Dont think you will be far off there although, Crowther would be unlucky to miss out.
His defence was superb last season and he can drop in at 9 if we need to spell Wood (either of them).
He was one of our better and more consistent players last season

Sounds like k wood is injured

Tbh don’t really get the whole crowther as a defensive hooker we already have probably the best defensive hooker in sl with j wood. Who also makes a few decent breaks

If we are going to play someone as an interchange hooker then they have to be able to bring a change to the game play. If we are going to have another hooker them personally would give Brad walker a chance in the role

With K.Wood, Battye and a Jowitt all out it makes selection quite straight forward imo.

I think we will see something like this based on end of last season form and the Dewsbury run. I thought that Lyne and Senior linked well so I’d run with that. Batch was making breaks and looked fit and strong being the best forward on pitch at Dewsbury. This team has more than enough quality and steel to do the job imo.

A little harsh on Ashurst but I think Tanginoa and Batch have earned the starting shirts on last seasons run in and the Dewsbury game. He could take Walkers spot on the bench easily though.

Hampshire
Johnstone
Tupou
Lyne
Senior
Miller
Lino
Fifita
Crowther
Arona
Tanginoa
Batchelor
Westerman

J.Wood
Green
Tangata
B.Walker

For me, when you look at someone slotting in at hooker, the 2 key fundamentals you need is being confident and used to defending down the middle and a decent distribution both of which we know of Crowther can.

I would go with the same but Drop Batch to bench in Walkers place and start with Ashurst in the second row.

Although if Hampshire is fit to play (Which seems to be the case) I would be tempted to try find a spot for him.

Hampshire to FB if fit.

Walker is OK but IMO Hampshire is far better.

If you mean by distribution getting the ball in play yes I agree he does but have yet to see him making or creating a gap from play the ball, for me he either gets on in back row on merit

I’d be happy if Ashurst did play but he hasn’t anywhere near hit the heights of 2018 again. I see him as a solid SL player these days. He will do a decent/good job consistently. I just think Batch has been running some great lines, looks to have gained a yard of pace and has been in top form so it’s purely that I think he deserves it on current and recent form. If we are talking 2018 Ashurst he would be in the starting line up in a heartbeat but I think that boats sailed.

Last 6 or so games when batch came into the right SR for an injured Pitts the defence tightened up and it just looked much improved in attack and defence.

I agree Trojan, I just think Batchelor always makes an impact of the bench, so I would rather bring him on when bodies are starting to tire a bit, Ashurst plays 80 minutes effectively. To be honest I don`t know the best way to play Tanginoa? Does he play the full 80?

Yes Tanginoa definitely plays full 80. He sometimes fills in at prop in second half I believe.

I’d be happy if batch was on the bench and came on to rotate with Ashurst also. It’s a selection headache for Chester really but I feel Pitts and Ashurst are too similar players to have both in the team. Your solid professionals and steady Eddie types but won’t create too much. There’s an element of looking to the future too with players like Batchelor and Crowther who need regular game time. I firmly believe they can have excellent careers given the game time and to me their ready now.

Just to clarify though it’s not negative against Pitts/Ashurst. They are solid professional players and I’m pleased we have them in trinity shirts. Who ever pulls that shirt on will get my backing. It’s a team game and you can tell how hard the players have worked in training. They all look fittest I’ve seen them.

Who ever does take the field so long as we stick it to Leeds I’ll be happy

.

Leeds will come at us hard. We need to throw whatever they do back twice as hard especially in the forwards.

Going on express saying we have judt the 3 players out id go with

1,hampshire
2,tommy
3,billy
4,reece
5,senior
6,miller
7,lino
8,fifita
9,Crowther
10,arona
11,batch
12,kelepi
13,westerman

J wood
Green
Ashurst
B walker

Would like to see Hampshire as hooker ,know it will not happen but too good to leave out of 17

FB for me, Walker has not yet imho proved to be as good let alone better.

Is Liam Kay fit if yet he gets in ahead of Senior for. Senior proved last season that his defense needs working on.

Surly Hampshire at f/b if fit. Apparently the latest injuries are down to training on a new all weather pitch according to C C.

Not quite what he said, he said due to swapping between grass and artificial, not quite the same.

I'd argue you could say exactly the same about Kay on last years outings. I'm happy with either tbh but it will take a while to replace what was a good partnership between Lyne and BJB.

Couldn’t disagree more tbh mate. While Senior did have a few ropey moments early on such as running into touch and failing to take a few low ground balls I thought he was quite good towards the back end when he’d had a few games under his belt.

The reason I put him in ahead of Kaye was purely defence as i remember correctly Kaye had a shocker or two conceding 3 try’s in one game (I have Leeds in my head but could be wrong). It may have been an off game but in his very few appearances last season it left my highly suspect of his defensive positioning.

The other reason is in the Dewsbury game Lynne and Senior scores a good centre/wing try so seem to be developing some good understanding.

Of course if Kaye gets the nod I hope he has a belter and he’ll get my support but for me Senior gets the nod purely on what I’ve seen last and pre season.

He’s got the 5 shirt though and obviously Chester and the coaches know best.

True, although Kay didn't get much chance to shine before getting injured, his defence did look suspect, worse IMHO than Senior and when you consider the difference in experience it's a concern.

Agree, it says he only had 6 games in 2020. I thought it was less. He can certainly score some try’s as his record speaks for itself but your correct in saying he didn’t get much opportunity to show what he can do.

I’d be happy with either to start on the right wing to be honest. I just think Senior offers that bit more. Big shoes to fill from BJB.

How good is it to actually chat rugby though?!

I have just read the article again and no mention of changing from grass to 4g
We have been training on a new 4g training pitch and it's caused a few soft tissue injuries, calf strains etc.

I must admit that I hadn’t seen those injuries, and thought that Hampshire Was injured. If that is the case he will definitely get the FB spot. Regarding Kay and Senior I wouldnt mind either although I still think we will miss BJB more than we think for the amount of work he used to get through. Whichever one plays he will be under pressure from the other one.

You might be right, I think he says it on his Trinity TV interview I’ll check.

Bloody hell i agree with you lol.....