So next Sunday we take on Featherstone Rovers in a pre season friendly. Agar has confirmed that Jack Walker will play a part in at least one of the next three pre season games. I would expect it to be this one & to play some part against Bradford.

I’d expect Broadbent, Edwards, Field, Gannon, Johnson, Mustapha, O’Connor, Simpson, Sinfield, Thompson, Tindall, Walker, Walters all to play Majority of Featherstone, Bradford and Hunslet games

Mmm, not sure Walker will feature v Fev. Agar reckons he's not done any contact training yet. My guess is he plays against Bradford and part of the Hull game.

Certainly the regular pre-season Leeds v Fev games have usually featured a lot of Leeds youngsters, but generally they have been the really talented ones that are on the fringe of a first team place, and I'm sure you're right, it will be a similar scenario this season. It usually provides a really good test for the Leeds youngsters and a good contest for Fev too. Normally you'd expect Fev to be a bit stronger and I'd probably anticipate that again this year, but to me this looks like a cracking group of up-and-comers at the Rhinos and it should be an intriguing game.

Which leads us on to the DR arrangement announced yesterday, with Broadbent, Edwards and Walters highlighted as being earmarked as possibles for Fev. As a Fev fan, it will be interesting to see how this works. In previous years Fev have used DR players from week 1, and they have filled obvious gaps.

However, this year the gaps aren't so obvious. For instance, at centre Fev have high-profile signing Joey Leilua and last season's Championship player of the year Craig Hall (and Josh Hardcastle), and with Gareth Gale and Luke Briscoe on the wings there isn't an obvious position vacant. Same goes for Levi Edwards at centre and also at back row along with Walters, where Ferres and Sene-Lefao are the likely starters.

It's possible Broadbent could feature from day 1 if not selected by Leeds, perhaps with Leilua eased in off the bench or as a back row option, but I also think there will be an element of rotation given Fev have a smallish squad (currently 25 players) and of course it will depend on availability too depending on call-ups to the Leeds squad. I'd be a bit surprised if all three are in the 17 for Fev's opening game though unless there are several pre-season injuries.

Good points Phantom and I think you are right that Leilua might be used between centre and second row this year.
Barring injuries I`m not sure where the 3 Leeds lads fit in.
I thought maybe Muzzi and possibly O`Connor might have gone to Fev.

I think they will be just fine at the bulls though, which is another good deal for us and them

My guess is that somewhere along the line the 3 Leeds lads mentioned will average 10-15 games each for Fev, depending on injuries, form and of course Leeds call-ups, and I think that will meet the requirements for both teams.

My guess is that Muizz and O'Connor (and Johnson) are just that bit further down the pecking order at Leeds and the club wanted to send them somewhere where they were more likely to be guaranteed being in the 17 most weeks. Those 3 are all very good players but I think all 3 would need injuries at Fev to make the 17.

We have a cracking Championship squad at Fev but it's very much an ageing one - I think we will have five forwards over the age of 35 at the start of the season. Ferres, Kopczak, Moors etc are all likely to be rested from time to time, and I think opportunities will arise.

Indeed. there has been a lot of noise about Scurr at Bradford but for me Muizz is a similar player with ball in hand and infinitely better in defence. Johnson is in my opinion a better player than George Flanagan, who again although dangerous near the line is weak defensively, and O'Connor is also probably a better option than at least some of their middles.

Agar did say Walker would play in at least one. He also said they are confident that they know which one but if he gets himself Iinto a position to play sooner that's great. That tells me it probably won't be against Fev.

I’ll be glad if Scurr ends up at Leeds through this partnership.

Phantom Horseman have you heard any rumours about Brian Mac wanting Adam Cuthbertson as a Fev player for the 2022 season?
I was told this the other week but I'm not sure if there's any truth to it?

Strong squad for Featherstone with Sezer and Austin to partner in the halves

Is this game on Our League?

Don't think so. They've a cc game up in their streaming schedule the following week but nothing listed for this week

Agar confirms that Fusitua and Prior will only play in the Hull FC friendly.

Got my ticket for the Fev game, always enjoy visiting there and will be interesting to see how some of the youngsters go, especially if they are playing alongside some more experienced players.

Should be a nice competitive game that Chris, usually is. Enjoy the game, not going to this one personally.

V Featherstone
Newman, Austin, Sezer, Oledzki, Leeming, Martin, Tetevano, Dwyer, Mellor, Myler, Smith, Holroyd, Thompson, Briscoe, Gannon, Walters, Broadbent, O’Connor, Mustapha, Simpson, Tindall, Edwards, Field, Sinfield, Turner

Myler
Briscoe, Newman, Broadbent, Tindall
Austin, Sezer
Oledzki, Leeming, Holroyd
Martin, Mellor
Smith

Dwyer, Tetevano, Thompson, Gannon, Walters, O’Connor, Mustapha, Simpson, Edwards, Field, Sinfield, Turner

Very pleased to see Mackenzie Turner in the squad Sunday. Fastest player at the club, 6 footer, great under the high ball, catches it way above his head. Will be a Super League winger one day for somebody if not Leeds or else Union will pick him up.

Nobody talks about him and he seemed to be getting forgotten about. I think hes got plenty of potential. He may have to drop down to get a game somewhere but he will score plenty of tries. Hes a flyer.

Won't they go with Briscoe at left centre? You would imagine he would be ahead of Broadbent still there, and there's not much point playing Briscoe on the wing after signing Fusitu'a. Briscoe knows how to play the position already and has already played outside Newman.

Tindall, Newman, Briscoe, Broadbent

That would be my back line, otherwise same as you. I'd be trying to get combinations going in likeliest positions the players would be covering if it were me, especially with two new half backs. But that's just me.

Nothing beats pace. Will look forward to seeing him.

I suppose the problem here is that he`s behind 3 or 4 in the pecking order for a wing spot.
How old is he Marty?

Hes only 18. Yep hes behind a few thats for sure.

Plenty of time .If he's as good as say he has a good chance of breaking through.

Leeds getting frustrated with Jack Walker's foot injury. Unfortunately its not healing properly and its very slow progress. Its becoming a concern for Jack and the coaching staff.

Hopefully theres some progress soon to allow him to play in Briscoe's game but from what i heard yesterday it doesnt sound good. Real shame.