Lets hope for a seven or eight today

I hope he does, as I want us to win, however even if he has a great game, I still think what Hodgson is rumored to be doing is wrong.

If he doesn't think he is ready and surely he can't if he won't play him against bottom of league with 3 halfbacks out, instead choosing to play inexperienced hookers (in terms of playing halfback) then he may as well send him on loan for the rest of the season.

Lovely day for it anyway. Hopefully a decent crowd and 2 points, but will be a difficult game.

Connor
Macintosh
Carlos
Wynne
Shaul
Lover
JJ
Sao
Mint
Kane
Ma’u
Lane
Fash
Subs
Brown
Tag
Balmforth
Satae

Amor

Would be highly arrogant to *expect* a comfortable win IMO. If we have Gale, Reynolds, Connor and McNamara unavailable plus a further 6 out they will fancy it. On their day they are a handy side, beating Saints of course and losing to a Wigan drop goal. There aren't any straightforward games in this competition - last night for example a full strength Rovers were beaten by a depleted Leeds side. I'd hope the forwards can lay a big enough platform that the decimation of our 1-7 can be overcome, but our lack of creativity is a big concern.

I'd read a comment from Hodgson saying he wanted players to earn the shirt and he won't give out first team starts lightly, trying to create a better culture, but then this could be at the expense of youngsters gets chance, whereas he seems to prefer to use experienced players even if it's square pegs in round holes. Bit of a catch 22, I think if the young lads attitudes good and he's very professional then why deny them give them the opportunity.

Hope the rumours of Balmforth are true though, so not all negative be good to see tmwhat the kids got.

And if he feels Hookems not quite ready after a long spell out, then fair play. I'm sure we l have enough to beat Toronto.

Just need Connor taking on kicking duties who I thinks out best Inplay kicker anyway.

Connor is playing though, this is the type of game where he should stand out.

Four hookers and six props. This isn't going to be a classic. But if we get our game plan right we should be able to grind them down, keep the score low and wait for our breaks.

So it looks like we'll have our sixth different starting half back pairing of the season

Reynolds/Gale
Reynolds/McNamara
McNamara/Lovodua
Lovodua/Gale
Reynolds/Lovodua
Lovodua/Johnstone

Looks like two hookers at halfback, missed opportunity and feel for Litten and Hookem who could have had a tough gane against Bradford instead of playing against Warrington reserves.

Get your money on Johnstone first tryscorer though.

Litten and hookem both in the reserves team

So balmforth will likely play be interesting how he go's

Pleased for Balmforth though, really hope he gets some gametime today.

I never said a comfortable win but if as a fan, hosting the bottom team at home, I would expect us to win ( doing it might be a different matter).

I don't think my expectations are arrogant at all but you do down play us every week to excuse a loss anyway.

marion and cunningham in the halves for Toulouse, no Gigot/Albert/Newman

I wasn't replying to you.

Pleased that Balmforth is on the bench (hope is isn’t an unused bench spot) but very disappointed Hookem isn’t involved today considering we have no Gale, Reynolds or McNamara preferring to use Johnstone.

Don’t really see the point of bringing Hookem back to then not use him from the bench at least against the side at the bottom.

Balmforth needs to get a shot. I'm already disappointed Hookem isn't getting a game so would be doubly disappointed if Balmforth only ends up getting 5 minutes at the end. Physically he looks capable.

I’d rather have seen BH use the youth more as opposed to preferring to use a player the club wanted rid of at the end of last season. We’ve seen under BH the amount of times we’ve had an unused bench spot so will see if Balmforth is given any decent minutes today.

I know it's obvious that I'm not a fan of JJ, but this isn't about him, it's about playing people out of position when we have younger players ready for a chance.

I'd hoped those days where over

Agreed and that what’s really bugging me to be honest and more so after BH’s own comments about Hookem at the end of last season. So just don’t see why we have a player the club wanted rid of given more opportunity than our own youth.

Very disappointing with the team selection of Johnstone at 7 ....
If Hookem cannot get a chance , against the bottom team in SL at home, When will he get a game??

Regarding JJ, Hodgson coached him before at Widnes, I'd be very surprised if he is not offered a contract renewal in the near future...

Oh no. Poor start.

Agree with you Chris
said this many times before Hodgson is too loyal to certain players.Johnstone nothing more than a gritty old fashioned nine with no pace.
Interesting to see if Hodgson actually gives some game time to the young nine on the bench