So, after a positive pre season, we not move onto the first SL game, really big game, as there should be a big crowd and a win against a Radford coached team who we haven't beaten yet would be a real confidence boost, they look to have recruited well, but have had a bit of disruption with Radford hardly being present for pre season.

Squad looking really healthy, so going to be really tough to pick the 17, I'm sure I'll change my mind over the next two weeks, think the backs is easy to choose after Mcnamara had a good game yesterday, but I'd have Lovodua on the bench to cover hooker and also 6 , if things aren't working out for Ben, can also do a spell in the backrow if needed. If the 3 who haven't played pre season are fit, I'd go with this side.

Hoy
McIinhtosh
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Swift
McNamara
Clifford
Satae
Dwyer
Taylor
Lane
Savelio
Fash

Sao
Evans
Brown
Lovodua

Scott for Carlos
Griffin for Savelio
Cator for Sao

If any aren't fit.

Really looking forward to watching us this year, we won't win every game and might not even finish in the playoff, but based on what I've seen, we should be entertaining to watch with a better attitude.

I’d agree with that team, there’s a few players who will be unlucky to not be selected and I don’t know the last time I’ve felt that.

I imagine we might see griffin play for Savelio, with his history if injuries Tony might want to ease him in.

Crazy to see how far Taylor has come with a preseason under his belt. Hopefully we’ll get the 2016/2017 version of himself.

I’d have liked another friendly next week in prep. Playing the reserves squad with the likes of Savelio, Evans, Ligi & Carlos all getting a short sharp stint

Same for me really, can't remember the last time I looked at our possible 17 and thought there's a few that are unlucky to miss out.
Think both Dwyer and McNamara have earned their place to start against Cas. As you mention I wonder if Griffin will be in the 17 over Savelio with Smith preferring not rushing any player back? There's another 2 weeks to go before the game so anything can happen between now and then. Wouldn't be surprised if later this week Smith has some type of warm upgame in house for the likes of Carlos, Savelio, Ligi, Evans, Cator and Griffin (after being ill) to stretch their legs in game type situation. .

Certainly isn't going to be an easy game against Cas but the signs are there for an improvement on previous seasons in terms of the brand of rugby we will see, the effort and our results. After last seasons pitiful capitulation against Cas at home there is an added incentive to right those wrongs and not have any repeats.

For the first time in a long while I'm genuinely looking forward to the game rather than having that feeling of dread as the game approaches.

Very tough to pick a 17 but what a great position to be in.
How has Scott played in the 2 friendlies? Does he deserve to start even if Carlos is fit?
Does Mitch come back in for Mcintosh?
Who starts at 9?
Personally i'd keep Griffin in for Savelio

For me i'd go,

Hoy
Mitch
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Swift
Mcnamara
Clifford
Satae
Lovodua
Taylor
Griffin
Lane
Fash

Sao
Brown
Dwyer
Cator

Think your right about Lovodua on the bench for McNamara.
Radford will have him targeted as the perhaps weakest link.
It will be a good test for McNamara (and good for the team) if he can get through this ok.

I do feel that Scott is unlucky in that Carlos is too good of a player to be sitting on the sidelines if he is fully fit. He has had a strong pre season, injuries are bound to happen so he will get his chance.

Echo what others have mentioned, this is the most excitement I have had for a game in some time. Whilst important to stay grounded during pre season, I do think its worth enjoying the genuine feel good factor which seems to be surrounding the club. A good performance and (hopefully) a win off the back of it in front of 13/14k would be a perfect way to start the season.

I spoke to him at the Hall of Fame dinner and he was really positive and looked trim and ready to go. We chatted about last year and how much his injury set him back and he was never fully fit and chasing it all season. His performances certainly showed all that and more,but if he can stay relatively fit i'm confident he'll have a good season. Time for a few of our senior players to redeem themselves.

So nobody has Houghton in the 17 ?? Can't see that happening.

