this is true he was a handful for nearly all defences he came up against last season, causing constant problems on the left hand side. we've been short in this area since manu left us. shaul especially should have some joy running off him. pritchard could well improve our support play as he will no doubt tell his runners where to operate and won't be best pleased if they don't appear - and you don't want to get on the wrong side of big frank (pun intended). i think sika manu will operate down the right so there is a good chance he and mini will be able to spell each other so mini can get a bit more rest in games when needed. much will depend on how much field position our pack are able to set up in the opponents last third, but once there i expect our attacking options to be much improved on last season

www.loverugbyleague.com/news_202 ... eason.html Confirmation that Ellis will play prop/loose and 'cover back row'. Also confirmation (not that he needed it) that Ellis is a machine to get himself fit for the start of the season. What a superstar.

www.loverugbyleague.com/news_202 ... eason.html Confirmation that Ellis will play prop/loose and 'cover back row'. Also confirmation (not that he needed it) that Ellis is a machine to get himself fit for the start of the season. What a superstar.

Me personally I like Abdul at 13 he's more of an old school 13 rather then just another forward like westerman was and he's not a 6 if it isn't happening for pryce I'm think Carlos will get 6 cause that's his favoured position and from what I've seen of him he has quite the X factor much like kelly where he can create something from nothing and I think with Logan, shaul and Carlos backing up Pritchard and watts etc I think our support play will improve tenfold

By HDM standards, a pretty balanced piece. Don't agree about props being our strongest section of the squad given the quality and depth of the back row, but clear in this article that they see Tuimavave as left centre playing outside Pritchard. And a massive season for Sneyd. m.hulldailymail.co.uk/Competitio ... story.html

By HDM standards, a pretty balanced piece. Don't agree about props being our strongest section of the squad given the quality and depth of the back row, but clear in this article that they see Tuimavave as left centre playing outside Pritchard. And a massive season for Sneyd. m.hulldailymail.co.uk/Competitio ... story.html

I noticed Fonua mention a few times her prefers centre. That could make it difficult for Jack Logan to squeeze in, at least a the start of the season but I still think we might see Tuimavave play a bit of 6 if Pryce doesnt pick up his form. If Franks as good as they say on the left then it pays to have a bit of pace outside him and Logan bring this.

I still think LR isn't fully convinced by Shaul, he put Rankin in front of him even when Rankin was leaving, I am guessing thats one of the reasons for trialing Lee Smith.

Good that we have a few more options, especially when injury bites and good that they see Abdul playing a lot of 13.

I don't think does necessarily, I'd expect our three quarters to be Fonua,Talanoa, Tuimavave and Logan, just not sure what order. Depending on how Abdull's pre season is going I think we could see him and Sneyd in the halves. Don't seem to have heard very much about Pryce this off season. Plus Radford was talking about Ellis and Manu as possible 13s, I think.

Fonua and Talanoa looking in good shape. Two big wingers.

The younger players look like they've been working hard in pre season too:

Turgut


Lancaster


Logan

I like the look of Carlos in left centre. He has a neat standing still step similar to Watkins which can unlock a defence. I also think jack logan deserves his chance to start too. My team would look something like this..

shaul
Talanoa
Carlos
logan
fonua
pryce
snyed
watts
Houghton
ellis
Pritchard
minichiello
abdull

Subs
manu
washbrook
Taylor
Thompson/feka/ green

Last bench spot up for grabs.

I also hope Talanoa has worked on high balls, he's fantastic out of our own end and tor me he's just short of been top class. If he can rectify this we have a brilliant wiger on hands. With hopefully a better attack due to forwards laying a platform, he could bag a few more tries too.

Talanoa will start on the wing and looks in good shape but is lacking in the basic skillset required of catching and passing to be a great back. Handful yes, but game breaker I doubt.

I would like to see Lancaster breakthrough on the wing to give us genuine pace in a back line alongside Shaul. Logan and Carlos is the centre look like they have the ability to put the winger away and with such a solid pack I would hope to see us gamble a bit in the backs.

Lancaster and Logan look to have both put some muscle on in pre season after looking at their pics on Instagram

Shaul
Talanoa
Carlos
Logan
Fonua
Pryce
Sneyd
Watts
Houghton
Taylor
Ellis
Minichello
Manu

Washbrook
Pritchard
Abdul
Thompson

When he wants to spell a prop Ellis will move up, Pritchard into Second row, Abdul for Manu if required or in backs if Pryce knackered or not working, Washbrook for the obvious, Thompson for multitude when Mini or Ellis need a spell. Options all over the park.

Still got Hadley, Lancaster. Whiting, Bowden, Green, Yeaman in squad too plus several like Downs, Fash, Turgut, HTW, Matongo who've played the odd SL game. Some depth.

just think all the options he has to change things doesn't really weaken the team as such and most of last years bench are going to struggle to get in baring injuries. He can rest a prop and utilise Ellis there while bringing on Pritchard. When Mini needs a break or Ellis he can bring on Thompson and swap the rested prop for whoever he left on.

If Pyrce isn't cutting it he can either bring on Abdul or move Carlos there and put Thompson in the backs.

Washbrook can spell Houghton which everyone was crying out for last year.

And as you say he has options to change things if it doesn't work with Hadley, Whiting, Bowden etc.

Forgot about Naughton and Michaels too as cover in the backs.

Tuimavave will be Left Centre - said in the HDM that he will play outside Pritchard

Wouldnt surprise me if we saw tuim at stand off and smith at centre after a few games.We cert have lots of options COYH

If smith gets into our squad never mind our 17 I'd be fuming and a sign that Radford has no faith in the youth or his signings!

The only reason I can see is signing Smith is to cover full back as apart from Shaul we don't have anyone. He would be about 8th choice for and wing.

Shaul
Michaels
Carlos
Fonua
Talanoa
Pryce
Sneyd
Watts
Houghton
Ellis
Mini
Pritchard
Abdul/Manu

Washbrook
Taylor
Thompson
Abdul/Manu

Though I don't think it'll be long into the season till we see Carlos at 6 and Logan in the .

Looks good, my only change would be Thompson for Green.

Is Ellis really going to be playing front row? Seems a waste to me. Never seemed the type.
I guess we'll see.

For me the progress and consistency of the performances from logan last season makes it very difficult to drop him and somewhat unfair as he was one shining light of our season. He deserves to start and kick on from last year. None of the other clubs would drop a player who performed with the right attitude and skill set as he did. The try assists and the chase for danny Houghton kick against wigan which many would of gave up on is testimant to that, along with genuine pace out wide, it would send out the wrong message and we need to nurture this kid because he could be a class act.

Ellis will do spells in both the front and back row. Mainly in the front row I would guess due to the sheer strength we have in the back row. With he likes of Pritchard, Mini, Manu, Abdull, Thompson, Washbrook, Whiting, Hadley and youngsters.

HDM's prediction for Salford: www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-FC- ... z3wSGuOf84 Shaul Fonua Logan Tuimavave Talanoa Pryce Sneyd Taylor Houghton Watts Minichiello Pritchard Abdull

HDM's prediction for Salford: www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-FC- ... z3wSGuOf84 Shaul Fonua Logan Tuimavave Talanoa Pryce Sneyd Taylor Houghton Watts Minichiello Pritchard Abdull