Leeds Rhinos squad to face Wakefield: Ash Handley, Max Simpson, Levi Edwards, Derrell Olpherts, Liam Tindall, Morgan Gannon, Richie Myler, Sam Walters, Kruise Leeming, Tom Holroyd, Joe Gibbons, James McDonnell, James Donaldson. Subs: Jarrod O'Connor, Justin Sangare, Leon Ruan, Mackenzie Turner, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Alfie Edgell, Oli Field, Jack Smith.

Handley full back and Gannon stand off.
Missing from the squad Fusitua, Newman, MacDonald, Austin, Sezer, Oledzki, Tetavano, Martin, Bentley, Smith, Lisone. Might have missed someone.

Myler?
Edit: no, my bad. Myler plays.

Got our tickets

Yep...5 of us going

Quote ="FIL"Yep...5 of us going '" Good job you got them early https://twitter.com/WTrinityRL/status/1 ... 48/photo/1

Quote ="FIL"Yep...5 of us going '" Good job you got them early https://twitter.com/WTrinityRL/status/1 ... 48/photo/1

Squad for Boxing Day:
Matty Ashurst (C)
Renouf Atoni
Eddie Battye
Josh Bowden
Harry Bowes
Rob Butler
Robbie Butterworth
Jordy Crowther
Sam Eseh
Lee Gaskell
Max Jowitt
Lee Kershaw
Joe Law
Tom Lineham
Mason Lino
Reece Lyne
Lewis Murphy
Jay Pitts
Oliver Pratt
Morgan Smith
Jai Whitbread
Dane Windrow

Strong squad and nice to see some of the young lads in there too.

Looking at the 2 squads we should be favourites.

When you actually see the list, we have a slightly stronger squad than I thought, especially as a few are still missing and a biggy to come.

I'm not pretending, it's a new squad with an untried coach (but aren't they all at some point) and it could go either way but I can't see a player in that lot I wouldn't play regular or in parts, with the possible exception of Law, Pratt and Butterworth, who have a bit to go yet.

A bit sad but I’ve written down and looked over our squad a number of times and other than a question mark over the 6 position I firmly believe we are going into 2023 stronger.

We have Taufua, Proctor and Atoni who between them bring 500+ nrl games experience. That is an enormous injection of experience from the NRL.

Langi has been a top 4 Centre in SL for 5 years and he’s still in his prime years. Better than the likes of Luetele etc. That’s consistent proof of quality.

Smith looking at the highlights looks to me like a young Miller. Can tackle and is more of a runner but appears to have a good short kicking game close to the line (that is imo what we have lacked for years).

Bowden looks like a solid performer down the middle and for me showed up well at prop back end of 2022. Happy to have him in 2023 from start of season.

The young lads are all a year older and wiser and some with more SL games under their belt. I expect continual improvement will boost the team and crucially the depth.

I’m honestly quite optimistic this season. By the sounds of it the players are working hard and if we get the fitness and pre season on point it will only see further improvements.

Out of the Boxing Day team we still miss the likes of….

Hood, Kay, Taufua, Hall, Proctor, Langi, Tanginoa, who I would be expecting to play. That said I look at the team and to me it still looks fairly strong. Im pretty happy with where we are.

I’m looking forward to seeing the below players…

Eseh (Could be his breakthrough season finally)
Butler (there was improvement end of 2022, if he’s in shape we could be into a winner).
Bowes (real chance for him to stake a claim in his 3rd FT season)
Windrow (like Bowes needs to show this season he can step up)

Atoni has big shoes to fill in big Dave but after only just landing I don’t expect too much.

I’m happy for people to underestimate trinity for 2023. My positivity is well and truly back.

9 tickets for this one for my family and a couple of first timers who hopefully like what they see and become regulars . Like to say they’ve all paid ,but alas that’s families for you ,and as much as I moan I wouldn’t want it any other way .

How many of our current squad are missing

Hood, Kay, Taufua, Hall, Proctor, Langi, Tanginoa, off the top of my head.

O’Donnovan possibly too though there was rumour he wasn’t with the first team still. He did sign till end of 2023 though I think.

Quote ="Kettykat"9 tickets for this one for my family and a couple of first timers who hopefully like what they see and become regulars . Like to say they’ve all paid ,but alas that’s families for you ,and as much as I moan I wouldn’t want it any other way .'" Must have been you that bought them all, trinity have none left. https://twitter.com/WTrinityRL/status/1 ... 65/photo/1

Quote ="Kettykat"9 tickets for this one for my family and a couple of first timers who hopefully like what they see and become regulars . Like to say they’ve all paid ,but alas that’s families for you ,and as much as I moan I wouldn’t want it any other way .'" Must have been you that bought them all, trinity have none left. https://twitter.com/WTrinityRL/status/1 ... 65/photo/1

I agree and I’m also comfortable with our 6 position with 3 players on the squad able to operate there.

My main concern is all squads have strengthened that were around us last year and Leigh are replacing Toulouse.

Wire won’t be on the bottom 2 next year.

I do believe we will be a better team and put in better performance but I do still envisage it being a tough season.

I said at the start of the season just gone the next 2 years would be huge for Trinity on the field in view of all the great stuff happening off the field.

