More importantly will Rovers have a team out that shows their intent? Or will it be second string again?

If stories in the press are to be believed then this will be the game that JM will field his strongest possible side and only make interchanges when required instead of just rolling as it has been in the previous games.

More importantly why should Hull fans be bothered?

Interested to see how Bradford go

Joking apart, I actually believe Bradford will be well in the mix this season, a top 5 finish would not surprise me. They started to gel towards the back end of last season, they have recruited well, Orford is class, and Mc Namarra is in the last chance saloon. I think it will be a tough friendly this one.

Undoubtedly our toughest to date

Fraid not.
Drop ins at best.

They have - but Danny Sculthorpe is no Sam Burgess.

It will be but hopefully we will see something like the starting line up for 2010, for the first time this pre season.

Full strength although I do doubt that we will have the full side out for the whole of the 80 minute duration.

Remember that the gate is a shared gate on Thursday due to the Stanley Gene transfer from 2006, so we as a club will be getting half.

Looking forward to this game now, now that Matt Orford definitely making his debut and at £12 for a adult.

Referee: Richard Silverwood

The last time he took charge of this fixture, all hell was let loose as he gave a Super League record 34 penalties (21 of which went to Hull KR).

We lost 20-18 that day.

No squad news as of yet, but I'll post it as soon as it's in the public domain.

Bradford by 24

Sadly matches do seem to turn into the Richard Silverwood Show.

I just hope that he doesn't turn the game on Thursday into a farce mate, he has developed the knack of blowing 20/30+ penalties in a game which is far too much whistle.

I remember a game at the Shay about ten years ago when Colin Morris was the referee and he gave no penalties all game.

Amazing in todays game.

not sure myself, they've lost a lot of good players and only gained a couple and I don't think McNamara has it, think the wolves will be out for him early this year.

Halifax vs Hull FC .... I think it was the game when Prekkie kicked a last minute drop goal from the middle of Batley.

Hmm. [i Lost "a lot of good players"[/i? Bit of curate's egg more like IMO, I'd say, although for sure there are several we could have done with keeping in an ideal world. Anyway, my quick take:

Lost:

Deacon - derided (unfairly IMO) by most oppo fans; never same since that bad injury in the Tri-Nations though and far too predictable

Newton - won't be missed after a mediocre year, and rumours of trouble behind the scenes. Our late surge coincided with his being injured.

Morrison - one we will defo miss - if stays free from injury and not sat in the stand half the season.

Solomona - sat in stand most of last year; looked like could not be d.

Jeffries - never really shone. When we signed him, the Wakey fans rightly told us he has a few good games and rather more nothing ones (although now he is back with them he's God's gift again, funnily enough...)

James - sadly, no real loss

Tadulala - another we will miss, since we are light on the wings if we keep playing Sheriffe.

Cook - would have preferred to keep him, and think you have a good capture there. He always seemed to think he was worth more (in game time and money, I believe) than the coach did. Time will tell, but good luck to him.

Burgess - a performing Burgess would be missed by any club. Sam did not really perform to his potential for us for much of last season though, so we'll miss him less than we should. OK, two more very promising Burgesses coming through, even bigger than he is, but a way to go yet.

[i"Only gained a couple"[/i? Guess we'll know the truth of that better in a few weeks, but:

Gained

Orford - not seen anyone suggesting we'd have been better keeping Deacon? Rep speaks for itself, although late arrival means will likely be a few weeks before we see him on true form though so make the most of now!

Kearney - played 7 against Leeds, and ran the show. It was like watching a different team - he was excellent. I think he will shock a few at 6 this season.

LeStrange - what a refreshing change from Newton - just like Henderson was a bit back. Another to shine at Leeds, and another I think will shock a few when he gets into his stride. In fact, with Orford Kearney and LeStrange at 7,6 & 9, I think you won't recognise the Bulls this year. And (from our point of view) for all the right reasons.

Reardon - I was chuffed at this signing, and early signs justify that. I think he will surprise his doubters this season, and will play out of his skin, and may well prove to be our most astute signing.

Sculthorpe - well we'll just have to see. He'll either be a revelation...
or pants! Definite wildcard for mine!

Hall - one hard guy, will take some stopping - early outings very promising.


Developers:

Watch out for Donaldson, Whitehead and Olbison to name but three. Potential for some future internationals in there. Might just see Crookes (injured most of last season) and Kopczak rise to the challenge too this year, and if Scruton carries on as he left off end of last season we'll cope without Sam.

Whatever happens on Thursday, I really do think that those who dismiss the Bulls as not having improved compared to last year may be being a tad premature. But feel free to write that down someplace, to throw back at me if (and heaven forbid) we have any kind of repeat of last season...

I think thats a fair summing up. Press predictions and predictions on here I think can't have seen much of our new signings, because the spine of our team 6,7 & 9 has improved massively and I think All of our new Aussies & Reardon will surprise a few people, I agree though Sculthorpe is one we'll have to wait and see

Yes that was the game mate, it was 27-26 at full time and a good game to boot.

You're closer to it than I am so probably have a better in sight, I just think it will take a while to gel the team and I wonder if mc is the man to do it. I just see Bradford in a transition year and develop more in 2011

You are probably not wrong with that bit, to be honest. We've a few more OOC end 2010, and with the new guys signed up for a bit and the talent emerging from the academy (and a signing or two for 2011 in the threequarters...

) I think 2011 has the potential to be the best year for a while for us.

Have seen Donaldson and Whitehead a few times playing in the junior grades and they looked top quality. Losing a player of Sam Burgess' ability would be a blow to any side in the world but given time i reckon these 2 may more than compensate for his loss.

A whole host of variables at Bradford, I agree they've recruited really well in pivotal positions where for the last few years they've looked a bit devoid of ideas.
The big questions for me are;
Is McNamara the man to take them forward, has he got the vision and strenght of character to take the team into a new era? Personally, despite the obvious terrible slur on his character i'd like to see him succeed, always seems a decent bloke.
How quick will the new players settle and how quick will the squad gel into a team? Again, most of this weight will fall on the back room staff's shoulders.
Centre would be a worry for me, Nero doesn't seem to hit the heights he used to at Huddersfield and Sykes looks utter gash most of the time, I've admittedly not seen much of Crookes.
Lastly, possibly most worrying of all is Nick Scruton's picture on The Bulls website, hello sailor?!?

You can park in the stadium for around £5 , or if you turn in towards the ground you will see the main gates to the stadium and carpark on your left , if you continue on 50 mts down on the right is a Sports club and Bar ( soccer sensations).. they charge £3 and a little easier to get out i guess

Think thats a fair comment tbh, but I am hoping -although I do reckon we'll be better in 2011- that well do well this season as L'Estrange and Orford already know each others plays well etc. and Kearney has already been linking up with L'Estrange well.