McDonnell is back so i hope that goes someway to making sure Donaldson doesnt start there as that starting front row brings me out in hives, for a variety of reasons.

RS is quite loyal to Donaldson and Bentley and for me, when we have injuries, selection becomes really key. Wet conditions will mean some graft down the middle so I’d pick as physically big a pack as we reasonably can. We have enough in the backs to win games as long as the forwards give a platform.

Most peoples worst fears appearing after 1 round, Fusitua injured already and Struggling for props.....For all the decent recruitment decisions made in preseason, we didnt half make some stupid ones aswel.

Really cant understand the clubs infatuation with small forwards that offer nothing with the ball

21 man Squad announced -

Miller
Newman
Momorovski
Handley
Croft
Frawley
Ackers
Bentley
Martin
Smith
O'Connor
Lisone
McDonnell
Sangare
Goudemand
Rouan
Roberts
Donaldson
Johnson
Edgell
Nicholas-Watton

Hudson not played 1single Super League game yet, i would not even consider him for anything yet. Needs plenty reserve/loan games first. Ruane, Nicholson- Watton are next in pecking order

If TNW is fit to play then I`d play him instead of Donaldson otherwise wait until he`s fit.
Ruan to replace Oledzki.
Bentley to keep his place.

Pretty much what some of us were worried about a few months ago.

Being a prop light then getting injuries which force us into light middles and then Fusi and/or Newman being out for a spell and forcing us to use Roberts/ Olpherts or messing with Martin at centre again.

Hopefully Oledski and Holroyd back soon and equally, hope TNW gets a shot over Donaldson at prop.

donaldson and Bentley should never have got another deal. the money should gave gone on a prop

Agree Tad. I believe we were linked with Okoro from Bradford but he’s another project really.

RS already has a very sticky selection for round 2 here. I suspect if he chose Donno at prop for Salford, why would he change for KR when we’ve also lost Mik?

Maybe we just need to start with Lisone and Sangare for this and try to pummel HR early, then TNW and Ruan once the games becomes more attritional. Our back row should be Goudemand and Martin, McDonnell bench but can see Goudemand being pushed up front.

The reason (there are many) for not starting with Donaldson at prop this week is that at least last week we had our pack leader to compensate, this week we don't.

I can see it now, Goudemand and Donaldson starting in the front row, more middles than you could shake a stick at.

Gannon is out for 3 months or more so we do actually need SR options now.

Sounding all too familiar this, Holroyd announcement next up...

What is it with this team?!

Yep, we are a very injury prone club.
Re-signing Fusitua was just ridiculous. We've got exactly what we all expected with him already.
Now up against it from round 2.
And no doubt we will feel the wrath of the disciplinary panel when the likes of Newman and Bentley lose their heads when we're struggling.
Sound familiar already?
Over to you RS, let's see what you can do.

Definitely a sticky wicket this week. I'd start Goudemand and Lisone at prop and go with Sangare and TNW as the rotation. I'd go with McDonnell and O'Connor as the others on the bench. Think Rohan needs to let go of Donno as a comfort blanket and let youth be served. Cam Smith will also need to play far more direct and let the halves call the shots.

Personally would go with the following pack.
Lisone
Ackers
Goudemond
Bentley
Martin
Smith

OConnor
Sangare
Mcdonnell
Ruan/TNW

Rationale is it gives us more size to spread the loss of Mik.I suspect he will go with Donaldson though and TNW and Ruan miss out. The only actual call should be Donno or Goudemond. Being really brave would be picking only one out of the above and Bentley and selecting both Ruan and TNW that won't happen.

We've got 3 squad numbers missing from 1-18

I'd say that's probably similar to every SL squad at the moment.

We're hardly in dire straits territory especially Mik and Holroyd are back for the catalans game

Completely agree and missing players should be replaced like for like which means TNW should definitely be in the 17. For context wikipedia gives Donno weight as 13st 12pds. Thats 2 pounds heavier than Brodie Croft!
Its not his fault but hes not a prop and is actually a small back row.

I don’t think Donno should be in the 17 for this one.

Id go

Miller
Roberts
Newman
Mom
Handley
Croft
Frawley
Goudemand
Ackers
TNW
Bentley
Martin
Smith

Oconner
Lisone
Sangare
McDonell

Maybe not dire straits but the frustration around the ridiculous fusitua situation and both starting front rows out highlights the concerns that were there from the off. Are you sure theyll both be back in next week?

As mentioned above no square pegs, get 4 actual prop sized props in there to do the job and step up to the gaps that are missing.

I meant to put an ‘if’ in there.

Having both starting front rows out is unfortunate, but as I say take the starting front rowers out from any team and they would be into the same territory as us, we just don’t seem to get any luck with injuries do we.

Tend to agree about Donno though there's a cynical part of me thinks that the number of head shots he attracts could actually give us an advantage in the current, card-happy climate.

We don't, though for me as I've mentioned we ran a big risk having Holroyd as number 2, we need someone in that position who has a playing record worthy of it.

Think I’d start Goudemand at prop, complete toss up for me who the other would be , but not Donaldson.

None of those available are starting props
From last year we lost Walters and Tetevano but only brought in the small grafter, Goudemand as the squad was repositioned but we look very small upfront. hKR not the biggest either so we may be able to workaround it this week.

Different matter v Catalan, I’m
Hoping Sims may get suspended this week.

Maybe Miks got a niggle so saving him for the bigger cats pack?

Holroyd is training so hopefully available soon