STARTING 13 Matt Dufty; Alfie Johnson, Rodrick Tai, Toby King, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Oli Leyland; Paul Vaughan, Danny Walker, Luke Yates, Adam Holroyd, Dan Russell, Ben Currie Good to see the new boys getting an early chance to show what they can do.

Buzzing to see Holroyd starting, and will be interesting to see how Russell goes against a super league strength team. And interesting to see Alfie Johnson on the wing, seems to have really impressed pre-season, and by all accounts had a good game against Widnes. Does anyone know if this is off merit, or does Thewlis have an injury, think i remember something about his shoulder?

Thewlis, Hayes, Powell, Harrison & Fitzgibbon not available all recovering from injury. Stefan Ratchford and Arron Lindop also miss game. UPDATE from Warrington Guardian Warrington Wolves team for Toby King Testimonial Matt Dufty; Alfie Johnson, Rodrick Tai, Toby King, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Oli Leyland; Paul Vaughan, Danny Walker, Luke Yates, Adam Holroyd, Dan Russell, Ben Currie Subs: Joe Philbin, Zane Musgrove, Jordy Crowther, Tom Whitehead, Cai Taylor-Wray, Max Wood, Lucas Green, Luke Thomas, Jake Thewlis, Zac Bardsley-Rowe, Nolan Tupaea, Ben Hartill, Joe Hickey

[quote="Smiffy27":9jjz93sk]Thewlis, Hayes, Powell, Harrison & Fitzgibbon not available all recovering from injury. Stefan Ratchford and Arron Lindop also miss game. UPDATE from Warrington Guardian Warrington Wolves team for Toby King Testimonial Matt Dufty; Alfie Johnson, Rodrick Tai, Toby King, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Oli Leyland; Paul Vaughan, Danny Walker, Luke Yates, Adam Holroyd, Dan Russell, Ben Currie Subs: Joe Philbin, Zane Musgrove, Jordy Crowther, Tom Whitehead, Cai Taylor-Wray, Max Wood, Lucas Green, Luke Thomas, Jake Thewlis, Zac Bardsley-Rowe, Nolan Tupaea, Ben Hartill, Joe Hickey[/quote:9jjz93sk] Connor Wrench also missing. Hope Lindop & Ratch aren’t too serious. 8 missing in total but still a fair side for a preseason game

[quote="Kevin Turvey":306v2c3x]Connor Wrench also missing. Hope Lindop & Ratch aren’t too serious. 8 missing in total but still a fair side for a preseason game[/quote:306v2c3x] Wrench won’t be back till Easter ish I think.

[quote="Kevin Turvey":3eiwzhni]Connor Wrench also missing. Hope Lindop & Ratch aren’t too serious. 8 missing in total but still a fair side for a preseason game[/quote:3eiwzhni] We’re talking about Wire not St Helens.

[quote="Or thane":1xrj7ki0]Buzzing to see Holroyd starting, and will be interesting to see how Russell goes against a super league strength team. And interesting to see Alfie Johnson on the wing, seems to have really impressed pre-season, and by all accounts had a good game against Widnes. Does anyone know if this is off merit, or does Thewlis have an injury, think i remember something about his shoulder?[/quote:1xrj7ki0] Holroyd still looked a young lad last season. The extra time would have matured him and put muscle on him. Being hurt by Bateman wouldn’t do his eagerness any harm either.

[quote="Alffi_7":26zevaqj]Wrench won’t be back till Easter ish I think.[/quote:26zevaqj] Encouraging. They said this about Jesus, and that seemed to work out quite well.

[quote="easyWire":1ykwgekg]They said this about Jesus, and that seemed to work out quite well.[/quote:1ykwgekg] Can he play prop?

[quote="easyWire":2goahbfa]Encouraging. They said this about Jesus, and that seemed to work out quite well.[/quote:2goahbfa] Return nailed on for Good Friday

Hayes out for 5 weeks

Thought Leyland didn’t do too badly yesterday.

[quote="easyWire":3eqikzp9]Thought Leyland didn’t do too badly yesterday.[/quote:3eqikzp9] He’s the one I’ve been most impressed with in the two pre season games

[quote="Alffi_7":121qvhrd]He’s the one I’ve been most impressed with in the two pre season games[/quote:121qvhrd] Leyland has surpassed my expectations in the 2 games he's played. I'm quite comfortable with him taking the 7 slot for a few weeks and then it's up to Hayes to fight his way back in. He kicked both goals from the touchline and a 40-20 last night and looked pretty dangerous with ball in hand. Holroyd picked up where he left off last season and Russell (bar the silly penalty on our own line) looked a bit more up to speed. Add Thewlis, Powell, Harrison and Fitzgibbon to the mix for round one and we should go ok. I also thought Alfie Johnson looked more comfortable last night as well - made a couple of errors but took the ball up pretty strongly. Interesting to see the squad v Haven. I hope Philbin's knock wasn't too serious.

