"You always see what you want to see, you always believe what you want to believe" as The Tygers of Pan Tang rightly observed.

Good avatar stan

10,431 at Headingley today.

£18 is too much for a friendly that will likely be 2 mismatched halves with both sides using 20+ players. Add to that if we both finish in the same pool come year end then it'll be another 4 (possibly 5 if the cup draw happens) derbies I just don't see the point.

I agree with your sentiments. The point is simply an attempt by both clubs to gain extra ££££, nothing more and nothing less. It's misguided in my view.

Batley - Dewsbury drew 2k which I'd imagine will comfortably top any crowd drawn by either during the regular season.

While I don't agree with the number of derby games it is still an opportunity to see our team play so I aren't gonna complain too much. For me it doesn't matter who we are playing, its still a home game to go to.

However I cant help thinking that we could be off to 7 derbys next year: Friendly, 3 regular season games, could meet them in challenge cup, maybe the super 8 as well and that might mean the grand final also... Everyone up for that?? Haha

Anyone know who is the actual holder of the trophy from the last time it was formally played for?

Yes, it's currently held by a club called Hull Sharks!!

That's untrue. Was played for in 2007, definitely.

Well if the anticipation and interest into the friendly derby on Sunday is registered by the amount of posts and threads on the subject on the KR/FC forums then your team are sure fire winners. This thread alone has been going nearly a month whereas your R&W neighbours have yet to even comment on the match to date. A sure fire indication I assume your supporters are really up for the match. I presume that with all your first teamers having already seen action at the weekend and the KR side yet to have played a competitive game together and obviously needing time to gel that fc fans must be confident of a big win.

If you do support FC (

), you'll know that in recent years we have lost the ability to do that

Nah as all the wuvvers supporters keep telling us you have the best coach the fastest backs the best pack and the best Aussies ever. Should be a cakewalk for the Dobbins

Radford says he will pick a fairly small squad (21 is the number the HDM have picked). Rankin, Whiting and Michaels won't play, but everyone else should be available. With that in mind how would everyone line up? Which fringe players deserve another chance to impress?

Shaul
Lineham
Sa
Yeaman
Talanoa
Pryce
Sneyd
Paea
Houghton
Green
Ellis
Minichiello
Westerman

Feka
Bowden
Watts
BTW
Thompson
Naughton
Hadley
Abdull
Cunningham

That's 22. But if Lineham's ankle is still a little sore I would not take any chances and put Lancaster there.

I don't know a single Rovers (note the spelling, it's not a complicated word, a bit of practice and you might get it) fan who thinks we have the best coach. In fact many think we have an untried rookie (which is the truth).

Nah wuvvers supporters think you will wipe the floor against us this year. Fed up of hearing it to be honest. Big balloon over caravan park waiting to pop.

I'd go with

Shaul
Naughton
Sa
Yeaman
Talanoa
Pryce
Sneyd
Green
Cunningham
Wattts
Thomspson
Hadley
Westerman

Mini
BTW
Turget
Howarth
Bowden
Lancaster
HTW
Abdul

Give players who are fighting for the bench spots a chance to impress, we know what the likes of Paea, Ellis, Feka and houghton can do, wouldn't risk Lineham at all.

Repeating the same bull doesn't make it true or indeed more entertaining. It just makes you look twice as daft.

brilliant post.

If you don't like it Stan don't read it. Crikey some are soooo grumpy on here. . anyway back on subject will give both teams a good idea where we are looking forward to up COYH

Whoops meant to say where we are at the moment. Sloppy spelling sorry Stan

Try saying that after 10 pints!

I couldn't say it after 2 lol

Is it true that Rovers were meant to be bringing the trophy but have "mislaid" it? Got to love derby week

Abdull, Bowden, Cunningham, Ellis, Green, Hadley, Houghton, Howarth, Lineham, Logan, Minichiello, Naughton, Paea, Paleaaesina, Pryce, Sa, Shaul, Sneyd, Talanoa, Thompson, Watts, Westerman, Yeaman

Just missing Michaels, Rankin and Whiting, I think.