Louis Anderson
Jason Baitieri
Thomas Bosc
Julian Bousquet
Damien Cardace
Todd Carney
Rémi Casty
Vincent Duport
Scott Dureau
Olivier Elima
Morgan Escaré
Benjamin Garcia
Ian Henderson
Jeffrey Lima
Antoni Maria
Gregory Mounis
Michael Oldfield
Mathias Pala
Eloi Pelissier
Ben Pomeroy
John Zebolon Taia
Villiami Sione "Willie" Tonga
Elliott Whitehead


[uLikely first team[/u:

[iMorgan Escaré

Michael Oldfield, "Willie" Tonga, Benjamin Pomeroy, Vincent Duport

Todd Carney
Scott Dureau

Gregory Mounis
Elliot Whitehead, John Zebolon Taia,
Remi Casty, Ian Henderson, Olivier Elima[/i

Interchange: [iEloi Pelissier, Jeffrey Lima, Julien Bousquet, Louis Anderson[/i

Key reserves: [iThomas Bosc, Jason Baitieri[/i

No, next thread.

Don't be so glib.

Treat this thread as a thought experiment, or an ice breaker, or a conversation starter.

Which team do you think is more likely to win silverware and why?

I would argue that this team has strength and great talent in almost every position, but especially in the spine. With the halves combination of Carney, Dureau and Bosc it will have the best set of halves in the competition to choose from, linking with a dazzling and mercurial attacking full back, and a perfectly complementary pair of hookers.

They COULD win silverware (possibly the CC depending on the draw) but it's not the most likeliest. History tells us that those with experiencing of winning the titles should always be considered favourites first.

Plus Saints are already in a final (WCC) so really they're the team most likely to win silverwear in 2015 as it stands.

The WCC is a time misplaced competition (it should be played two weeks after the end of the weekend aligned NRL and SL Grand Finals). It should not be considered part of the 2015 season. But in any case I don't see St. Helens troubling South Sydney, even though the Rabbitohs will miss Samuel Burgess. His replacement, Glen Stewart, is a very handy player. The South Sydney pack will be at least the equal of St Helens (a conservative estimate) but the South Sydney spine, starring Gregory Inglis, will be too strong. St Helens main hope will be that Inglis is injured at the Auckland Nines.

As for the other contests of 2015: Catalans Dragons which lost the CC Final in 2007 to St Helens, is a stronger team in 2015 than it was in 2007, while St Helens is a weaker team in 2015 than it was in 2007.

It's silverware competed for in 2015.....therefore its 2015 silverware. If Souths field a strong lineup I'll go with them.....but that's an unknown at the moment.



That's assuming it' would be Saints they meet in the final? (Even then I think most would go Saints based on experience). What if they play Warrington away first up, and if they manage to get through that, Wigan away?

No Jean, it's not the most likely, but with a reasonable path to the final, they could win the C.C.

As for the G.F - highly unlikely.

Catalans won't win silverware if they face any of Leeds, Warrington, Wigan or Saints in the final. They don't have the ability to beat those teams in a final in my opinion.

It all hinges on what kind of form Carney, Dureau and Tonga produce in 2015. If those three are fit and on fire, and Escare maintains his 2014 form, then I believe that Catalans can beat any SL team in a final. Very strong spine, quality three quarter line, and outstanding back row. Hard to beat that.

Catalan don't have the experience over Wigan, Leeds, Saints & Wire to win the two major pieces of silverware. Giving them just as much chance as my team (Huddersfield).

Will Catalan conquer there traveling habits? It'll be a harder task winning the league without gaining enough points in the league games.

Will Carney (despite his words) stick out a full season without doing something stupid? I don't think he'll ever change and he'll cause an upset in the camp. Hope I'm wrong.

For me, I think Wigan and Warrington are due silverware after missing out last season. Leeds still have the experience and talent to take something to there packed out trophy cabinet and Saints are the Champions so it'll take something special to win something this year.

So to conclude my prediction The Giants for the treble.

no, Matalan Dragons are rubbish.

Wire, Saints and Wigan are all more likely than Catalan.

I love to hear Wire fans bigging their team up.

To be fair they know how to win on the big stage and have a good record of getting to the grand final in recent years. They usually play attractive rugby and dominate teams.
In sport fans support and enjoy these moments.

People on here seem to forget that with the signing of internationals Todd Carney and Villiami Sione "Willie" Tonga, the Catalans Dragons is an upgraded team in 2015.

People also seem to forget that the dynamic try scorer of 2014 Morgan Escare now will have more classy backs to play off.

No doubt if Carney is up for it he can be awesome, with all due respect Tonga is well past it and is in the Asotasi band of NRL stars. Tonga simply doesn't have it anymore. Just like Asotasi and Simms he's here for a top up.

Love how Leeds have been written off by wire fans again. Leeds will pick up at least one of the major trophies again.

The Leeds ability to win after being written off is partly the reason why the structure has been changed for this year, so teams cant finish 6th in the regular season and still win the league.

As for Catalans, I would be willing to say they can make the challenge cup final but win it?

Warrington and Catalans have the strongest 17 IMO

Wigan
St Helens
Leeds
Warrington
----------------------------
Whipping Boy SL rabble x 8 (becomes x 4 after the split)

Catalan's home form last year was good, their away form poor.
If they can improve both with the quality players they've signed then I think they can make the top four. Not impressed with Leeds recruitment, or lack of it, this year.
My top four, Wigan, Warrington, Saints & Catalans.
If Catalans were to get good home draws in the C Cup then they are very capable of getting to the Final.

I think everyone are totally wrong on Catalans I don't think they'll make top 4 I'm, more likely fight for 6th place with Salford.