What will our strongest line up be at the start of 2019 baring in mind that Burgess won’t be fit until March / April at the earliest? I’m not aware of any other injuries in the squad



I think it’s tough to decide but good to have the options.



Hardaker

Manfredi

Hankinson or Sarginson

Gildart

Davies or Marshall

Williams

Sammut

Flower

Leuluai

Clubb

Farrell

Greenwood

O’Loughlin



Hamlin or Navarette

Tautai or Bullock

Powell or Escare

Isa



I’m sure there’ll be a few different opinions on our strongest 17.

given the doom amd gloom around. thats not a bad 1st 13. if we get a couple of bolters from the new crop, then I think we'll still be there abouts at the end of the year.

the danger is if we get injuries and the kids arent ready, because the depth isnt there anymore.

Hardaker

Manfredi

Gildart

Sarginson

Davies

Williams

Sammut

Clubb

Leuluai

Flower

Greenwood

Farrell

O’loughlin



Hamlin

Navarette

Escare

Isa

Hardaker

Manfredi

Gildart

Sarginson

Davies

Williams

Leuluai

Flower

Powell

Navarette

Greenwood

Farrell

O'Loughlin



Clubb

Bullock

Isa

Escare



Wouldn't surprise me to see any of Sammut, Hankinson, Hamlin, Marshall or Tautai in the 17 for the first game - all depends on the impression they make on the new coach of course.

As I posted on the Sammut topic.



Team One



Hardaker

Manfredi

Gildart

Sarginson

Davies

Williams

Leuluai

Clubb

Powell

Flower

Farrell

Greenwood

O'Loughlin





Team two



Escare

Marshall

Hankinson

Forsythe

Burgess

Shorrocks

Sammut

Navarrette

Ganson

Tautai

Wells

Isa

Hamlin



To fit in somewhere



Bullock

Partington

Kibula

Byrne

Mullen

Paisley

Barnes

Field etc



That squad doesn't look too bad to me. I don't see any other team with that depth.

17 players in a team not 13.



Anybody can brag about squad depth if they dont care about the quality or experience of the replacements.

Is Burgess out for a spell still? I was under the impression he was back in business and looks to have been training as normal from the pre season photos.



I’d love to try one or two things in pre season, such as Manfredi at centre and run outs for the likes of Wells and Kibula but as things stand if you ask for the side I’d name if we had a game next week I’d go-



Hardaker

Manfredi Gildart Sarginson Burgess

Williams Sammut

Flower Leuluai Navarette

Greenwood Farrell Lockers



Clubb Hamlin Isa Escare

Yea I spoke to Joe Burgess on Monday and he hadn’t started running yet. He said he hopes to start running this week and expects to be back in March or April.

Who spells Leuluai at 9? Or are you anticipating him playing there for 80?

Didn’t realise. Thought I’d seen him running somewhere (probably an old photo).



Good job we’re not short.

I still think Burgess is the best bet if we're looking to transition one of the wingers to centre.

I’d anticipate him playing 80, we know he can and would it’s just wether Lammy wants him to, if not then you’ll probably see Powell come in for Escare

Zak

Davies

Sarge / Hank

Gilly

Dom

Williams

Tommy

Navarette

Powell

Flower

Faz

Greenwood

Lockers



Sammut

Clubby

Bullock / Tautai

ISA

Most likely of the sides from what i have read.

Hardaker

Manfredi Gilly Sarg Burgess

Williams Tommy

Nav Powell Flower

Greenwood Farrell

Lockers

------------------

Escare on the bench with 2 props and SR/13.

Budgy wont be available until round 4 or 5. Possibly fit 1st or 2nd week in March so think Davies and Manfredi will start the year

April

I do not have a problem with the skill levels of our centres. My concern is that without Bateman we will struggle against some of the opposition big lads wide out. That worries me less than the ability of some of our receivers to open up the middle.

Apparently Sarge has been the stand out player in pre season so far.



Sarge and Gildart will be our starting .



Dom and Davies on the wings.



The big question is who will start at Full back, Morgan or Zak.

Big fan of Morgan, but if he anywhere near match fitness then Zak would have to start.... And i don't say that with any joy, but he is the better player..

Agreed, Escare needs to do what he can to secure a regular bench spot, but I can see that being an uphill battle.

i am confident that Greenwood will be fine there or Faz dependant on who plays on which side.

Greenwood is one of the biggest back rows around, what surprised me the most was how fit he was, he was very good defensively. I wouldn't worry about Farrell or Isa being on the other side of the pitch not the biggest but both are reliable.

Convert Hankinson, He is a big unit