Thats the spirit!!!

I'd expect us to continue developing our combinations, to forge a better understanding of each others defensive capabilities, to become more comfortable with the structures employed by the coaches and to display levels of fitness that are approaching those required during the season.

I'd love to see glimpses of quality that offer a window into the future of what we can expect throughout the season. Maybe some of the players will feel sufficiently confident to cut loose and display some of their class as an individual.

I'd like us to be competitive, hard to handle and once or twice be unplayable. Whether we win or lose there'll be much to look for and hopefully a lot of positives to take from the game.

Half back combo ? John & Smith, or will we experiment further ?

Looking at weather forecast for the weekend with a bit off luck it will be postponed save us from all the taking come on the snow .

You really are a joy aren't you.

Thread cleaned up but be warned its getting tiresome and it won't continue.

What team do you think you will be putting out?

Would rather save Rangi and Orr personally for the season and have Daz Clarke and McGoldrick as the halves. Apart from that everyone should play unless they have any little injuries.

Something along the line of this :

Mathers

Fox
Collis
Mellars
Cockayne

John
Smith

Amor
Ellis
James

Lauitiiti
Southern
Kirmond

Aiton
Washbrook
Johnson
Wildie
Mariano
Trout
Wilkes(?)
Walshaw

Not sure how many interchanges we are allowed for a friendly

I think the important thing is to keep running that back line together. They need time with each other more than the forwards. The half backs especially, and need Smith and John given a long run.

We will be weak in front row with Raleigh possibly injured and Wilkes def out. But again, gives the others chance to show.
I expect a big game from Southern as he the only one who missed out in France, assuming he isn't rushing to the maternity ward.

The result is not as important as the performance of course but it is a little psychological lift if we can win as well.

..............abuse?

You are Richard Agar and I claim my £5 !!!!!

Six posts in, incorporating at least 3 prophecies of doom; am I the only one sniffing a troll here?

Nope. Lets see wether this happy chappy 'perks up' soon eh?

Cas fan or he lives on Newmarket Lane!!!

He ought to be trying to get along with his new neighbours then !

think he is living in the real world mate

Not everything is doom and gloom FC!

Your world isn't necessarily the real one.

It seems cas have a prop problem too, although theirs is through injury, no Jackson, Huby or Millington.
Still think we'll struggle, but we might actually have a stronger pack ??

No walker either.

But i think the props will be pretty similar and a good match for each other, if i'm right in thinking wilkes and raleigh are both injured.

impressive young beast of a prop-amor and emmitt

2nd row filling in- snitch and johnson

nl prop trying to make the step up- james and nash

young prop trying to cement a place in the team- trout and massey

Regardless of the respective packs, you'll still be stronger (more organised) in the backs. Hey, I hope i'm wrong but we'll find out on Sunday.

So do we know if Oli Wilkes Is definitely out for this one ?

He's back training but I can't see them playing him so soon.

£12 a ticket, for gold members (if you buy in advance) and should be a decent "friendly".