I'll start the ball rolling. All the preparations are complete, it's time for a brave new dawn. I watched Catalans against Halifax and they were thoroughly unimpressive. Very slow and clunky, and Tomkins must be a doubt after picking up a knock. I'm sure they won't be as poor next week but still, they look there for the taking to me. Assuming no one pulls up after today I would be going with: Moy Barron Hardaker Rapana Martin Cust Sezer Ese'Ese Bourouh Aydin Cartwright Lane Asiata Ashworth Sao Holmes Balmforth I think Briscoe has a part to play as a squad player. He's seen everything in the game. But the two youngsters are just much more athletic these days, so I'm backing them. Much of the rest selects itself. I want Aydin starting for his energy. He does everything wholeheartedly and he will set the tone before the bigger bodies like Ashworth and Sao come on to, hopefully, do a bit of damage. Obviously I'd love a win, but as long as they compete hard and show some signs of a team on the up I'll be happy. I'm certain it won't be any worse than last year's opener.

Sounds like Tomkins has done his hammy. Guess Morgue will go to 1 with Keary and Fages at 6 and 7.

I’ve piled onto FC for this one $$$ I like the 10.5 start - feels like free money

I’d also go with Rapana in the centres and the two young wingers and Moy at 1 but there’s a few options. Think Cartwright might want to maximise Rapana’s impact on kick returns from fullback. In that case I’d just put Briscoe in the centres with Moy unlucky to miss out. There’s also the option to go with Briscoe on the wing over one of the young lads. That wouldn’t be my choice but can see the logic if it’s going to be an early season arm wrestle Briscoe is a strong runner out of backfield.

As you say good to have some options, I'd personally go with first side you suggested, I watched Catalans when I got home yesterday and they looked pretty poor, they should have Keary back, but Sam T will be out. There pack is strong, but they have weaknesses to exploit, particularly at hooker and in the centres, not convinced by Rouge or Morgue at halfback, both look like fullbacks. Going to be tough, but think we have a chance of shocking them.

My head is saying anything other than a strong performance where they have a real dig and go set for set with them will be a be bonus. My heart is hoping we can get the win there, but I'm only basing that on HDM articles and the preseason hope that I go into every season with. I think they'll have benefited more (fitness wise) from their games against Toulouse and Halifax than we will have with some players only playing 40 minutes so far. Catalans by 12, but a good opportunity to see what we can do.

I’d go with the 17 the OP suggested. Didn’t see the Catalan game yesterday but sounded like they struggled, they have a talented squad of players but seem to be unbalanced. Trying to get their best 17 on the pitch rather picking players in their best positions. Hoping we can sneak a win but a good performance with organised D, structured attack and better discipline is just as important.

For me, because of the opportunities they have had to play together in a match environment I feel that it will be rusty and clunky at times, but the experience keeps the gelling process continuing and obviously we'll field our strongest side and get an idea what Cartwright feels it is. I'm just hoping for a strong defence full of heart and passion, us staying in the game and signs the spine is likely to click anything else as posters have already said is a bonus.

By the time FC get in the plane and land they will be looking to win !!!!! If they’re looking to win then I’m all in

I think JC will go with the experience of Briscoe on Friday so a straight shootout between Martin and Barron for the other wing spot. Martin for me after his performance on Saturday. Also don't think Holmes will be risked with his knee so wouldn't be surprised if Fash is used off the bench as interchange second row.

[quote="RockNRolla":2d96ilsi]I think JC will go with the experience of Briscoe on Friday so a straight shootout between Martin and Barron for the other wing spot. Martin for me after his performance on Saturday. Also don't think Holmes will be risked with his knee so wouldn't be surprised if Fash is used off the bench as interchange second row.[/quote:2d96ilsi] Shows how short we are in back row if we have to use Fash there in round 1. He was getting drawn into Acorns niggle on Saturday despite warnings pre match, very poor.

[quote="FC Callum":37skco7i]Shows how short we are in back row if we have to use Fash there in round 1. He was getting drawn into Acorns niggle on Saturday despite warnings pre match, very poor.[/quote:37skco7i] Sims/Whitehead will have a field day if Fash is in the second row

This is a match where discipline wins The last game of last season we had the match won after 10 mins Then we knocked on 3x Have 6 penalties and 6 agains away Then we were behind and the heads went in a game we could easily have won So for me it’s very very flookin simple Completion rates and efforts in Defence and no penalties Do that and we win Piss around with 6 agains and knock ons and we’re inviting big trouble Carty will be hammering the basics into them I can only hope and pray

[quote="Steve0":ja4s3ylz]Sims/Whitehead will have a field day if Fash is in the second row[/quote:ja4s3ylz] Wasn't the case against Fax at the weekend

[quote="mwindass":i7q65001]Wasn't the case against Fax at the weekend[/quote:i7q65001] I don’t even know who Fax’s back rowers were at weekend but I know they’ll be better than Fash.

