So onto Sheffield. Think it's safe to say a big improvement needed from Swinton. Sheffield are a different beast from last couple of years. Looking like they've got back to the team that challenges at the top end of the table. Got a superb late win up at Barrow at the weekend. Can't see many teams coming away from there with the points. Also got to contend with Sheffield pitch. It looks like a hockey pitch but I presume its a 3g/4g surface (any help Eagles fans)

This is where our squad depth should come to the fore as Kear as options to choose the best line up for the fast surface. Personally I'd go with.

Pickersgill
Hitchcox
Evans
Webster
Ryan
Lilley
Chisholm
Kirk
Wilsie
Crossley
Oakes
Farrell
Minchella

Flanagan
Krasniqi
Green
Garside/Storton

Do we know how Minis shoulder is. Looked to take quite a whack on it late in the game.
I think its a pretty safe assumption that Krasniqi will play.
The back line remains unchanged for me but it will be interesting to see who misses out from the forward and bench

I Magrin injured or not upto it?

Krasniqi is a strange short term signing for me if Magrin is fit.,

A very tough game on Friday night. Sheffield have started the season well and will want to keep that up.

An improvement in concentration and composure is needed if the Bulls are to take the points, IMO

Get your tickets early if you want to go.
Capacity is 2000. They had over 1200 for their first game against swinton so id imagine friday will be a sell out

Got a bad feeling about this one, definitely a banana skin of a fixture and it would be typical of us to slip up.

This is one we could easily lose (and I've predicted as much in the prediction comp). We've not quite got in the rhythm yet I don't think. They shouldn't really be needing JK to put a rocket up them at half time against Swinton but we got away with it. That approach on Friday and we will definitely lose.

I think defensively we’re good. It’s our strong point. Other teams may attack more fluently and I do think that’s one area we could improve upon. Sheffield will ask questions for sure but I believe we have the answers.

It’ll be another close one.

Meanwhile I hear Keyes and Bustin may be playing in the reserves fixture versus Hunslet this week as they try to come back to fitness.

I was quite surprised when the Bulls re-signed him to be honest. I never thought he was particularly good in his first stint. When all are fit, he's certainly not in the 17. Be interesting to see if he plays in the reserve fixture against Hunslet and what sort of stint. If he does a fair bit, it suggests he's not in the team purely on merit rather than injury.

He was 18th man on Sunday so this must mean he is fit

Will be surprised if Magrin doesn't get in the 17 .the artificial surface could rule out Webster.

19 named
Hallas,Webster,Wood out
Foggin-johnston,Storton,Krasniqi in.

My line up would be
Pickersgill
Ryan
Oakes
Evans
Hitchcox
Lilley
Chisholm
Crossley
Wildie
Kirk
Farrell
Garside
Minchella

Bench
Krasniqi
Flanagan
Green
Storton

Foggin-Johnston and Magrin to miss out.

So what's the deal with Webster and artificial surfaces? Are his knees shot or something?

Just think with webster the artificial pitch would be a consideration for any 35 year old who as only had 4 days off.

If you can't make the game, it's being streamed on the our league app

Great news!

How do I find that?
Thanks

It will be on this website [urlhttps://membership.rugby-league.com/[/url
Just make an account if you don't already have one, then log in and you should be able to find it on Friday night.
Alternatively you can watch it through the OuRLeague mobile app (which is free to download).

And another prop bites the dust...

James Green banned for 2 games for Dangerous Contact. I believe the ban kicks in after this weekend though, so shouldn't affect him being picked tonight.

He's probably nailed on for selection then. Perhaps Magrin will have to wait another week to get picked.

There's not been much chat about this game. Does this reflect people's level of excitement or expectation?

I knew there was a weeks delay before cases being heard but why the delay before ban starts?

Friday seems like a strange day to hand out penalty notices. If the notices are appealed, when is the appeal hearing and how does that affect the game in between the notice being issued and the appeal hearing?

Any chance Dane won't play tonight? His wife gave birth overnight I think (per his instagram page).

It seems to have changed this season, although what it is officially is anyone's guess. Last year, there was a week's delay but they were still announced earlier in the week. Now they're coming out on a Friday, but the ban doesn't seem to kick in until after the weekend (I've only seen that because I noticed one of the Swinton players last week copped a ban but was allowed to play against Bradford).

Looking at the other charges, it appears they're from this past weekend's games. So it looks like they're looking at the incidents a bit quicker than previously (later in the same week, rather than a week later), but when the bans come into effect haven't changed.

Does this mean they're no longer sending match footage by carrier pigeon to Red Hall?