After Featherstone dumped us out of the Challenge Cup we now focus on the first competitive league fixture of the season. Discuss the game here.

This is the big one for me.

Two weeks to sort our issues out.

The friendlies were all about us getting match practice and Fev was always an extra pre-season for us.

No excuses and no second chances for this game. Sheffield looked decent against York so we have to turn up ready to play.

Some tough selection decisions for Kear to make as well

Any news on Aaron Murphy and Anthony England being ready for this game?

No chance for England or Hallas

Levy and a new prop in for Hallas And Walker

Is Lilley out for this one?

Yes. Back in contention for the Halifax game.

Ben Evans has left Toulouse.Perhaps help is on the way for the Sheffield game?

Kear will know Evans very well from their time together for the Welsh team. Hopefully his brother can have a word as well.

A new prop?

Sam Hallas confirmed out with a broken jaw.

From Kears post match interview it does sound like Evans is on his way.

Yeah. Would be a decent addition. Think Ant Walker needs a couple of months on the 5:2.

Ben Evans thankfully.
U usually like to pretend youre in the know. Dont tell me this has passed u by??

Pretend I’m in the know?

You can read as well

I’m not sure what Sanderson’s qualities are like in terms of defensive organisation but considering he’s played FB before I’d go for this for the Sheffield game:

1. Sanderson
2. Hamlett
3. R. Evans
4. Oakes
5. Wallis
6. Pickersgill
7. Brough
8. Walker
9. Doyle
10. Crossley
11. Gallagher
12. B. England
13. Fleming

14. Flanagan
15. Nzoungou
16. Scurr
17. B. Evans

I’d start Walker because I genuinely think he will be a good prop at this level once he gets fit. Let him have the opening 10-15 mins and empty his tank. Then replace him with either Nzoungou or Fleming (and put Scurr/Evans/Rooks at 13). Then have Walker back for just after halftime or in the last 15-20 mins for impact.

I’d include Wallis because I think Brown isn’t good enough. Nothing against the lad, just don’t think he’s a first team player and DFJ is a little lightweight and we can’t really afford that against Rob Worrincy and Ryan Miller. Wallis also looked good for HKR too.

Rooks gets left out. Until he can work on his defence snd I think Gallagher and England have been much better this pre-season.

Fleming to 13 to sure up the middle with some size since we have lost Hallas’ workrate. Other option would be to have Scurr there and have Nzoungou and Fleming as bench props.

Hopefully we sign Ben Evans and he can hit the ground running after having a full pre-season with Toulouse.

Have I upset you in some way?

What's with the sarccy / grouchy tone lately?

Lockdown blues.

I watched the Sheff v York 1st half and it was a quicker game than Fev v Bulls. I thought Fev were just about competent and we'd need to improve significantly to beat Sheff.

Everyone keeps telling me that outside of Fev, Toulouse, Leigh and York the sides are much of a muchness and we'll finish comfortably in mid table and could get as high as 5th. However I think we're in danger of being complacent.

Not sure they'll be competing with us this season!

Oh yeah

So we’ve Murphy and Evans to fit in, only Hallas is definitely out.
You can’t fault any of the 17 against Fev for effort. Who’s going to cover 13? Evans or Fleming may be able to - or 1 of the second row? Murphy, Gallagher or Rooks?
My own thought would be Evans to 13. Murphy to start, Rooks to the bench. Both B England and Walker to miss out with Levy getting a bench spot.