Bentley is back.

Like having a new signing having Jimmy back!

The team probably picks itself other than Frawley / Sinfield.

Miller
Handley Newman Momo Fussy
Croft Sinfield (Frawley)
Oledzki O'Connor Eseh
McDonnell Martin
Smith

Ackers Bentley Lisone Donaldson

I could see Ackers starting again and returning to a more traditional hooker.

This might be unpopular but Bentley and Donaldson back for Arthur's first game might not be a bad thing and along with O'connor they should get us some line speed as they are prepared to put their bodies on the line.

Not a shock to see BA pick as close to 1-17 as are available. Those are supposed to be our "best" and most experienced players, and most will have played under different systems so won't need to be told what to change from scratch. It also gives them first go to impress him, which hopefully they will.

It will obviously be interesting to see how we go against KR, but also what changes start to be made from there. We have no room to experiment or wait for improvement for games on end, so we might see some pretty brutal treatment of underperforming players from then on in.

I would have both Ackers and O’Conner
starting to improve speed of play and defensive intensity, and have Smith coming in later to run at tired forwards.

Agree. Have Smith and Lisone as bench props to offer some impact and Bentley to come off the bench to maintain the line speed

It’s nice to have Bentley and to some extent Donno back but neither is going to help our problems with go-forward. We’re still in the crisis of impact at the line.

Eseh Mik and Lisone have to be very direct and I’d like to se some structural changes to get all players into space more effectively and reduce the hospital passes.

Predictions...? I can see a win or loss by 6.

He’s picked the side I probably would have TBF; this means we’re doomed.

Feels like a big game today in the context of this season, come on boys.