Fingers crossed for Joe Cator, he was great before his injuries, loads of enthusiasm & decent pace. To me a better version of Ellis Longstaff, stronger & more experienced. Think he is OOC this year so hope he is back to his best.

Great to have such a squad available, should allow those carrying knocks to miss a week rather than turning out at 80%. Good young forwards in the wings - best crop I can remember for a while.

I agree about Houghton
Cant see Smith leaving him out although Lovodua on the bench is probably the better option
wouldnt be surprised if the club organise a closed doors friendly this weekend to give a run out to the likes of Savelio and Carlos

No championship teams available. The lower comps have started.

Here's one to through out there if Savelio isn't 100% what about

Hoy
McIntosh
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Swift
McNamara
Clifford
Satae
Dwyer
Taylor
Lane
Sao
Fash

Cator/Griffi
Evans
Brown
Lovodua

As for Hioughton I would rather we look to the future and start with the likes of Dwyer & Lovodua, I'm sure Houghton will play a part at some point during the season.

I can't see Houghton not being in the 17, Smith will play him, Lover offers his versatility of the bench can cover a lot of positions, there is going to be a lot of upset blokes missing out for the first game, which makes a change.
Hoy
MacIntosh
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Swift
Macca
Clifford
Taylor
Houghton
Sao
Dre or Griffin
Lane
Fash
Subs
Satae
Brown
Dwyer
Evans or Lover and the one not picked 18th man
So we are going to have Griffin, Scott, Shaul, Cator and Mitch. Plus young ones Laidlaw, Gardner, Staveley(going to be one to watch, he was the highly rated one out of him and Balmforth), Litten and Barron.
Injured Trueman and Wynne

Looking forward to this one. Ive wiped the slate clean and bought into the hype and spent a fortune on FC clobber and im bringing my new bird to her first game at the KC with my kids too. Cant wait

People have finally seen what I've said for ages

We need a attacking 9 which Houghton isn't

Dwyer is far and away better than Houghton and lovodua offers versatility

Hoy
Swift
Sutcliffe
Carlos/Scott
Mcintosh
McNamara
Clifford
Taylor
Dwyer
Satae
Griffin
Lane
Fash

Sao
Brown/Evans
Andre/Cator
Lovodua/Houghton

Some selection headaches for sure.

Wonder if we'll use our dual reg with Newcastle to try and get some more minutes into certain players this week

Hoy
Swift
Sutcliffe
Carlos/Scott
McIntosh
McNamara
Clifford
Sao
Lovodua
Evans
Savelio/Griffin
Lane
Fash

Satae
Taylor
Dwyer
Griffin/Brown/Cator

^^^^this for me, subs Sao, Brown, Cator and Lovodua. Judging by the friendlies. Evans and Savellio needs more miles in their legs. I know match fitness comes from playing but neither have had a lot of minutes, Evans unlucky not to get in the squad.

Pressure for places already , As already mentioned above , Nice headache to have .

we have two games in five days so can see the squad being utilised in both games especially the likes of Evans, Brown, Dre, Carlos and Sao, who have not had a full pre season.

Hearing through the grapevine that Leeds will be Carlos's first game back.

Yeah can see the club being more cautious with the players coming back as we have plenty of players available plus Cam Scott done well pre season. Be interesting to see if any of the fringe players play for Newcastle first week.

If that's the case then Cam Scott comes in for Carlos as up until his injury last season I thought he was playing well and had improved quite a bit on previous seasons. He has also played well in the pre season games and looks to have continued the form he was showing before his season ended. Seems the club are taking a very cautious approach which is sensible as no point risking any player so early when we have players available who play those positions, not just bodies moved to fill in.

I was told that Sao, Carlos and Dre would all be in the 17 for the Cas game, so seems like there's some mixed messages coming out of the club

Let's be honest nobody knows who's gonna be in the 17. Just guess work . Don't think it's mixed messages at all.I would assume Smith will wait till next week to decide who's in.

Not bothered about Ligi as he is a super fit guy but dont like the idea of Savelio and Carlos playing without any real pre season contact rugby when we have fit players available