We are down to the bare bones with our pack at the worst possible time with us arguably playing the toughest 5 teams over the next 5 games, certainly the toughest 4 in the next 4. What do people expect we will go with? Does anyone have an accurate timeline on the absentees? Singleton the next one due back?

Looking towards Hull KR on Thursday I would think Byrne and Ellis will be our starting props, Powell at hooker, Farrell and Smithies in the back row and Shorrocks at LF with a bench of Mago, Hill, Nsemba and one other. That really does leave us light in front row especially if Mago only plays his usual minutes. Would Thornley be an option on the bench to cover the backs and maybe do a stint in the forwards? He seems to use his size a lot better than previous spells with the club but you do worry about his fitness as he struggles to stay fit when playing on the wing.
The more I look at the fixtures and what we currently have to play with the more I think we need to bring the Walters deal forward even if we have to pay a few quid, this really could de-rail our season, especially if another one of our props goes down.

One more injury and it’s a real concern. As it stand now, I’m excited to see what Nsemba and Hill can produce, to see if Mago can continue his better form and to see if Ellis and Byrne can thrive on the extra responsibility. I love the attitude that runs through the club and even the fan base is buying in, that there are no excuses and we just crack on with the next player in line.

By the same token, You can’t be blind to it and think injuries never become an issue and I would imagine they’ll be looking to see if there is anybody they could bring in from outside but they’ll not make excuses. We can leave that for other clubs around these parts.

I think we have a few players luckily who can play different positions but If more injuries come to the forwards we’ll be buggered. At the moment prop and second row the concern at a push I imagine Smithies and Nsemba can come in as props with Hill. We can play Cust and Powell who can fill smithies and 2nd row Shorrocks is probably our main choice atm but maybe look at a reserve lad to be cover