Assuming Wigan, Saints & Catalan are certs, we still have Leigh, Hull KR, Leeds & I’d throw Hudds in there too. I don’t think it will be easy…

I see all the Sky team had Leigh out of the top 6 & Leeds in. That should be a good motivator for us.

Hayes being around puts pressure on Drinkwater to perform. Plus if the plan is to release Drinkwater at the end of the season we can expect to see Hayes getting games.

Nothing like a bit of competition to bring the best out of journeymen.

Yes, I was a bit surprised that at least one of them didn't say Wire to be the team to miss out. Instead, they were talking us up as being likely top 4. I think the whole 'Burgess aura' thing has got them a bit spooked.

I wouldn't have catalans as certs. With the players they have lost I think they could struggle to make the 6. I'm expecting us, Hull kr and leigh to finish above them.

Appears for a Q&A with Toby King on social media that Josh Thewlis hasn’t traveled, he and his partner have had a baby. Would expect Wrench to move to the wing if it is true.

That probably means that Ratchford will be playing centre then, as I don`t expect Lindop to play 1st team centre just yet.

Agreed (assuming Stef is fully fit). I'm all for giving young players their chance, and Lindop may well feature at some point this season, but Catalans away would be a tough gig for a debut.

Lindop could well be in at centre if ratch and thewlis are unfit. I'm looking forward to seeing how we go, I expect we will be a bit NRL to be honest. Make ground with 1 up carries early in the tackle count and play a bit more expansive when we get in the opposition half. We will need to be a lot more resilient than we have been in recent years for that to work.

I don't think we will be too pretty to watch, but so long as its effective I don't really care after the last few seasons we've endured.

We probably need a few ugly wins under our belt before we worry about “points for style”!

Totally agree, I think we need to look like a really solid defensive unit, we do have some punch when we get further upfield but need to respect possession and territory. I will be happy to see an aggressive defensive unit today with good line speed, playing the game in the right areas of the pitch.

I'm looking forward to it.

Lindops starting

Very brave team selection by Burgess.

Hope the kid plays well.

So not picking on reputation then!

Hayes for next week v. Hull?