Leylands a good player and is better than Hayes, him playing well and carrying on in the same form he was at for London isn't surprising at all. Gutted for Hayes but glad Leyland is getting a chance in the halves.

[quote="Or thane":to855o4h]Leylands a good player and is better than Hayes, him playing well and carrying on in the same form he was at for London isn't surprising at all. Gutted for Hayes but glad Leyland is getting a chance in the halves.[/quote:to855o4h] "Better than Hayes" is a big shout, not sure that we've seen enough of either to be making that claim although you are entitled to that opinion. My hope is that they will each push each other for the starting slot and may the best man win

If I was poked with a stick for sitting on the fence of Hayes and Leyland, I’d have to go with Leyland, but as UR hints, it’s far from proven.

Leyland is a lot more experienced than Hayes (94 games vs 12) and 3 years older (23 vs 20). From what I have seen his kicking game is better and his goal kicking is worth a lot. He is now going to start for half a dozen games at least and it will be up to Hayes to displace him. Glad we signed him otherwise we would be looking at Ratchford in the halves.

[quote="Uncle Rico":18mp4uft]"Better than Hayes" is a big shout, not sure that we've seen enough of either to be making that claim although you are entitled to that opinion. My hope is that they will each push each other for the starting slot and may the best man win[/quote:18mp4uft] I wouldn't say it's a big shout at all, unlucky Hayes got injured, but we've seen Leyland play a full season and seen what he can do. Fair enough we haven't seen the same amount of game between them, but from what we've seen Leyland has a better kicking game and takes the line on more. So from what we've seen he is 'Currently' a better player than Hayes. I Hope Hayes gets back to 100% and kicks on, i'm not saying Hayes is average or miles behind Hayes but taking the rose tinted glasses off with Hayes, Leyland has a better all round game so is better.

[quote="Or thane":3iw06ur2]I wouldn't say it's a big shout at all, unlucky Hayes got injured, but we've seen Leyland play a full season and seen what he can do. Fair enough we haven't seen the same amount of game between them, but from what we've seen Leyland has a better kicking game and takes the line on more. So from what we've seen he is 'Currently' a better player than Hayes. I Hope Hayes gets back to 100% and kicks on, i'm not saying Hayes is average or miles behind Hayes but taking the rose tinted glasses off with Hayes, Leyland has a better all round game so is better.[/quote:3iw06ur2] This is a fair assessment, until Hayes plays an equal amount of games to show us what he is all about Leyland is just ahead.

[quote="Wires71":1bpp5ac5]Leyland is a lot more experienced than Hayes (94 games vs 12) and 3 years older (23 vs 20). From what I have seen his kicking game is better and his goal kicking is worth a lot. He is now going to start for half a dozen games at least and it will be up to Hayes to displace him. Glad we signed him otherwise we would be looking at Ratchford in the halves.[/quote:1bpp5ac5] I have no issue with Ratchford playing halfback. He is like a John Woods. He is fit as he walks everyday for miles on top of his club training schedule.

[quote="rubber duckie":1twiv2m7]I have no issue with Ratchford playing halfback. He is like a John Woods. He is fit as he walks everyday for miles on top of his club training schedule.[/quote:1twiv2m7] I don't think I can compare Stefan Ratchford to John Woods. Are we not trying to establish a team capable of finishing #1 or #2 in the league and winning the Grand Final? Do you think that is possible with a 36 year old Ratchford at scrum half?

Tom Whitehead has played well in the friendly's. He has lot of skill and he's working hard. I know there is a lot of competition in his position but he's stepping up.

[quote="Or thane":26m2ok55]I wouldn't say it's a big shout at all, unlucky Hayes got injured, but we've seen Leyland play a full season and seen what he can do. Fair enough we haven't seen the same amount of game between them, but from what we've seen Leyland has a better kicking game and takes the line on more. So from what we've seen he is 'Currently' a better player than Hayes. I Hope Hayes gets back to 100% and kicks on, i'm not saying Hayes is average or miles behind Hayes but taking the rose tinted glasses off with Hayes, Leyland has a better all round game so is better.[/quote:26m2ok55] I don't want to come across as argumentative for the sake of it, but fair play to you and others that have "seen Leyland play a full season", I've only managed to watch him on three or four occasions, so the jury is still out for me and I suspect others, rather than rose tinted viewing either way. From what I have seen on [b:26m2ok55]limited viewing[/b:26m2ok55] they BOTH take the line on Leyland has a better kicking game and Hayes is better defensively. Hayes did really well pre-injury, well enough to keep Drinkwater at bay, let's see whether Leyland can do the same with his chance I'm open minded BTW not backing one against the other as I said previously may the best man win

[quote="Smiffy27":2mu8ucy3]Tom Whitehead has played well in the friendly's. He has lot of skill and he's working hard. I know there is a lot of competition in his position but he's stepping up.[/quote:2mu8ucy3] Yes really liking the look of Whitehead, thought he's done very well.