Back on topic..



Re: Herbert, this tweet from Connor gives me a little bit more encouragement about his condition, because I was starting to get frustrated:

First time they've hinted at it being a tear as opposed to just a strain. Althout that is just connors opinion rather anything official. would make more sense of length of time he's been missing.

There's also this, insinuating it hopefully isn't too bad in response to someone asking how long he's gonna be out:







It's right that the club are taking all the necessary precautions two games into the season.

That's fine. You do, I dont.

No problemo.

HBs tend to show at a younger age, they tend to be most skilful & quick of the smaller players. The only class HB who seemed to escape at a young age was Sean Long from what I remember.

Having seen the Crusaders last week, I'd tip you lot comfortably here. Sammut apart, they were mediocre. They have plenty of size and Sammut is quality but they lacked guile last week, and should have broken us down more than they did. A more mobile, skilfull team than us would also have scored more tries.

I dont care how well the crusaders are starting off the year and if bulls have no half backs. The time for excuses are over!!! we must start concentrating on games instead of blaming refs and quota spots for other teams etc! Our pack on paper should destroy crusaders pack! but we are on about bulls i guess rnt we! on paper even without half backs we shud quite easily get the 2 points. So then my team would be:



Royston

Ainscough

Walker

Platt

Raynor

Ah Van

Kearney

Hargreaves

Diskin

Lynch

Whitehead

Elima

Addy



Bench: Lestrange, Scruton, Donaldson, Kopzack



Think donno might get the shout this weekend if fit... Ah van im not sure about at 6 BUT he cant be any worse than sykes can he? Regardless this team should win this game comfatably. But bulls are bulls and make life hard for there selves. Anyway thats my team. Thoughts???

So that's one half back between two teams. Gonna be a cracker!

Can't disagree with that.



Ainscough must be chomping at the bit to come into the side. So moving Ah Van to 6 and Ainscough taking his place on the wing makes sense to me.



I'd also start with Diskin, rather than L'Estrange. We look stronger with Diskin on the field, and L'Estrange's running style would better suit a hooker coming off the bench and taking on tired defences.

Judging from his Twitter feed, he is.

Not in the squad

Once Donaldson is fit enough to play, I'd expect him to get a game or two in the U20s before he comes back into the first team anyway (unless we're desperate). Better to let him get some match fitness back at that level before throwing him back into Super League, bearing in mind he's still a young bloke.