The world cup is over. Pre season is in full swing at most clubs. There are still a few signings to come I'm sure, but most of the recruitment is finished now.

Injuries permitting, who will line up for your club in round 1, and what do you think of your teams prospects?

1. Jamie Shaul
2. Bureta Faraimo
3. Jake Connor
4. Carlos Tuimavave
5. Fetuli Talanoa
6. Albert Kelly
7. Marc Sneyd
8. Scott Taylor
9. Danny Houghton
10. Liam Watts
11. Dean Hadley
12. Mark Minichiello
13. Sika Manu

14. Josh Bowden
15. Mickey Paea
16. Chris Green
17. Danny Washbrook

We might have a better idea after some pre season games, but that is my guess for now. There will be some debate over the LF position, and I think when the weather starts to improve we might see Abdul come into the side at 13 as an extra pivot. But early doors I think it will be all out grunt. Also that last bench spot is really up for grabs. But I know Radford likes Washbrooks versatility.

I would be very disappointed if we arent in the top 4 and competing for all trophies again.

Impressive line up that, certain top 4 if for once you can avoid an horrendous injury list.

There's some talk around whether S.Tomkins will go to 7, but I think that's too innovative for Wane:

1. S.Tomkins
2. Davies (Manfredi to return around Easter after a 1.5 year lay off and maybe take one of the wing spots)
3. Gelling
4. Gildart
5. Burgess
6. Williams
7 .Leuluai
8. Nu'uasala (I'd drop him for Sutton, but don't think Wane will)
9. McIlorum
10. Flower
11. Bateman
12. Farrell
13. O'Loughlin

14. Escare (on for McIlorum, playing in the halves with Leuluai moving to hooker)
15. Clubb
16. Tautai
17. J.Tomkins (I'd have Isa instead, but don't think Wane will)

At Leeds think it's just a question of who goes at LF.

Walker
Briscoe
Watkins
Sutcliffe
Hall
Moon
Myler
Singleton
Parcell
Cuthbertson
Ward
Ablett
JJB

Dwyer
Garbutt
Mullally/Peteru
Delaney (Ferres expected to miss the first few weeks)

He could start Garbutt and move one of the starting props to loose and either JJB or Ablett drop to the bench.

Not sure Willams and Tomkins combination would work. It would be exciting at times, but neither really know how to control a game. I guess you have Lockers too, but lets face it, he will miss almost as many as he plays.

As it stands, how I would have it

We're still struggling in attack without Brown which says it all

Hanbury
Ah Van
Runciman
Inu
Ottio
Craven
Mellor
Dudson
Walker/White
Gerrard
Whitley
Houston
Cahill

Walker/White
Dean
Chapelhow
Wilde

Still weak but look stronger in attack with Inu and Ottio. We've offloaded 3 props and brought in 0. More signings to be made before the end of pre season with a quota place or 2 still left. 8 players have left the club, 3/4 high earners so plenty of space still under the cap

2 props needed and in desperate search for a stand off. Slightly better than last year but not by much.

FWIW

1. Jowitt
2. Johnstone
3. Arudel
4. Topou
5. Jones Bishop
6. Miller
7. Finn
8. Fifita
9. Randall
10. England
11. Ashurst
12. Horo
13. Arona

14. Pauli Pauli
15. Huby/Hirst
16. Batchelor/Kirmond
17. Wood

Probably

Ratchford
Russell
Goodwin
Atkins
Mitch Brown/Lineham
Brown
Roberts
Hill
Clark
Cooper
Currie
Hughes
BMM

Crosby
Sitealki
Westwood
Livett

Some debate on whether BMM will play right second row or loose as Hughes was disappointing last season to say the least. The wings aren't particularly strong and Lineham / Russell / Brown will probably rotate through the season as form dictates.

I still think we have business to do as we lack depth, (12 players out and only 5 in so far tells a story). Possibly holding some cap space for a mid season signing? Need a second hooker and another backrower as a minimum.

New regime so will be interesting to see how we start, back challenging for the four I hope.

Hull and Warrington look really strong this year

Regards

King james

At this moment with the squad as it is. I think Sheens will go.

Adam Quinlin/Kieran Moss.
Justin Carney.
Thomas Minns.
Andrew Heffernan.
Ryan Shaw.

Chris Atkin.
Danny McGuire.

Nick Scruton.
Shaun Lunt.
Lee Jewitt.

Maurice Blair.
James Greenwood.
Danny Addy.

Tommy Lee, Jordan Walne, Mason Masoe, George Lawler.

But he does like to change it for most games. Personally would like to see Moss at FB, and hope he does gives Atkin a chance.

Jeez, that needs some improving. When you look at Leigh and perhaps Toronto, you need to strengthen further

I like that back line. I think Heffernan in particular will show up well at SL level. We know that McGuire and Lunt are quality players. Don't know much about Atkin if I'm being honest. I know he's been around a while at champ level but I've only seen him play a couple of times. Whats plan B if he isnt up to scratch, Blair?

Pack are all steady SL standard players but no real quality there. A pack is never just the sum of its parts though. It depends on how well Sheens can motivate and get them working as a unit.

I can't quite get a first 17....

