Kearney, Kear, Blythe, Henry, Foster, Gaskell, Sammut, Scruton, Heath, Carvell, Ferguson, Bateman, Addy. subs. Sickle, Nas, Diskin, Winterstein.

1 – Foster
2 – Kear
3 – Gaskell
4 – Henry
5 – George
6 - Gale
7 – Addy
8 - Scruton
9 – O’Brian
10 – Manuokofoa
11 – Bateman
12 – Winterstein
13 – Ferguson

14 – Carvell
15 – L'Estrange
16 - Sammut
17 - Sidlow

Haha silly sod

Think we all agree,with a fully fit squad how difficult it is to pick best 17.Without going back through everyone's 17,are there 2 the same

What a good position to be in for a change.Lets hope plenty of season tickets are been bought.Things could be on the up at last

Agreed. First time in a while we seem to have some real squad depth. With the exception of Kearney & L'Estrange, there isn't really a position where we don't have a backup option that isn't a lot worse than the first choice. The only position we're lacking a little in for backup is prop, but even there, Winterstein or Walker could play there if we're pushed.

Kearney
Kear
Henry
Blythe
Foster
Gaskell
Sammut
Scruton
L'estrange
Nas
Bateman
Winterstein
Addy

O'Brien
Sidlow
Carvell
Ferguson

I have to say I've struggled. I've kept swapping and changing and to be honest this is the team I'm sticking with before I change it again. It's nice to have some depth again.

Edit: Bateman, not Batman

I would love for us to sign Batman on a contract. I bet he'd make a good second rower. Also could use his car in Bullman's parade.

Not a lot of love for Gale...

Haha was just looking at who we have. I'd say

Kearney
Kear
Blythe
Henry
George
Sammut
Gale
Scruton
Heath
Nas
Bateman
Ferguson
Addy

Sub.
Sidlow
Carvell
Donno
Gaskell

I do like it when there's a hard time picking a 17. Shows that we are heading in the right direction player-wise.

As we've not retained Langley, I think Addy should get the 13 spot. I think that his time playing in the halves will make him a better fit there this season and give us an extra option in attack.

I must of changed my starting 17 at least 6 times since yesterday .I think the difference in half back pairings is interesting and healthy,I'm sure FC will be having the same headaches soon. No doubt we won't have a full squad to pick from for the first game

I'm beginning to think 8th place is too low to aim for

In the words of that super group,S Club 7, Reach For The Stars

Id personally go

Kearney
Kear
Blythe
Henry
George
Gaskell
Sammut
Scruton
Heath
Nas
Addy
Ferguson
Bateman

Thought Addy was superb on the fringes for scotland, would like to see John given a sort of roaming role at 13 to mix it up in the middle when needs be, like evryone has said its not a simple pick can only be good for the future

I think Bateman is better outside and Addy up the middle. He is an outstanding runner.

We could do with him now.

Ben Evans into backrow.

Apparently that is the plan.

Now that Bateman has gone my team has changed quite a bit:

1 Kearney
2 Kear
3 Blythe
4 Henry
5 Foster
6 Gaskell
7 Sammut
8 Scruton
9 L'Estrange
10 Carvell
11 Winterstein
12 Ferguson
13 Addy

14 Diskin
15 Sidlow
16 Manuokafoa
17 Evans

I'll probably change my mind again tomorrow.

Ben Evans into backrow.

Donaldson and Ferguson in the second row is pretty solid defensively.

Now looks quite significant that we kept Donno. The official statement says that Batemen has put in several transfer requests over the last 2yrs so the club must have always known this had the potential to happen.

IMO, the loss of Whitehead was a bigger loss than Bateman.

Looking through the stats on the SL website, Bateman consistently failed to make top 10 on pretty much every important stat. Where as Whitehead makes a fair few appearances.

TBH, I think the trouble with Bateman is that he's had people in his ear telling him what a superstar he's going to be and huge glittering future he's going to have. Thing is, no one seems to have told him he needs to have put in a lot more work than he has done to achieve that level that's expected of him.

He may knuckle down at Wigan as I'm sure their head coach won't stand for any of the rumoured shenanigans that Bateman's gotten involved with. But there's question marks over his fitness and commitment.

1. Kearney
2. Kear
3. Purtell
4. Henry
5 Foster
6 Addy
7 Gale
8 Scuton
9 L strange
10 Nas
11 Ferguson
12 Walker/Evans
13 Donaldson

14 Sammat
15 Carvell
16 Sidlow
17 Winterstein

Team barely changes for me with Bateman leaving. Donno just comes in to start instead of him.

Bateman isn't as big a loss as some are making out (yet). If he manages to reach the undoubted potential he has, he will be a big loss. But he hasn't reached it yet, and as yet, isn't good enough that him being missing makes a huge impact. Donaldson offers more in defence, albeit less in attack. No big difference on current ability/form IMO.

I think I'll be waiting till a bit nearer the season before I name my fave starting 17. I've a feeling there are some more announcements in the pipeline.

Kearney
Kear
Henry
Blythe
Foster
Sammut
Gale
Carvell
Diskin
Manuokafoa
Ferguson
Winterstein
Addy

O'Brien
Sidlow
Scruton
Evans

That leaves Purtell, Walker, Olbison, Donaldson, Roberts, Wood, Mellor, Conroy, George and Gaskell as back up, or interchangable depending on the opposition.

Ok, so I know this will not be the first choice but this would be mine if I was given the chance to pick

1. Kearney
2. Kear
3. Henry
4. Blythe
5. Foster
6. Gaskell
7. Gale
8. Scruton
9. O'Brien
10. Manuokafoa
11. Ferguson
12. Winterstein
13. Addy

14. Sammut
15. Sidlow
16. Carvell
17. Olbison

Bit of impact off the bench in Sammut.
Also if Kearney leaves I'd like to see Kear at FB, was great for Wales at FB.