Are you likely to have a full squad available?


I think we will, not sure which side we'll field though as Crookes has put in a good claim for a centre spot through recent performances. I think our only two currently injured players (Scully and Platt) will be back to full fitness so no excuses on our part!

Looking forward to the game already!!

The entire first team has yet to play a pre-season game - We took some injuries over from last season which should all be available although I am not overly sure on Finnegan, Wild and Drew.

We play on Tuesday and after that we may be able to say more. Out first three games are critical - Bradford(H), Hull FC(A) and Hull KR(A) could shape our season.

Don't think we'll see Finnegan for a while yet as he's only just started his rehab after ops on his shoulder and neck. It'll be at least April / May before we see him. Last I heard Wild was confident of making the Bulls game. Kirmond was aiming for Feb but I haven't heard 'owt about him or Drew recently.

I understand your concern however I would not get too disheartened if you do not get the required results in the first 3...we won our first 5 last season then as you know it went pete tong!!

It's that head down mentality though - you saw it last season when you lost a few - you could not get any form back even though you have the squad capable of it.

Yes but we had a lot of problems (shipped about 10 players out), You have a good coach in Brown, he certainly got your guys firing last season and I am sure he will do that again this seson...you may have a slower start due to situations, but a few other teams had a slow start last season but went well at the business end of the season.

we also have a rather wildly publicised problem!

Yes I know

and it may well have a detrimental affect on the start of your campaign, however the team is run by a very inspirational coach and you have plenty of skill in the squad, I just don't think you should measure your season on your first 3 games, the players will want to just go out and do their jobs.

In a way things seem worse than they are. We're talking about rugby players here and there will have been countless incidents throughout all the clubs over a protracted period of time. This may be a bit more serious than the others but it could equally have a galvanising effect on them. A siege mentality perhaps. Who knows.

Withouth wanting to do these lads down too much we're talking about rugby players here and the stereotypical attitudes that go with it, and depending on what's gone on then they may not be too concerned at all. I don't want to fall into the trap of doom and gloom too soon on this one. It's too easy to get all doom and gloom and it solves nothing, it only makes things harder and what's the point when it might not be warranted.

Exactly, we will see what effect if any the situation has on the squad after the 1st few games.

I think, even with everything that has gone on so far this season, we can push on from last year and give the so called big boys a real run for their money.