Hampshire Clare crookes brown Higson ridyard drinkwater Weston hood green Hansen Stewart patterson subs pellisier Hopkins Maria hock

1. Hampshire
2. Clare
3. Tonga
4. Brown
5. Dawson
6. Ridyard
7. Drinkwater
8. Hock
9. Higham
10. Weston
11. Paterson
12. Stewart
13. Hansen

Subs:
Pelissier
Hopkins
Green
Acton

Can't believe people are leaving out Higham. He was Championship Player of the Year last season and it must have been the easiest decision ever. He was head and shoulders above anyone else in the division, including our own players!

Not far off agreeing, but you say how can folk leave out Higham?Which I would agree , Higham every time for me, but to leave out Ben Crooks is madness , this guy will be a SL star hopefully it will be this season, I would include Weston if he is fit , and have Danny Tickle and Vea ,over Jamie Acton every day of the week.

For me its got to be...

1 Hampshire
2 Clare
3 Crooks
4 Brown
5 Dawson
6 Riddy
7 Drinky
8 Hock
9 Higham
10 Green
11 Patterson
12 Stewart
13 H

14 Pelisier
15 Tickle
16 Maria
17 Hopkins

18 Reynolds i would take reynolds as 18th man and assess riddy in the warm up. If hes fit and good to go we could really do with him to lead us around. If not then its a long season and we dont need to take any early risks.

Not far off right here, in fact I may agree.

Didn't Neil say, in his post-Dewsbury press conference, that Clare injured his knee ligaments and will be out for two weeks?

Cas is on Friday, Alan. To Bongser's understanding (that must be admitted is often clouded) James is only Clare at the weekend. Makes him available for the Leeds game too.

They are omissions yeah. I was just picking the best team I thought we could field.

I think Jukesy will pick Hock, Tickle, Higham etc... but that's the team I'd go for.

Watched the Wigan game again and I would go

Hampshire
Clare Crooks Brown Higson
Ridyard Drinkwater
Hock Higham Green
Patterson Stewart
Hansen

Acton Vea Pellisier Weston

I am undecided on Hock/Weston to start but we will need Mickey for this game

1. Hampshire
2. Naughton - Higgy if fit
3. Crooks
4. Brown
5. Dawson
6. Riddy
7. Drinky
8. Weston
9. Higham
10. Hock
11. Patterson
12. Stewart
13. Hansen

14. Pellisier
15. Green
16. Hopkins
17. Maria/Vea

Hedging your bets Keith? On the 're Cas Warning' thread, you say you hope Riddy plays?



As for Patterson playing stand off, he had a blinder there at Bradford last season - for 65 minutes - then the whole team suffered an alarming power cut. Not sure he could manage 80 minutes there.

Rangi is being talked up a lot, by many people. He's "never been happier", he is quoted as saying. (didn't he say that when he'd been at Leigh for a couple of weeks too?

) I do think we have players in the back row, who can/will keep him quiet, and I reckon he'll be watching for them! Also, he has had a tendency to do something stupid, when things aren't going his way. It will be interesting to see how his temperament copes with facing some of his former team-mates!!

True Keith. I wouldn't wish the problems he had, on my worst enemy. I too hope he succeeds - just not on Friday!



As for Powell, I have always rated him - I reckon he got a really raw deal, when in charge at Leeds. He has succeeded in putting back the 'Classy' into Cas.

Thanks Keith. You too!

1. Hampshire
2. Naughton - Higgy if fit
3. Crooks
4. Brown
5. Dawson
6. Riddy
7. Drinky
8. Weston
9. Higham
10. Hock
11. Patterson
12. Stewart
13. Hansen

14. Pellisier
15. Green
16. Hopkins
17. Maria/Vea

Brown at FB Hampshire on wing if Higson not fit, Tonga @

If Higson is fit, Would you leave out Hampshire?

Was expecting that



An interesting dilemma early on, can see Brown being strong defensively at FB with a good return - he looks solid, but Hampshire probably gives more going forward and has the hands to add options like McNally does.

Considering what Cas are likely to throw at us offensively, then yes he would miss out for me.

Reckon we could have different game plans for different opposition, a lot of knowledge with our coaches to mix it up.

Would play him against Leeds without doubt

Damage limitation Brown to FB. To win Hampshire to FB. Hampshire all day, Tonga and Higson both in then Crooks to wing

No Matty Dawson then?

1/ Brown
2/Hampshire
3/Crooks
4/Tonga
5/Dawson

6/Ridyard (if fit, Patterson if not)
7/Drinkwater

8/Hock
9/Higham
10/Weston
11/Stewart
12/Patterson
13/Hanson

14/Pellisier
15/Green
16/Hopkins
17/Vea

Think I would go with this first up. Riddy says he's fit

so go with him Cory can slip in there during the game if need be!
Willie Tonga plays, he looks fit and has the highest pedigree of any of our players, theirs too probably!
Brown already has the number 1 shirt so presumably the Coaching staff have considered him for that position? he provides a bigger physical presence than Hampshire and is better equipped under the high ball! The forwards will sort themselves!

Well I will leave it 2 our coaching staff but I rate Maria Hood and Acton plus a few more who nobody has included on this thread. guess it shows what a good squad we have this coming season.

Isn't t great to see so many opinions as to what is our best 17 - who ever you have selected the team is not weakened - just different options.

Hampshire has repeatedly said that he says he is a half back and he made a real difference when he switched to HB against Dewsbury. If Riddy is not fit - although a gamble I would be prepared to give him an opportunity at 6 with Drinky.

Acton hurt Wigan, and could easily force his way into the 17. Hampshire looked good at FB as that extra half back that makes us tick, poaching around the ruck supporting breaks also. Tonga is potentially one of SLs best centres, even with 2 out we have options, and I expect Stewart will have a blinder

1. Brown
2. Naughton
3. Crooks
4. Tonga
5. Dawson
6. Hampshire
7. Drinkwater
8. Hock
9. Higham
10. Weston
11. Hansen
12. Stewart
13. Paterson

Subs:
Hood
Vea
Green
Acton