1Fitzpatrick,
2Broughton,
3McGilvray,
4Talau,
5Gibson
6Ratchford,
7 J. Smith
8 Cashmere
9 Alker,
10 Parker,
11 Sibbit,
12 Adamson,
13 Swain,

14M. Smith,
15Littler,
16Leuluai,
17Tyrer,
18Holdsworth,
19Boyle.

not sure about holdsworths not inlcuded in team and only having one prop on bench.

id be very dissapointed if that was the team. Holdsworth has to be in there, why bring over an Aussie and not play him? Plus he's looked dangerous in pre-season. Littler would only be in there coz he could poss play 2nd row but then again so can, swain & alker if need be.

Tyrer & Littler to drop out of that 19 for me or Talau if he's not fit (heard he faces a late fitness test?)

I hope Talau plays?

McGilvray in the centres? OK so Henry's not fit but surely it'd have to be either Tyrer, Littler or Gibson?

I'm a little worried about the size of our pack, yes Cash is big enough but Parker, Adamson & Sibbit aren't going to make many yards going forward! And another thing Why is Jeremy Smith at scrum half when we have Matty Smith or Holdsworth to play there, I thought the idea was to have J Smith as the second hooker?

I would have gone with;
1. Fitzpatrick
2. Broughton
3. Tyrer or Littler
4. Talau
5. Gibson
6. Ratchford
7. M Smith
8. Cashmere
9. Alker
10. Boyle
11. Parker
12. Adamson
13. Swain
14. Holdsworth (then you have the option of him playing at half back or at Loose and moving Swin into the second row)
15. J Smith (Half back or Hooker)
16. Leuluai
17. Sidlow

According to MEN Talau isnt playing


K.O.T.S. hope Littler isnt in the centre's

Parky for coach! But i think i would have jewitt in the squad over boyle

Looking at the named squad, my thoughts are that we would be better off playing Broughton and McGilvray on the wings with Talau and Gibson in the centres. Gibson has played there before so I see no reason in naming him on the wing instead of McGilvray.

Is Sidlow injured? I see no reason in naming two additional centres in the squad when we have Sidlow, who I think would be the better option instead of Sibbit. Even naming Jewitt in there instead of one of Tyrer or Littler would give us a bit more size to choose from.

I agree that Jeremy Smith should not be starting at scrum half with Matty Smimth and Holdsworth in the team. Hasn't Matty Smith started at scrum half in both pre-season games as well? Jezza's shown his worth coming off the bench and running from dummy half and has looked effective doing so both in pre-season and in the instances when he played in that role last season.

I agree with your mention of the size of the pack. It looks like we'll probably be playing with two forwards on the bench as well with Leuluai and Boyle.

Out of the squad list named on the Sky Sports website, I think it should be Littler and Tyrer who miss out on the 17, with this being the starting lineup:

1. Fitzpatrick
2. Broughton
3. Gibson
4. Talau
5. McGilvray
6. Ratchford
7. M Smith
8. Cashmere
9. Alker
10.Parker
11.Sibbit
12.Adamson
13.Swain

14.J Smith
15.Holdsworth
16.Leuluai
17.Boyle

Talau is injured, what a suprise. After reading todays MEN i think the team will line up:

Fitzy
Broughton
Tyrer
Littler (i would play Littler over Gibson as he add size & power & think Dunc did enough last year to warrant a place over Gibson on the wing)
McGilvray
Ratchford
M.Smith
Cashmere
Alker
Parker
Swain
Adamson
Holdsworth

J.smith
Boyle
Sibbit
Big phil

Its a tough one with regard to Holdsworth wether to play him from the start or use him as an impact player.

I think I like the idea of Adamson and Swain in the Second Row with Holdsworth at Loose Forward.

Just as long as the 17 on duty do us proud!! Here's hoping!

FULL BACK Karl Fitzpatrick (1)

WINGER Jodie Broughton (2)
CENTRE Ashley Gibson (5)
CENTRE Steve Tyrer (20)
WINGER Dean McGilvray (24)

STAND OFF Stefan Ratchford (6)
SCRUM HALF Matty Smith (14)

PROP Ray Cashmere (icon_cool.gif
HOOKER Malcolm Alker (9)
PROP Robert Parker (10)
SECOND ROW Luke Adamson (12)
SECOND ROW Luke Swain (13)
LOOSE FORWARD Daniel Holdsworth (21)

[TODAY'S REPLACEMENTS

Jeremy Smith (7)
Ian Sibbit (11)
Phillip Leuluai (16)
Ryan Boyle (19)

That is a very weak centre partnership. We need Talau fit asap

Any idea when Talau will be back fit?

The big decision is not to play Ratchford at 6 and he needs to make that call.Holdsworth should be at stand off.
McGilvray should not be in the squad.
Pack needs weight and power so Boyle ,Jewitt and Phil should all be in the 17.

Those young centres are ok, Talau is way past it.

Talau is certainly not past it IF he stays fit - but you have to start to wonder whether that will be the case.

I agree on the Ratchford/Holdsworth dilemma - it's difficult to see how you fit them both in, both extremely talented - I suppose you can only be thankful that for once we have such a dilemma.

Personally - & I'm sure I'll get shot to pieces, assuming Talua isn't fit, then I'd play Stewart Littler rather than Gibson as his defence is sounder

And Gibson on the wing rather than McGilvray