23 Ben Barba/1 Jonny Lomax
2 Tommy Makinson
3 Ryan Morgan
4 Mark Percival
19 Regan Grace
6 Theo Fages
7 Matty Smith
8 Alex Walmsley
9 James Roby
10 Kyle Amor
11 Zeb Taia
12 Jon Wilkin
13 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
14 Luke Douglas
15 Morgan Knowles
16 Luke Thompson
17 Dominique Peyroux

1) Jake Mamo
2) Jermaine Mcgillvary
3) Leroy Cudjoe
4 Jordan Turner
5) Aaron Murphy
6) Danny Brough
7) Lee Gaskell/ Jordan Rankin


Sebastine Ikahifho
9) Kruise Leeming
10) Shannon Wakeman
11) Tom Symonds
12) Oliver Roberts
13) Ryan Hinchcliffe

14) Ukuma Taai
15) Adam Walne/Paul Clough
16) Adam O Brien
17) Michael Lawrence

We are crying out for a controlling 7 with a strong kicking game. That was supposed to be Leuluai, but it hasn't happened. He was largely anonymous in attack all year. Would be far better at hooker. Everyone is under contract, so not really any likelihood we will sign one. Powell is probably the nearest we have, but I can't see Wane dropping a big name for him, and it's a good while since he has played 7. There is Shorrocks as well, but he has only played a few first team games, missed most of last season with injury.

You think?

I get Wire have recruited well but I can see one or two gaps still and Hull look weaker without Ellis and Fonua.

They’re both good teams for sure and will be in the mix but especially with Hull, if I judge them against past years line up then it doesn’t look as strong.

The good thing for the league is 6 or 7 teams look just about dead even.

It depends how Faraimo turns out. He has big boots to fill, but he looks the part. I think it was against PNG in the WC, he made 170 metres and 8 tackle busts despite his team getting whacked. He is a handful.

Ellis is irreplaceable, but its still a strong backrow, and whilst we might be a tad weaker for him leaving, his cap space has allowed us to add depth by bringing Hadley, Abdul and Logan back from loans, and bringing in Paea and Miloudi (if he ever stops acting like a d**k). I am confident we have a capable replacement regardless of who might be missing this year.

cuthbo i would expect to be 13 with garbutt starting at prop. Galloway coming into contention after injury. strongest all round Leeds squad for 3 years if everyone fit.

Seriously! That back line is just about ok but the H/Bs are poor, you saw McGuire's last serious attempt at RL in September.

The pack though is a bit dodgy, people were calling Scruton past it and too small at Wakefield and that was 18 month ago and he's the best one in that lot imho.

Your right playing as a team can overcome that and they will need to, I can't see any match winners or game breakers in that team. However you never know, I've seen worse at BV in the last 20 years and we are still here.

Not a bad team but I can't help thinking the old guy is no longer splashing the cash like he used to.

I especially think Brough is now a liability.

Atkin looks alright. But as you say it's a big step up. Hopefully can prove himself. If not only real back up half back is Franck the young half back we've just got from Catalans. So think it probably will be either Blair or Lee.

I actually think the back line is okay (did well in the middle 8's). But there's no real back up if they get injured without moving players out of position.
Agree even the players I've not mentioned (ie the likes of Kavanagh & Clarkson), are solid but not spectacular players. Hopefully a new signing could get us the punch. Otherwise could be a hard season.

i think the team is strong but the quality of the back up players is not so great. We have a lot of ability in the backs and both Mamo and Mcgillvary will be good for 20 tries plus if they stay fit. I just hope we try to play some more expansive rugby. It will be interesting to see how Brough goes in what will probably be his last season. He is not the player he was 2/3 years ago but i do think that without him it would be a real struggle and there is a need to buy a top quality replacement when he finally retires otherwise the club could really struggle.

I dont think the backline is fantastic, but its decent. Quinlan has already shown he is pretty good at this level in his stint at Saints. We know Carney is good despite his idiot streak, as I said I rate Heffernan, the others are more unproven but they have promise. The last time I saw McGuire he was running the show in the GF. His best days are behind him, but he still has plenty to offer. I think we are in agreement that the pack is the problem.

CASTLEFORD TIGERS

1 - BEN ROBERTS
2 - GREG MINIKIN/JAMES CLARE/GARRY LO
3 - JAKE WEBSTER
4 - MICHAEL SHENTON
5 - GREG EDEN
6 - JAMIE ELLIS
7 - LUKE GALE
8 - MATT COOK
9 - PAUL MCSHANE
10 - GRANT MILLINGTON
11 - JESSE SENE-LEFAO
12 - MIKE MCMEEKEN
13 - ADAM MILNER

14 - NATHAN MASSEY/ALEX FOSTER
15 - JUNIOR MOORS
16 - JOE WARDLE/MITCH CLARK
17 - JAMES GREEN/GADWIN SPRINGER/BRANDON DOUGLAS

i think castleford really need to bring in a prop not really replace lynch yet.

Tigers:-

1 Greg Eden
2 Greg Minikin
3 Joe Wardle
4 Michael Shenton
5 James Clare
6 Ben Roberts
7 Luke Gale
8 Jesse Sene-Lefao
9 Paul McShane
10 Grant Millington
11 Oliver Holmes
12 Mike McMeeken
13 Adam Milner
14 Nathan Massey
15 Jamie Ellis
16 Jake Webster
17 Junior Moors

Back-up - Matt Cook, Gadwin Springer, Garry Lo, Alex Foster, Mitch Clark, James Green, Brandon Douglas, Jy Hitchcox, Kieran Gill, Tuoyo Egodo, Declan Sheenan, Jake Truman and Will Maher.