How is thomson a utility back. ? He's not played backs for us once has he? He's played mostly as an unorthodox prop. And been outstanding at it, a revelation even. Also great in the back row. We've got 5 front line props. B t wilson coming through. Thomson as mentioned. N Ellis will probably have game/spells there if only to make space to give 1 of the many young back rows a game/game time

Hahaha - he made Clarkey sound like a pro. I cannot even begin to describe some of the players names he read out but I'm sure we had a "Mark Mini Metro" playing for us. And as for Feka...

And they were getting so exasperated with the driver of that coach

Echo what people have said. I think it was a good hit out for the full squad. Only downsides are the injuries to Rankin and Lineham, although Tom was taken off as a precaution so hopefully there's not much to it.

The announcer brightened up a cold day though. "Setaimata" "Tala, talan,talanoa" "Michinello" "Bobby Tyson-Williams"

We have enough props. Whether or not they are of sufficient standard is a different question, but in pure numbers we have enough. If we were looking to add one it certainly shouldn't be in the same pay bracket as I'd expect Naughton to be.

I am focusing on a good player in Naughton thanks,Rankins picked up a injury and we don't know how bad it is so good job we signed him as no cover at FB if we didn't.As for props,we have 5 plus BTW and Ellis can do a job if need be so not concerned at all.Im happy with the squad balance we have.

he was in the pub - he said i'll go back after i've finished my 5th pint

Found the York game on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BmcmnFHChA Picture not great but still good watch

Found the York game on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BmcmnFHChA Picture not great but still good watch

thanks for that

Paul Cookes take on the first game. Makes good reading for the Hull youngsters. www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk/a ... -was-a-bit All the best for the upcoming Season

Paul Cookes take on the first game. Makes good reading for the Hull youngsters. www.doncasterrugbyleague.co.uk/a ... -was-a-bit All the best for the upcoming Season

Quote ="AirlieJo"Found the York game on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BmcmnFHChA Picture not great but still good watch'" Great find. Thanks for posting the link. Praise the Lord (the wife) for a 50" smart telly. Watching it now with a nice sauvignon blanc from that there Chile.

Quote ="AirlieJo"Found the York game on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BmcmnFHChA Picture not great but still good watch'" Great find. Thanks for posting the link. Praise the Lord (the wife) for a 50" smart telly. Watching it now with a nice sauvignon blanc from that there Chile.

There were 2 different announcers..

Good news for Jordan Rankin with shoulder not as bad as feared. Will be fine for start of season, looking at 2 weeks out.

Great news Wilf think FB may be the most hotly contested position this year with three strong contenders.

Watched the York game last night, like others Sa really stood out and when Shaul came on he looked unplayable and really set his marker down for the FB spot.

Was also impressed with BTW in his limited time, ran well and but a couple of big hits in, I would have no hesitation about him playing a few SL games, some gametime at Donny will also help him.

I know it was only against York, but you can really see what an intelligent half Sneyd is, he was doing things that no other halfback we have had in the last few years does, some of the things he didn't come off (and this will happen next season), but I will stick my neck out and say he will be one of our best ever signings, he just had such a good brain and he gives the runners so many options.

Hooker is still my big concern, no idea why Cunningham didn't play at hooker and at times he looked a spare part on the field.

I reckon we are planning to go with Houghton for the 80, which I think could be a big mistake.

Slightly disagree with this, Dave.

I've been a bit of a critic of Houghtons speed of thought, but watching the York game, he looks to be a bit sharper. It's his passing that needs to improve. Some of the passes are quite high - meaning he's trying to pass too quickly and losing accuracy. Cunningham should be given a start against Rovers to give us an indication of his ability. Then Howarth, then Danny.

Overall, with the York game, it was very rough, but I was pleased with the options we had in attack and in particular with Fetuli and Setaimata. Both will be devastating this year. Hardly speed merchants, but their wingers will devour the chances.

Shaul gets better, his individual try was pure skill and balance. The battle between Shaul, Naughton and Rankin for fullback is mouth-watering.

I'm heading towards optimism again, but bloody hell, it's a long way to go.

That's quite a claim for a bloke that's played 80 mins in a friendly against a part time club. You could be hailed as a visionary, or ridiculed as a prat by the time summer comes.

You bored on the KR board by any chance? Ah, back in the day...

I bet Lineham will love plying outside of Sa. The guy takes no risks. If he is 1 on 1 with the full back he always draws the man and just gives a nice simple ball to his winger. I remember him doing last year against Rovers when he Coul easily have gone himself from 1 metre out but he doesn't appear to be a selfish player, just wants to make sure we get the try.
tried flicking through the York video just to see the tries and missed a few but noticed Linehams try where again he just played an easy ball to Tom to waltz over.

Just watched the game. Pretty standard pre season stuff really. We looked rusty with ball in hand at times, but that would be expected from any team in their first hit out.

As others have said Sa looked very strong and BTW showed up well. Shaul was just Shaul. Wonderful broken field runner, but I thought Rankin's link up play was much the better of the two. Good news that his injury doesn't seem serious.

The halves were a mixed bag for me. I can't comment on the kicking game because we barely had one. The forwards were so dominant we hardly ever kicked from deep. Aside from the chip to Talanoa for his try I though Sneyd put some stinking short kicks in. Especially in the first half. However his range and quality of passing was very good. He threw one into touch near the end, but I didn't see much wrong with the pass. I just thought Talanoa wasn't expecting it. Same with Pryce. He had a couple of passes go to ground but he also showed some lovely soft hands at times.

One thing I really was pleased with was our line speed which I thought was really good throughout.

On the whole. A good hit out, but we'll learn a lot more at weekend.

I have been one of Houghon biggest fans and have stuck for him many times when he has been IMO wrongly criticised in the past, but not sure he is quite as effective playing 80 minutes.

I am basing it more on what I have seen of him the last two years and then fact we haven't had a fully fit player of his type since 2007. He may not be one the our best players, but I think he will become one of most important signings.

Pretty much how I saw it.

Me to. Although I was impressed with how pryce played . could be the general we need in midfield.

Rumbled

No shame in that, always welcome here.