RADFORD ANNOUNCES 19-MAN SQUAD FOR SEASON OPENER

Hull FC head coach Lee Radford has named his preliminary squad ahead of the Black and Whites’ opening Super League encounter with Huddersfield Giants at the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday.

As expected travelling supporters will be treated to their first competitive glimpse of new half back combination Marc Sneyd and Leon Pryce, whilst Mark Minichiello is the only other new signing to make the squad.

The Italian international will join captain Gareth Ellis, Hull-born Dean Hadley and the versatile Jordan Thompson as Lee Radford’s back row choices.

The Black and Whites boss has also left himself plenty of options for the prop forward positions, with Liam Watts, Josh Bowden, Chris Green, Mickey Paea and Feka Paleaaesina all receiving his approval, whilst England international Joe Westerman completes the pack from loose forward.

Last season’s Player of the Year Fetuli Talanoa also makes the 19-man squad, with Tom Lineham similarly holding down his place in the side on the wing.

Richard Whiting has completed his rehabilitation on an arm injury that has plagued his pre-season programme to take up his place in the side, whilst fellow Airlie Birds veteran Kirk Yeaman also makes the cut.

Setaimata Sa will hope to carry his impressive pre-season form into the start of the new campaign and makes the preliminary side, whilst young gun Jamie Shaul has fought off fierce competition during the off-season to retain his full back spot.

New signing Steve Michaels will have to wait a little longer for his Super League debut, despite gaining precious game time for Doncaster RL last weekend having made significant progress since undergoing knee surgery prior to Christmas.

Whilst the Australian’s fellow countryman Jordan Rankin will also be disappointed to have missed out on the clash in West Yorkshire, as he continues his recovery from a shoulder knock picked up in the trial game with York City Knights last month.

Hull FC 19-man squad: Bowden, Ellis, Green, Hadley, Houghton, Lineham, Minichiello, Paea, Paleaaesina, Pryce, Sa, Shaul, Sneyd, Talanoa, Thompson, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman

Shaul
Talanoa
Yeaman
Sa
Lineham

Pryce
Sneyd

Watts
Houghton
Paea
Ellis
Minichello
Westerman

subs:
Bowden
Paleaaesina
Thompson
Whiting

think id go with that...

First 13 picks itself.

Feka
Green
Bowden
Thompson

On the bench for me.

Can't see anything other than -

Shaul
Lineham
Sa
Yeaman
Talanoa
Pryce
Sneyd
Paea
Houghton
Watts
Minichiello
Ellis
Westy

Bowden
Feka
Thompson
Hadley/Whiting

Think he may go with Hadley over Whiting as he can (don't necessarily agree with LR here) play Hooker for a short spell.

That would be 1-13 starting - when's the last time we could say or do that?

pass!
would you have changed anything id micheals or rankin were fit though?

Same but hadley at hooker would be last resort. Think danny will do the 80

Also think this will be our team for Sunday.Would have gone for Rankin in place of Hadley if he had been fit.

probably Whiting,Michaels,Green and Naughton may play for Doncaster this weekend

13 picks itself as others have said, personally Id go for

Bowden
Feka
Thompson
Whiting

Having Houghton do the full 80 mins is a bit of a gamble IMO.

I'd rather have Whiting at hooker than Hadley if we needed cover there.

Radford will move Westerman to 6, Pryce to 7, Snyed to 9, to spell Houghton and Play Hadley or Thompson at 13, Just to shake things up a bit ha, or confuse things

No surprises at all.

The starting 13 is obvious, the only issue will be the make up of the bench. We need a big bench to match the Giants pack but we also need someone who can cover hooker if need be. I suspect Houghton will play the 80 but what if he gets injured?

Hadley will play there. There's no way Radford will start shifting 6 and 7 about - especially this early on.

I trust Houghton to play the full 80, but at least Hadley is there if absolutely needed. Maybe Cunningham and Howarth haven't trained too well in the week?

Hopefully Yeaman gets his act together...

You'd hope wouldn't you

Think this will happen. Radford will 'see how it goes' in relation to Houghton during the game.

HDM match preview: www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Huddersf ... story.html Some interesting stats there

HDM match preview: www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Huddersf ... story.html Some interesting stats there

and leaves.

I would drop him from the squad in a heartbeat but because him and Radford are best pals, it's never going to happen.

No complaints about that squad. Looking forward to seeing what they've got.

Good to see our "supporters" are already sharpening their knives.

Miserable feckers.

If you can't be cheerful about the prospect of being less than 48 hours from seeing Minichiello's thighs, there's something seriously wrong with you.

Who would you play instead?

If Yeaman has poor performances, I would then look at the younger players such as Jack Logan.

Nice to see the SKY "pundits" all have Huddersfield to win this week