I'm not sure Turgut will play this week, I hope I'm wrong but I think we could do with Thompson in there instead with the loss of Bowden.

I'd start with Manu, Washy and Ellis. Will leave a bench of Mini, Green, Thompson and Connor. Thompson and Green to interchange with the props, and then rotate the SR and LF positions throughout to keep it fairly fresh.

radford always starts with his strongest pack so expect mini, manu and ellis as back 3. We really need thompson on the bench with green as interchange props. I'd expect him to play washy from the bench and I doubt he'll leave connor out of the 17

Midway Saturday. The car is packed. The hills in Scotland are covered in snow and no doubt the Pennines will be as well. We don't care. We don't care who Radford picks. We don't care if it's a stadium . It's super league. We follow Hull FC. We are heading south . Bring it on . Let's go win the league. COME ON YIU ULLLLLLLAAAAA
( do we sound excited )

If you are lucky, Harry's may well have a Rhubarb flavoured beer ......

Granted, he did last year. However, he'll want to get the best out of them being the age they are so rotation is key. I think we need two of Taylor, Ellis and Mini on at the same time in terms of leadership and I wouldn't be surprised to see one of Ellis or Mini start some games on the bench.

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking Ellis might end up being used off the bench as a prop. Last year we often lost our way when Taylor was off the pitch so having Ellis come on at that point would be a real improvement. Using him this way would also give our young back rowers an opportunity too.

Radford seems desperate to have Connor involved.
Dont understand why we need Connor on the bench when we are up against a big pack at Wakefield a heavy pitch and rain is forecast so not a day for open rugby.

Good point. Could maybe see Turgut then. One of Fonua, Michaels or Tui to miss out along with Connor/Turgut IMO.

Match day information https://wakefieldtrinity.com/match-day- ... n-hull-fc/

Match day information https://wakefieldtrinity.com/match-day- ... n-hull-fc/

think the weather will make it a 50/50 game tomorrow

I think not having that experienced 5th Prop will come back and bite us this season.Adam Pearson has mentioned in his interview that we would like another forward but cap issues exclude it.
Talk of using Connor off the bench in a game like this is ludicrous.
Going into this match given the expected conditions with a bench of Green,Thompson,Washbrook and hopefully Turgut is still lightweight.
Masi and Fash are supposed to be our next in line props yet not named but Michaels is included when we all know Fonua and Tuimavave will form the right edge unless there is an injury doubt we dont know about.
If there was ever a game to include a reserve prop then surely given the need for a bit more size on the bench this match would have been ideal.

There seems to be some angst on here in the lead up to the new season. I think most of the pressure comes from Hull fans themselves. Most pundits or supporters of other clubs have us 3rd-5th with Cas and in some cases Saints tipped to overtake us in the league and I've not seen anyone tip us to win silverware. I don't believe there's more pressure on us to perform or suceed.

Lets just see where we stand after half a dozen games or so.

think it will similar for us tomorrow as it was for warrington tonight. slow start, lots of errors, passes pushed it attack and too many penalties will result in a close defeat (our defence will be generally top notch). however come mid June i think we'll still be up at the business end.

don't read too much into the first couple of games - look how widnes started last season for example

Can you imagine if we lose the first two? It'll be carnage.

Why is something always ludicrous when it's different to your opinion? IMO we're stronger in defence across the team this season and the pack shouldn't have to do most of the work as last year plus FC should be be stronger going forward. I also don't see the need to sign another prop but heyho, that will be seen as ludicrous also. Try not to be so critical of other posts, it's only your opinion.

I'm surprised bonny thinks we are a prop short, I don't remember him mentioning it before.

Bowden has played 87 games for FC and Green 75 so are well established SL players and both played important roles last season in addition to the huge contributions of Watts and Taylor. Looking at Warrington's listed props as an example they have Sims, Hill, Cooper and Crosby, then Pat Moran who I think is 18. Do all teams carry 5 proven SL props apart from us? I honestly don't know the answer but I'm not sure the level of anxiety it's causing is commensurate with the issue tbh.

Anxiety is a strange thing , some people thought we might not even have a club to follow this season haha, control your own anxieties before slating others . Thought you'd know better mrs b . Hats of for the use of the english dictionary though! "Commensurate" superb , your proper clever

Slating? Or genuinely asking how many squads carry 5 proven SL props? Surprised the subtle difference has eluded you, really


As for financial challenges as you point out on another thread the opening gate lags levels achieved a while ago so work to do. If only we'd signed Benji Marshall and Rangi Chase as you were so relentlessly confident about. Foundations of sand and all that.

lose the first 2 , lose the first one and it will be carnage for some lol, imo think we will win tomorrow COYH

You obvioulsy dont understand the "rumours thread" more fool you if you actually take anything said on there to serious. Just ask the question then, dont go on about peoples anxieties, when youve had plenty of over reactions yourself. But to answer your question, no sl teams dont have 5 proven props, we just need our bench props, fringe players , to step and make a difference when called upon. Anyways , enjoy tomorrow/today, should be a cracking atmosphere, cant wait

Well our Owner Adam Pearson thinks we are a forward short if you read his report and i agree.
I want our bench to have an impact and with one established front row set to be on the bench then we are lightweight given the other places will probably be Thompson,Washy and Turgut.
Therefore to want Connor on the bench at the expense of a forward against a very big pack,heavy pitch and heavy rain expected is ludicrous.
Compare that to last seasons bench of Bowden,Green,Pritchard,and washbrook they did have an impact.
Anyway lets see tomorrow if Albert can produce some magic for us

On the comparison to last year we'd basically have 3 of the same four on the bench with Hadley in for Frank if Bowden and Hadley weren't injured.

Tut, your just being ludicrous Mrs. B. Apart from Pritchard, who presumably was a second row, who else has gone from last years forwards. Feka played a couple? Hardly any contribution. That leaves us now with fringe players ready to cover injuries, which is basically what every other team in Stupid League does. Of course in an ideal world where caps don't exist any team could bring in as many players as they wish. IMO there may still be movement on season long loans and space to deal with but I don't think it's required. As you say, Bowden and Hadley are first choices in the starting 17 and require replacing with squad players. Pearson did say "another FORWARD" but it may be Radfords happy with his props but wanted depth at second row?

I really wish we'd made an effort to sign Sam Moa. Gutted he's playing somewhere else.