So we look like we have what we have for the start of 2023.

Johnstone -> Dywer
Ma'u -> Sutcliffe (Griffin moving to backrow)
Connor -> Hoy
Reynolds-> Trueman
Gale -> Clifford

What is your team for the first game, think so far everyone is due to be fit, with Trueman 50/50?

Hoy
Mitch
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Swift
Trueman(Lovodua/Mcnamara)
Clifford
Evans
Hougthon/Lovodua
Fash
Sao
Savelio
Cator

Brown
Satae
Dwyer
Lane

Everyones fit, some big names (and salaries left out) in Taylor, Hoghton, Shaul, Griffin, McInhtosh, Wynne and Scott

Can't decide but think it'll be something like this.

Hoy
Swift, Sutcliffe, Carlos, Mcintosh/Mitch

Trueman, Clifford

Sao, Dwyer, Evans
Savelio, Lane
Fash

Brown, Satae, Lovodua, Taylor/Griffin

If Taylor and Evans have good starts to the season I'd be more tempted to try Sao at SR.

Undecided on Mcintosh/Mitch/Swift too

Hoy
Swift
Sutcliffe
Carlos
Mcintosh
Trueman
Clifford
Sao
Houghton
Fash
Savelio
Lane
Cator

Evans
Satae
Dwyer
Brown/Lovodua/Griffin/ etc.

On paper, it's a solid side, a good balance across the pitch. There is going to be decent players missing out each week when full strength, however we know that doesn't happen often.

SL is getting more competitive, the only two sides I could confidently rule out of top 6 are Leigh and Wakey. with the additions we have made on and off the pitch i think that is a side capable of getting to the play offs

Hoy
Mitch
Wynne
Sutcliffe
Swift
Trueman
Clifford
Satae
Lovodua
Taylor
Sao
Savelio
Fash

Dwyer
Evans
Brown
Griffin

Lane
Shaul
Cator
Etc

Tex
Mitch
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Swift
Trueman
Clifford
Evans
Lovodua
Fash
Sao
Savelio
Cator

Satae
Brown
Lane
Dwyer

Hoy
McIntosh
Carlos
Sutcliffe
Wynne/swift
Trueman
Clifford
Sao
Houghton
Evans
Savelio
Lane
Lovodua

Satae
Dwyer
Cator
Brown/Taylor/fash

McIntosh with a full preseason will be an important player I think

I’d like to see wynne on wing. Got pace to burn and can manage his ‘passion’ better there. Swift is class but he’s not a long term solution

Evans should be better in his second season and should suit Tony smiths style.
.

Lovodua needs to be in 17 for his versatility and looks to have put a bit of size on. I think starting him gives us more balance with Dwyer also on the bench.

Dwyer and Satae off bench give us an impact. Cator coming off the bench also hopefully tidies up their defensive issues.

The last bench spot goes to the prop that stands out in preseasons. Hopefully we’ll get 2017 Taylor if he can stay injury free.

Hoy
MacIntosh
Carlos if fit if not Wynne
Sutcliffe
Swift
Trueman, Macca if not fit
Clifford
Tag
Mint
Evans
Lane
Dre
Sao
Subs
Satae
Brown/Fash
Dwyer
Lover
Just think Ligi will be utilized more at 11/12/13, Dwyer of the bench better plus what I've read Lover will be somewhere in the 17, Tag and Mint will start the season but we have lots of back up if they do not perform although that's targeted more at Tag than Mint.

Sentimentality on Houghton. I think he should be back up only with Lovodua and Dwyer sharing the hooking role. After last season’s effort, Brown and Fash should be playing ahead of Taylor. Griffin if fit should have a bench spot to cover both backs and forwards in the event of injury.

Satae should start IMO. Did more minutes last year. Was wondering whether Radford style rotation of Watts in 3 stints might be in order.

Hoy
Swift
Sutcliffe
Carlos
Macintosh/Vulikijapani
Trueman (Mcnamara until fit)
Clifford
Evans
Lovodua
Sao
Lane
Savelio
Cator

Satae
Dwyer
Griffin
Taylor/Brown/Fash

Art least we have a coach who knows how to rotate players

Yes and lets hope we have more luck with regards player fitness to enablke him to do this.

Fingers crossed espescially for Swift, Savelio, Carlos and Cator who are big players for us but all had such bad luck last season.

Still think Smith will see Taylor and Houghton in his first choice XVII.

Houghton as starting hooker ffs?

Get Dwyer in from day one - he should be our number 9

Yep pretty much how I’d like to see it, though likely Lane will be in 2nd row with Sao on bench. I’d go with McNamare in the halves if Trueman isn’t fit for the start.
Even with the limited changes made during the off season there’s still a few options that can be taken in terms of 17 which can only be good.

But cator hasn't been fit since 2020

How long do you keep praying hoping he stays fit?

Can't keep players on sentiment

And talking of Houghton ( especially ) and taylor they need gone sentiment is 100% why they are still here



Next season will prove how much we've missed a attacking hooker In dwyer

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Sincerely hope not

Very harsh on Cator. The kid has had horrendous luck to not only rupture his achilles once but to do it twice you have to feel for him.
Hopefully his bad luck is behind him and he can have an injury free run because there's no doubting we are better side with him in it.

I've started Dwyer in my team, but his distribution can be very hit and miss. Its why Leeds ended up using O'connor.

I'm sure he'll win us some games with his running threat, as well as frustrate us when he darts off like a headless chicken

He has been unlucky

But becomes a point if it carries on the club can't carry him forever

Cause point is he hasn't played for 2 years

You trying to say Houghtons distribution is good .....

You've got a coach that preferred to play an unfit bang average Greg Richards rather than debut Zac Fishwick.

He may not be the squad rotator you believe he is.

Depends how Smith wants to use Lovodua, but sayhe uses him as a SR/LF, could we see Balmforth/Dwyer share 9 to start the season

doubt it
As ComeOnYouUll said its more than likely we will see the old guard Houghton as the starting nine and Taylor in the front row
Dwyer will then be coming off the bench.
Not what we want to see but its the way i also think Smith will go.
Balmforth likely to go out on loan