With a week to go thought we should be having a thread for the build up?
Who will Sheens pick? Positions 1 to 5 look tricky to call? Think the pack just about picks itself. Hilariously Connor could be banned? Been laughing all day on hearing that.Appeal put in but would be surprised if succeeds as they are cracking down on abuse of refs. In a way I'd rather he and Kelly played tbh as if we do win you can see how they'll spin it. Should be an interesting build up next week and the joint press thing on Monday should be good. Anyone off here been invited?

I was thinking the same to be honest....I would rather them both play. Cant see connor getting off though for foul and abusive language. Think his gob is gonna get in a few scrapes this season

Will have to see what happens if they do appeal it? If Harris ends up playing then we need to put everything his way,shocking defensively. Still think Belly and Snide will play

Think our own 6/7 will still win the battle. Snide is only good a Kicking, and Albert.....Our forwards to smash him

If his ban is upheld then we need to take it on board.The refs seem to keenly police certain things and if backchat is one then fair enough.Need to play good hard rugby but not give ref opportunity to go for his pocket. Fairamo's red last year was questionable but they were giving reds for any contact with head .We dont want any cards for us and letting them off a beating.

If and I hope it does not snow will they move it to hulls ground for the tv or what

Don't think it would be possible? I don't think it will snow, forecast is 5c but il take it more seriously Wednesday evening as tend to be pretty accurate within 2 day or so? Here is the team I would pick fwiw


Dagger
Hall
VaiVai
Keinhorst
Shaw
Drinkwater
McGuire
Garbutt
Lee
Mulhern
Tomkins
Linnett
Hauraki

Masoe
Lannon
Addy
Atkin

Leaving Greenwood lawler and Crooks very unlucky not to be in. Crooks could go in ahead of Shaw but Shaw did the business for us and its his to lose imo.The Geenwood/Lannon pick is very tight but Lannon shone so far and Greenwood can be prone to 1 good game 1 lazy game? No one will be able to get away with crap stats this year?

The other option is Greeenwood on bench instead of Atkin Leaving Addy to cover the hooking and backs but seems crazy to leave Atkin out. Think Sheens will play Atkin at FB at Daggers expense but Dagger for me has been excellent? Lawler could also swap for Lee? The more I think in it the more I change my mind. Nice problem for Sheens

spin it out we hammered you with only 12 men last year, gave you 20 point lead with only 10mins to go and you still could,nt hold on to that so why would we panic with half a dozen players missing dream on losers

dont be a spoil sport richard wed love to keep your record breaking run going

This ones new. It might keep us entertained for the season at least.

Did you actually read the post? Lovely Chomp though.

With only six missing I can see why you are confident. You should definitely end your losing streak. Having said that, did we not beat you at KC last time out with two new players one of whom had only met the coach to be given his jersey! Please don’t go on about your injuries on that occasion as an examination of both squads would show similar problems.

Longer than what your team will

Anyone else care to post who they would pick from squad? Not sure how FC will line up. Quite enjoy the build up of Derby week and the Connor appeal is an interesting factor.Fail and maybe cop extra game ban or succeed and big boost if he Kelly and Snide play?

Think the squad you posted is pretty near enough how it will go to be fair.
Cant see the Rat getting off with the RFL really clamping down on Gobs back chatting never mind swearing at them.
Even if he does play with kelly and snyde, still think we have enough in the bag for the win.
Gonna be a Cracking game though!

seems you are all confident and why not, connor got to learn to keep his mouth shut taking to refs, no problem with him winding players up but refs nope, my only gripe is I hope the refs keep it up and do it across the board, never know what the team gonna be till its announced, can see us with shaul farimo tuime griffin miloudi/dawson, harris sneyd, taylor Houghton paea, manu mini Hadley, bench masi Thompson lane litten, can see it being closer than you think but not all that confident if am honest,

Agreed. Dont think it will be a run away score for either team. You guy's wont want carry on the losing streak and we will want to make sure you do! All set up for a cracking game.

That's the thing with the Derby when one side looks most likely to win it can go wrong.The 6-42 game I was certain of us losing and the Radford coming out of retirement I was sure we would win.Even the magic game with Yeaman and kids in the backs we somehow lost when on paper we should/could have won. For me Hull have 5 real class players in Taylor Houghton Kelly Snide and Connor Shaul is fast but not convinced he's on their level Manu and Chello have been also class players but look bit weary and maybe gone a year past best? The rest are a mix of potential and never will be's imo. Would say Tuimavave and Berrito are somewhere between and solidish types. Hull may indeed win this game but I would be very disappointed if we didnt finish above them in the league.

Fair points but I can see you winning this game but us finishing above you, all depends when our players are back, if fit westy green and Bowden are big players for us, throw in Kelly and connor and am sure we will do ok, this season is gonna be a close one that's for sure, cert wont run over you this fri

fc are 1/2 and kr 13/8 with most bookies to win the game , dont think injuries will be a factor 4 or 5 starters missing from both sides with it being the first game and maybe awkward weather conditions you could toss the coin ,

You are one of the more upbeat FC fans and you may end up being proved right? Who knows? Most ones I know are fearing a long poor season but hoping to be proved wrong. Rovers wise maybe we are getting ahead of ourselves before a balls been played in anger.

Think most fans are upbeat pre season you gotta be lol, but you never know till it gets under way, hope its a good game no injuries for either team and let battle commence,

The only outcome im confident about is that it wont be a draw


In all fairness it could go either way, not having Lunt and Quinlan is a big blow but obviously Hull have there own big players missing too, should be a cracking atmosphere and im ready for the seasons start now. As for league finishes i think Hull will probably finish above us but not by much.

That's not an unfair summary. I rate Westerman highly and would include him in your "class" list, but he won't play in this one anyway.

I would be very surprised if Connor gets let off and whilst I hope I am wrong I am not expecting Kelly to play either. If I was to have a stab at the team I reckon it will be this:

Shaul
Faraimo
Griffin
Tuimavave
Dawson-Jones (don't rate him fwiw but I think that's how Radford will go)
Washbrook (I would go with Miloudi but again I think Radford will take the safe option)
Sneyd
Taylor
Houghton
Paea
Hadley
Minichiello
Manu

Matongo
Lane
Nzoungou
Fash

I would also find a place for Litten on the bench but think Radford will go for 4 (relatively) big men on the bench.

Edit: Keep forgetting about Jordan Thompson. He will probably be in instead of Levy or Fash.