him a rest and play Bentley and Tet in 2nd row to start.

I’d run Martin at centre again and rotate the props a lot plus Johnson off the bench.

Good that Smith has choices.

I concur. We’ll need McDonnell the following week when Bentley is having another week off.

Myler
Fusitu’a
Newman
Martin
Macdonald
Austin
Sezer
Holroyd
O'connor
Oledzki
Tetevano
Bentley
Smith

Johnson
Sangare
Lisone
Walters

Blow them away down the middle plus carrying an extra prop means Oledzki can be eased back in with the minutes he does.

Swap Oledzki with Walters and thats the team id go with.Good to hear Smith taliking positively about Johnson.

Johnson needs game time, even if its just cameos for now. He's got to be ready if O'Connor gets injured.

Exactly OWL.
If O'Connor gets a bad injury, we are exposed.
So, Johnson needs to be on the bench and getting 20-30 mins every week.

If Oledzki is fit, I would be looking at resting 1-2 of Holroyd, Tetevano and McDonnell. Holroyd and Tetevano have played every week so resting one of them will likely be of benefit to them (Sangare and Lisone have both already missed matches).

Likewise McDonnell has never played so much consecutive SL rugby, so rest him for a week. I would then be looking to rotate if they stay fit to enable our players to stay fresh. Martin and Smith can have a week off in subsequent weeks: a luxury we have not had for quite some time.

Couldn't agree more.

Yep. He did really well last week after coming on at a stage where the game was far from won. Now that we finally have some big, robust ball carriers another hooker with the ability to put the ball on their chest and allow them to hit the line at speed is vital. On another note, I can't remember the last time a Leeds coach has had such a wide group of players from which to select. It feels like years. Really owe them one on the back of the very poor performance in pre-season. Will need to be at our best to get the win.

6 games into a new season wouldn't be when I'd be looking to rest players, the next 3 or 4 are about consolidating form, then maybe look at that.

Johnson covers hooker and half back which is an added bonus. I dare say he could cover loose at a push too. For me, that offers more than having Olpherts on the bench

Probably one of the strongest Leeds line-ups on paper for some time that, in theory.

That pack is better than it has been for years. And still with young Gannon on the mend.

Be very interesting who Rohan brings in next season when he actually has some budget to play with.

What’s all this obsession with next season? We’ve only just started this one, and have a very decent squad who can something……

With quite a few ageing big earners coming off contract at the end season, there's likely to be changes to the line up next season.

Besides, I don't think we're ready to challenge for the big one yet (GF). The squad changes next season will make or break whether we are next season.

Listening to the press conference sounds like Bentley may be covering second hooker tonight, although he implied Johnson will get chances in coming months.

Looking forward to the trip over although weather forecast looks terrible for the match now.

Yep. Really need to look after the ball and play tough tonight. Good test.

I`m not so sure it`s a good indicator that just because Bentley played hooker as a kid he can step into a very specialised and no doubt different way of playing hooker now.
For me Johnson should be on the bench it`s the only way we are going to judge him for the future.

We could win something this year but we aren’t, in my view, a good enough side to be confident.

I’m interested in Leeds being a top 1-4 side every year for a while again.

Next season we have a big opportunity. The ship is stabilised just about, we aren’t looking over our shoulder at relegation and signing in desperation. We can plan and build from a fantastic base of young talent. I’m interested more in the future because I want to see how good this young side can be with better quality senior players supporting them.