London we have to beat, KR we don't. So it will be very interesting to see Jimmy's approach to that game. I reckon it is way too early to use it as some kind of playoffs 'tester' or dry run, so I'm thinking it depends on whether Jimmy thinks there is any realistic chance of us winning it. Surely privately there is no way he thinks that, and so I would expect to see more a try-out squad, with some players who would have incentive to play for a starting spot, and I would not expect to see a first choice team - if he even has one at this point.



What I would enjoy is a match comparable to that one a few years back when we sent the juniors and schoolboys to play at the mighty Wigan - and nearly caused an upset. But don't forget that, unlike us, KR can entertain realistic ambitions to get to Wembley, so they will definitely be well up for it, it's a much more important game for them and I expect them to field a strong team.

I know it's a risk but I think he can learn a lot about his players against Rovers and there's not many more big opportunities before the eights. With due respect to other Championship clubs they are not going to provide that level of test, other than Leigh at Odsal........We could do with playing Leigh every week. After we get beaten by Sheffield and London I may regret that statement.

The way HKR are playing at the moment there’s not many SL teams that would want to play them. Their attacking play is miles above anything we see in the championship. If we keep the score respectable we’re doing alright.

Agreed. Think we need to go with our strongest squad. If KR batter us, then the players know what to expect come the super 8's.



We can rest a a few against Doncaster who haven't womma game yet.

Agree we need to at least treat the KR game with some significance and try and get a result however likely, I thought they would struggle this year but have clicked right away and credit to them.



Maybe rest a couple against Doncaster then field our strongest side, we will then at least know the task ahead of us, most of us don't know our starting side yet so would be nice to see them together.

Are you posting from your mobile? I'm intrigued as to how it would auto-correct to that

If HKR keep up their current form it isn't likely they will be in the middle 8's. - though their neighbours across Hull might be.



Even at this stage of the season it looks more likely a crunch game will be against our old friends currently struggling to find 17 players? - fancy writing a letter about it?

I agree that HKR, the way they are going ,wont be in the middle 8's, but it will be a good test to see where we are. But do we even know if HKR will play their best 17 against us?



When we get to the middle 8's Im confident we'll give a good account of ourselves and at least make the playoff game. Of my current Bulls starting 13 only 2 (I think) players have not played at super league level, so its hardly going to be a real culture shock. Yes we're playing teams with bigger budgets and who have been playing to a faster set of rules this season, but the vast majority of our starting 13/17 and the coaching staff have been there and done that and so I believe has the capacity to adapt to that quickly.



We should be good enough to account for the 3rd and 4th place championship teams if we're to have any hope, and I dont think there will be much more than a try either way between us and a very good leigh side home or away, and as they are at the moment I'd fancy both us and leigh to beat wakey home or away. It then depends on who the other 3 SL sides are and what shape they are in come the middle 8's - and we're not going to know that untill the last couple of weeks of the season. But we have players and staff used to playing the likes of Widnes/Hull/Cas home or away and I think 3rd 4th or 5th in the middle 8's is acheivable with our squad, and then the worst case is a one off 80min match - at which point all logic and budgets will go out of the window and that match will be who wants it the most on the day and could go either way no matter which teams are involved.



One thing, why is the final playoff million billion pound super doopeer playoff game played at the home of the 4th placed team? Why not a neutral venue for such a big match?

Because the RFL want to maximise Odsal's use

Well quite, it would be a waste of such an iconic venue if it was played at some poor relation like the mcalpine

I think we need 4 players at full fitness who are clearly not there right now. Blythe, Ferguson, Lauaki and Davis will make a massive difference to our team when fully fit. I too am slightly disappointed in Harry as I expected him to take the line on more but I do think we need to stay with him. If we drop him now it would make it difficult to pick him again as where will he get game time practice with Gaskel?



Also, people are talking about the Leigh home game being massive. I have wondered about this. With only one game left after that before the play off's what if Leigh are so far ahead in points difference that we can only finish second and get that "debatable" better set of fixtures would you put out a full team and risk injury or give your best 17 a week off and rest up.

The last game against Halifax will also be tough but the team selection in those two last games may depend if we have already secured 2nd and no chance of getting 1st. Promotion is all that matters this year - not playing pretty rugby!

Confidence ... I am happy that we are sliding under the radar that has been said. We "should" make it this season. We are a much better team than any other side in the Championship. Its still early and a lot of games are giving the others the opportunity to bring there best game. To me there is going to be one slot to play for. We will do much better when we get officials that officiate the rules as per SL.