I’m not sure how their pitch usually holds up but I can’t recall it being too bad and on the plus side the weather looks pretty dry in Hull over the next few days, with even a bit of sun forecast, so the conditions might not be too bad.

It should beat Fev last night anyway.

Sounds like Hardaker is fit so you’d assume he’d start in the centres.

I’m guessing this moves KPP to the bench. Disappointed not to see him get a run at centre in SL games. Not sure how we’ll get him on the pitch with Farrell and Bateman being 80min players (bateman to loose when isa comes off?)

I feel KPP might be wasted on the bench.

Or could Bibby miss out ?

Fascinated to see the team set up

It’s a nice position to be in.
Unfortunately I think Bibby may miss out. A great clubman but for me Hardaker has the edge on him as a centre.
I’m with you in that we need KPP on the pitch not on the bench.

Really looking forward to what I think will be a very tough opening game for us.

I was surprised by Davies in the GF thought he would have ironed out his frailties by now in defence but as you say they still seem to be there,still very good going forward mind.

On the subject of Silva if Wigan get close to having to use him this season I’d be very worried he’s one for the further down the road,not this season.

I’ve liked the look of Miski in the bits I’ve seen of him Over pre season. Looks nice and solid under the high ball and makes good metres running off our own line and looks to have a yard of pace too. Reminds me a bit of Brian Carney, think he could be a very good signing when he gets his chance!

He’s a machine Davies from a fitness and desire point of view and I’d love him back here but I’ve always felt his basic rugby league skills (catch, pass, defending kicks) are extremely limited. He makes up for it in other areas in spades but he will worry he if he turns out for England in the World Cup.

I agree he's more one for the future but I think you do him a disservice by saying you'd be worried if he played. He's a handful carrying the ball in. Ask him to play a simple gameplan concentrating on that and he'll do a good job. His defense was good in the pre season game (and I believe he's actually mentoring more senior players in the contact side of it) so I have no issues there.

I wouldn't like to rely on him at this early stage of his career but as 7th/8th choice he's more than capable of doing a job here and there. Put it this way; I'm not sure who our 7th/8th choice was last year but Silva is definitely an upgrade!

Interesting to note that both Liam Byrne and Patrick Mago are listed as 113kg - not sure how accurate that is but if true they're both just a couple of kilos shy of Alex Walmsley. Obviously not saying they're the same standard but it will be good to have some real size coming off the bench for a change. Definitely a big bulking up pre-season for Liam Byrne.

Largely the same starting lineup from the Wire game, bar a bit of a shuffle in the 3/4s.

That’s the squad I believe but replace Shorrocks for Hardaker

The penalties we are conceding are pathetic

Can you not get a more blatant steal than that

Child is hammering us here

James Child crowd pleaser.

Who's given the goal kicking duties to Field, each one has favvered a soggy loaf from the boot.

That said we've done well.

HT.

I'll take that but goal kicking again ffs!!

Must have been kicking them over in training but the good goalkickers are the cool customers who can handle the pressure on gameday.

Discipline poor but by far the most threatening team in the 1st half.

I'll say it again - how in the world have we not yet introduced the captain's challenge rule from the NRL. The strip on Mago and the knock-on from Cust are appalling decisions.

Child has been diabolical, biased beyond belief. Absolutely caned Wigan, very unprofessional imo.

Despite that Wigan have showed unreal skill to be in front after that shower from Child. Field MOS 40-1

Giving us less than nothing. Clear knock on from Coote and we end up on tackle 2 further back than the knock on.

We got warned for our foul play first half and there hasn't been a bad tackle yet.

Child is a disgrace, what a 'homer'.

Smithies has been good

It's absolutely shocking tbh.

Imagine being Matty Peet. All that work and prep he's put in to his coaching debut of his hometown club and some clown of a ref is absolutely killing us.

Tell you what tho, I'd take Vete at Wigan. Would be a great addition to our pack imo.

And then if you say the ref was poor you get fined.