We need to attack Pangai Jr, he was behind the play so much at the weekend, his fitness is way off - make him do back to back tackles

[quote="Irregs#16":3lvcx0xs]We need to attack Pangai Jr, he was behind the play so much at the weekend, his fitness is way off - make him do back to back tackles[/quote:3lvcx0xs] I can't believe how bad they was, agree with what you say, same with Satae, he looks unfit and was caught out early. Also they have a loose forward at hooker for our two hookers to try and exploit. The only player that looked good was Cotric

[quote="Tarquin Fuego":2ikmq2u8]This is a match where discipline wins The last game of last season we had the match won after 10 mins Then we knocked on 3x Have 6 penalties and 6 agains away Then we were behind and the heads went in a game we could easily have won So for me it’s very very flookin simple Completion rates and efforts in Defence and no penalties Do that and we win mickey around with 6 agains and knock ons and we’re inviting big trouble Carty will be hammering the basics into them I can only hope and pray[/quote:2ikmq2u8] Also the away game early last season. MM got sent off in the first 10 mins, we were drawing 6-6, only needed to play basic rugby for 30-40 mins, then let the extra man make the difference in the 2nd half. Then Ashworth got sent off on 20 mins (albeit slightly unfairly). Discipline is going to need to be a huge improvement area for us this season. Think it was about the first 10 games last season before we completed the game with 13 men on the pitch for all the 80 minutes.

[quote="Rugby Raider":3qp8fuaz]Also the away game early last season. MM got sent off in the first 10 mins, we were drawing 6-6, only needed to play basic rugby for 30-40 mins, then let the extra man make the difference in the 2nd half. Then Ashworth got sent off on 20 mins (albeit slightly unfairly). Discipline is going to need to be a huge improvement area for us this season. Think it was about the first 10 games last season before we completed the game with 13 men on the pitch for all the 80 minutes.[/quote:3qp8fuaz] Was Sao, but agree with the rest.

Whilst our first 2 games is very much a tough start to our 2025 season I always feel it better playing the better teams at the very start as its a bit of a leveller as teams haven't had chance to hit their stride and everyone is naturally a little ring rusty. I'm not expecting to come away from France with the 2pts available but the minimum requirement has to be for us to be a tough team to beat, show significant improvements in our discipline, fitness & structure and play and compete and work hard as a team from minute zero to the 80th. Catalans so far haven't looked a team that gelled yet so there is a slight opportunity to upset the odds, however slight that maybe.

Cats 1/4 on...FC getting 14 start....

[quote="Chris71":1t3tu9r4]Whilst our first 2 games is very much a tough start to our 2025 season I always feel it better playing the better teams at the very start as its a bit of a leveller as teams haven't had chance to hit their stride and everyone is naturally a little ring rusty. I'm not expecting to come away from France with the 2pts available but the minimum requirement has to be for us to be a tough team to beat, show significant improvements in our discipline, fitness & structure and play and compete and work hard as a team from minute zero to the 80th. Catalans so far haven't looked a team that gelled yet so there is a slight opportunity to upset the odds, however slight that maybe.[/quote:1t3tu9r4] Its certainly a good time to play at Catalan We should be using our two young wings and not go with this play Briscoe for his experience rubbish. if we play Barron on the right and Martin left then both of them have experience at centre with Hardaker and Rapana Briscoe will get game time as i think he will play centre when the coach moves Rapana back to full back. The least said about Fash the better

Fages could be out for Catalans too. Broken ribs

[quote="FC Callum":c5to1lai]I don’t even know who Fax’s back rowers were at weekend but I know they’ll be better than Fash.[/quote:c5to1lai] Apart from a couple of disciplinary issues last season l don’t understand the Fash bashing. He’s highly thought of within the club. Watch the Cas video

[quote="TnT":2rulbopv]Apart from a couple of disciplinary issues last season l don’t understand the Fash bashing. He’s highly thought of within the club. Watch the Cas video[/quote:2rulbopv] Couple of disciplinary issues? His discipline was awful every week at a time when we needed long serving players to step up.