Fair play to the club for going out earlier and preparing better

I personally couldn't care less when they team flies out, where they stay, how long for etc... as long as the club are doing what they thinks the best prep for the game who cares?

The outcome will likely be the same regardless of whether we fly, get a coach or travel by horseback

Litten, Severs and Charles to drop out for me and Gardiner/Lane 18th man

Walker
Martin
McIntosh
Carlos
Russell
Smith
Hoy
Ese'ese
Brown
Ashworth/Sao
Okunbor
Staveley
Houghton

Balmforth
Bullock
Ashworth/Sao
Lane/Gardiner

Had Brown not been suspended I'd have had Ligi at 13 as think he'd go well against Catalan in that role, could still possibly give him a stint there.

Still think its likely TS will go with a Brown/Smith pairing and Houghton at 9 for 80mins and Lane at 13 though.

Lane and houghton in the way of a promising young hooker who has all the tools to make an impact.

Frustrating

So, if we win against Catalan, would the start of the season be deemed as a strong start, or a disappointing start?

You've got Danny playing twice so he be shattered.

meant to add Lane/Gardiner

Lane be in the 17 he played well last week.

Think lane done ok this year. Deserves to be in the 17

but you have 23879 so like i said use some of that time to make your case
you are running out of ideas

Only 300 tickets left for tomorrow apparently! Catalan fans must be expecting an easy victory

or one of the trophy winning teams in the last 10 years in town

Think Kendall will be more lenient with us on Saturday, so I’ll go:

Ese’ese - Red card 3 mins
Ligi - Yellow card 12 mins
Ligi - Red 25 mins
Nu Brown - Yellow 37 mins
Walker - Yellow 53 mins
Bullock - Yellow 58 mins
Paul Rose - Red 62 mins
Cator - Yellow 66 mins
Fash - Yellow 68 mins
Griffin - Red 70 mins
Airlie Bird and Wattie - Yellow 72 mins
Houghton - Yellow 75 mins
Tariq Sims - On Report 79 mins

Throw in Paul woods in the first min

Paul Woods, the hardest man I ever saw play for Hull.

Never mind the first minute, Kendall would send him off in the warm up!

Don't forget 3 six agains in a row 10 seconds before the end of each half.

I reckon with Balmforth definitely not playing it will be.

Walker
Martin
Mcintosh
Carlos
Russell
Brown
Smith
Ese'ese
Houghton
Sao
Okunbor
Staveley
Lane

Ashworth
Bullock
Gardiner
Hoy or Charles

Really disappointed to see Balmforth not given an opportunity in the first team again. I appreciate Houghton had been a good servant to the club but just don’t get the continual obession to flog him for 80mins every week, for me it doesn’t benefit us he isn’t as effective much like St’s found with Roby but they saw sense to spell him to maximise his impact in a game.

lets hope we can cause an upset and beat the parasites

How are they parasites?….one of S/L success stories.

I can only assume his face doesnt fit, thought he had a good game at Wire. And of course theres a risk if Nu Brown does well he will head home again.

Disappointed Balmforth not getting game time. But maybe Smith is seeing something . Could be a fitness thing ? Who knows. Can't see the point of keeping him on this year if he doesn't rate him that doesn't make sense. Hope as the year goes on he gets more game time

We've got the club's captain and most experienced player and also a NZ international hooker in the squad so this was always going to be another season where Balmforth would likely only make occasional appearances. With Houghton retiring and Brown likely heading home I think DB will be a senior player from next season.