I think Rodwell is the playerPowell has wanted from the start. Of our 80 minute forwards, Pitts and Ashurst have limited games left in them. I’m not sure about Cozza, Bain maybe, ditto Boothroyd.

Imo we deffo need an extra engine in the middle, a Kirmo style player. Think this guy will rip up the Chamionshp and will make the step up to SL.

Rodwell appears to have an engine on him. You have to find the balance between having forwards with an engine and having forwards with size and the ability to punch holes in lines and offload. Time will tell if we got it right for this season.

I do think the signing of Rodwell is due to the new rules next season. No tackling above chest means that larger less mobile forwards will hugely struggle next season imo.

He’s 6-1 and 102kg, so the same size roughly as Luke Thompson. Looking forward to his energy alongside Atoni, Vagana and Uele, That’s a formidable pack that will hopefully lay the foundations for Gale and Lino to work off.

I reckon he play at 13.

Hard to say really. Probably can play both.

I think I prefer Cozza at 13.

Our props have all played pretty well so if one had to make way then possibly Bowden but he’s been good too. Luke Bain also is a loose or prop and he’s ready to go now too so we may see some rotation in the forwards at prop/loose.

I'd initially play him off the bench on Friday, and hold Bain back until the following week. I would imagine that pitch probably still rather heavy, and maybe a bit bobbly, and might not be wise to bring a player back in from such an injury like that on that pitch.

No way. Bowden and Atoni are the star props. Even with Vagana the momentum drops when they go off.
I'd put him either as Vagana's partner off the bench or at 13 as he has a bigger engine.
Though to be honest Pitts has been great there.

Nice to have the problem.

That would mean Uele to miss out and he’s been very good with a few of our try’s coming off the back of his runs. He has a big engine too. Really hard selection choices for Powell but it’s good to have that luxury.

Truth be told I’d be happy to see any of them line up and whoever gets rotated would probably be unlucky.

Although I agree with you, Vagana came over late and missed all the hard yards done in pre-season. I think he arrived towards the end of January, before the York game, so he's missed about 3 months, this period we've seen him play will be like his pre-season and will be getting up to speed, both individually and with how the team want him to play. Saying all that, from what I've seen from him, he's quick on his feet, and makes great post-contact meters. He's very hard to get down and be dominated in the tackle and more often than not he's not brought down and manages to get a quick play of the ball off the back of that.

Personally, I think out of all the guys we've brought in, there's none that I'm disappointed with, taking into account we've not seen Bain yet. For me, Vagana's ceiling is higher than who we've currently got in the pack, although Uele has had some good games and looks like someone who would do a good job at SL level. Some won't agree, and some will hopefully about my opinion on Vagana. When he's come on at prop, he and Atoni have been the big tackle-busters and you can see the side physically get a lift from their big carries. Look how long it's taken Atoni to hit his stride though and now he seems to be thriving, he isn't the first Aussie to struggle when they first arrive and then find their form. I know people will say that's due to the level we're playing at but to me, he looks so much lighter on his feet, seems to have a bit of a step now that he didn't have before and is generally fitter, plus confidence seems to be oozing from him atm.

Cozza would be the one to make way for me.

Plenty of games in front of us this season to find our our best combo’s up front before the cull begins , hopefully brings out the best in the players looking to cement those starting spots . We’ll all have our favourites as the season goes on, but there will be no room for sentiment when they get whittled down and moved on ,it’s simply business and players understand that .Who is going to take over from Gale when he hangs up his boots is the bigger question for me ,Lawford isn’t ready yet imo, and a real quality half is vitally important if we are to be competitive when we return to super league.

Agreed.

He’s a “middle” rather than a prop or loose.

He will I think mainly feature at 13 but spell at both.

Saw him over the weekend he’s not massive but a big lad and looks athletic.

For me and from what I’ve seen of him he plays the game very much like Luke Yates at Huddersfield.

Look forward to seeing how he gets on.

May not be popular and nothing against the guy but for me if every one is fit bain or cozza at 13 pitts to sr and ashurst to miss out,the guy been a great servent to the club but his time is sadly passing

I see it too, and it happens to every player, and I sort of see it as a changing of the guard somewhat this year year at second row and loose forward

Think Pitts is a right second row so likely Griffin could move to the left but personally I’d keep Ashurst in but just look to sub him In second half to change the team dynamics if needed.

Ashurst is the captain and will play pending a spell of poor form. So far he’s been solid consistently.

I was thinking more later on in the year to be honest TH

I meant from the props/middles that Cozza would be the one to miss out. But I agree with you about the second row. This is how I'd line the pack up:

Bowden
Hood
Atoni
Pitts
Griffin
Rodwell

Doyle
Uele
Vagana
Bain

Well, Rain & more Rain, we are not a bad weather team & certainly have never been a team to SLUG it Out. Time will tell but I do hope we can do this & Win of course !

Checked last night and it said 0% chance rain all tomorrow.

Few hours ago it said only light rain between 3-4pm.

Changed again now to rain between 12-2 and then 4-6pm.

Probably change again an hour before kick off. Amazing how 20 years ago weather forecast on news was far more accurate up to a few days ahead but these automated forecasts usually end up wrong and changing sometimes up to an hour before.

Hopefully wont be as much as a mud bath.

It absolutely wasn't accurate 20 years ago.

The only true way to forecast weather is time and location related…

that is:

send the dog out into the garden … if it comes back wet… dry… covered in snow… or shivering… you can ascertain the weather!

Good luck for tomorrow Trin… I will be up early to find a radio coverage to listen to!!!

"Somebody said there is going to be a hurricane, I can assure you, there isn't going to be one"

I remember that one, wasn't it Michael Fish

That's exactly what I was thinking.

Edited for accuracy

Well, perhaps more accurate than these days which isn’t hard.