I expect us to be in for another rough ride but feel on and off the field we now have very strong foundations to finally really kick on in 24.

Given the panic that was growing in early December the club have pulled together a squad that on paper could have been significantly worse.

Quote ="Dunkirk Spirit" Quote ="Kettykat"9 tickets for this one for my family and a couple of first timers who hopefully like what they see and become regulars . Like to say they’ve all paid ,but alas that’s families for you ,and as much as I moan I wouldn’t want it any other way .'" Must have been you that bought them all, trinity have none left. https://twitter.com/WTrinityRL/status/1 ... 65/photo/1'" Have Always gone and now the kids n grandkids have tagged along including the ladies , more the merrier I say ,and always nice to get some fresh air after the Christmas Day mayhem

Quote ="Dunkirk Spirit" Quote ="Kettykat"9 tickets for this one for my family and a couple of first timers who hopefully like what they see and become regulars . Like to say they’ve all paid ,but alas that’s families for you ,and as much as I moan I wouldn’t want it any other way .'" Must have been you that bought them all, trinity have none left. https://twitter.com/WTrinityRL/status/1 ... 65/photo/1'" Have Always gone and now the kids n grandkids have tagged along including the ladies , more the merrier I say ,and always nice to get some fresh air after the Christmas Day mayhem

Quote ="Kettykat" Quote ="Dunkirk Spirit" Quote ="Kettykat"9 tickets for this one for my family and a couple of first timers who hopefully like what they see and become regulars . Like to say they’ve all paid ,but alas that’s families for you ,and as much as I moan I wouldn’t want it any other way .'" Must have been you that bought them all, trinity have none left. https://twitter.com/WTrinityRL/status/1 ... 65/photo/1'" Have Always gone and now the kids n grandkids have tagged along including the ladies , more the merrier I say ,and always nice to get some fresh air after the Christmas Day mayhem'" Don’t forget the thermals and flasks! I’m taking a flask this year and got my thermals ready! Love a good Boxing Day fixture though.

Quote ="Kettykat" Quote ="Dunkirk Spirit" Quote ="Kettykat"9 tickets for this one for my family and a couple of first timers who hopefully like what they see and become regulars . Like to say they’ve all paid ,but alas that’s families for you ,and as much as I moan I wouldn’t want it any other way .'" Must have been you that bought them all, trinity have none left. https://twitter.com/WTrinityRL/status/1 ... 65/photo/1'" Have Always gone and now the kids n grandkids have tagged along including the ladies , more the merrier I say ,and always nice to get some fresh air after the Christmas Day mayhem'" Don’t forget the thermals and flasks! I’m taking a flask this year and got my thermals ready! Love a good Boxing Day fixture though.

There is a player called Law named in the squad. Anyone know if he is a relative of some of the other Laws that have played for us in the past.

From the very little information I can see he is a back. Probably a winger.

On the photos for pinderfields hospital yesterday he looks a similar frame to Murphy but maybe slightly taller.

Don’t know much about him in terms of his strengths or what type of winger he is.

He's Graham Law's son.
Used to play for us. See him at the club a lot.
If he plays like his dad he'll go well.

Yes he is, but don't know which one.

He's very slight but he's very tough and knows the basics of the game. Could be a Richard Slater type. But it has to be said, physically he's way off for now from what I've seen. Still reckon he could be a winner all the same.

Is Pratt a winger or a centre? Not seen him play, but am I right in thinking he's tipped for big things?

Both I believe.

I'm told he's something special, a natural athlete and a decent Rugby brain.

He looks great at Academy level but obviously senior level is a whole new ball game, but in theory, he's the business.

If I remember both Pratt and Beevers? Got pretty good raps as our academy centres.

The full time environment should do wonders for these academy lads in terms of their physical development.

Quote ="Trojan Horse" Quote ="vastman" Quote ="imwakefieldtillidie"Is Pratt a winger or a centre? Not seen him play, but am I right in thinking he's tipped for big things?'" Both I believe. I'm told he's something special, a natural athlete and a decent Rugby brain. He looks great at Academy level but obviously senior level is a whole new ball game, but in theory, he's the business.'" If I remember both Pratt and Beevers? Got pretty good raps as our academy centres. The full time environment should do wonders for these academy lads in terms of their physical development.'" It will, and there is an outside chance Pratt could play if there was a huge injury crisis, but I doubt it this year. Just seen this, looks like there has been a fair old clean out in the Academy, not to many names I recognise. Also Pratt is still officially an Academy player! https://wakefieldtrinity.com/academy/

Quote ="Trojan Horse" Quote ="vastman" Quote ="imwakefieldtillidie"Is Pratt a winger or a centre? Not seen him play, but am I right in thinking he's tipped for big things?'" Both I believe. I'm told he's something special, a natural athlete and a decent Rugby brain. He looks great at Academy level but obviously senior level is a whole new ball game, but in theory, he's the business.'" If I remember both Pratt and Beevers? Got pretty good raps as our academy centres. The full time environment should do wonders for these academy lads in terms of their physical development.'" It will, and there is an outside chance Pratt could play if there was a huge injury crisis, but I doubt it this year. Just seen this, looks like there has been a fair old clean out in the Academy, not to many names I recognise. Also Pratt is still officially an Academy player! https://wakefieldtrinity.com/academy/