Agree, though I'd add we need Holroyd to make more of an impact too. From memory, his metres per carry stat last year was only marginally greater than Donno's.

From what I’ve seen I wouldn’t put Goudemand in the same bracket as Donno. The new Frenchman seems to offer far more punch at the line and post contact. Not a massive prop by any accounts but more of a prop than Donno.

Well uncle Tonys lot have been absolutely braindead this first half, i hope it serves as a strong reminder about discipline and tackle technique.

the new rules have worked well. much cleaner ruck

You do wonder whether the days of the "big bopper" are on the way out. Pele and Esse Esse look as cumbersome as Dinosaurs in the first half.

The new rules as they are and as they'll move on even further next year will have an impact on the success of certain types of player. Big lads could do with some after training yoga classes to learn to bend their backs.

Insert obligatory comment about Agar and ‘middles’ here…

Yes. We should clone six Donaldson's and be done with it. But you know what I mean. Looks like "big boppers" are going to have to be big, athletic lads with really good technique. Otherwise they'll more liability than asset.

Well tonight has certainly got me hyped for tomorrow, the cleaner rucks will work in our favour with how RS wants us to play, FC were dire but KR certainly seem beatable next week on that showing. Hope we go out there tomorrow and place a marker for the season to come, very excited to see this team play

The Pele red was an absolute joke. Will be even more cards this season….
Every game.

Really?

Sorry Shabs, you're totally off here, it was a huge swinging arm to the head of a player on the floor, red card all day long and there was absolutely no need for it.

I'm more nervous than excited for tonight, I know it's only round one but I really would like us to get off to a decent start this season, I don't think Salford will be the pushovers people are making out, I can see us going behind but then ultimately pulling away, a bit like the KR friendly.

Oops. Didn’t mean Pele, talking about the second red! Was it Sao?

My mistake, meant the second red….

Sao Kneed Parcell in the head twice, it was maybe a bit harsh but you simply cannot hit the head these days, and players know that.

I think he might get sending off sufficient but Parcell will pick up a ban.

I think he will be looking at 8 games at least. If the RFL have any credibility they need to back up their tough talking pre season regarding player welfare. He should get at least 5 for the initial cowardly offence, and another 3 for another cowardly strike in the ensuing melee where he sucker punched a player (Mikey Lewis ?) from behind. I think Kyle Amor was lucky to escape the pre match interview with him unscathed. Looked like he wanted to do some pretty nasty things to Mr Amor.

Definitely agree Parcell should cop a couple of games along with Sao who also touched the ref as he was given the red which might increase his to 3.

I'd rather play Martin in the centres and move Newman to the wing than play Roberts. You can get 80 mins out of O'Connor in the second row and Ackers at prop.

Daytime drinking?

Some interesting calls re Donaldson prop and Goudemand back row though they will interchange. Also very disappointing re fusitua again

I’ve really missed the live meltdowns on here during the games, wonder if we will get that tonight. Maybe just wait til full time to post guys

Fusitua is a joke

oh balls I've just seen that we're kicking off...

No player wants to get injured but he seems to pick up knocks very easily. It's not like he's played loads of minutes in pre-season