This isn't a digbut a genuine question, for those living in Hull and near surroundings what difference is there in getting to a Thursday night game to a Friday night game if both are on sky?

How many wouldn't turn up because it was on sky at this juncture (As in first game up)?
Yes Catalans aren't going to bring more than a handful but then there are a few teams that have only brought a few hundred anyway.
There's what, circa 7500 full membership holders incl kids so that going to be approx 4500 tickets sold (so far)
TBH I thought there'd be more like 14k for the first game after the excitement of last year, even more so with the £2.50 offer, indeed it might even get near that with walk ups and ticket sales beforehand.

I also think the £2.50 would have being better used some other time in the season, aren't supporters going to come to the first game of the new season on the back of last anyway?

Lots of fans live out of town, it's a school night (although it's half term), but the point stands about Thursdays compared to Fridays, more shift workers are likely to work Thursday, rather than Friday and lots of other people finish earlier on a Friday and like me it's tight to make it home and get to the game on a Thursday.

I thought 90% of home supporters would live within the city boundary or just outside of, I haven't lived in Hull since 1989 so still working on the traditional fan base with a few down the road as it were (I used to get the circular from Bransholme as a kid which took ages!) but I get the point about shift workers.
I never really thought about it but I guess Hull still does have a reasonably large % of people on shifts but I still think that first game up fans will make the effort to go even without a £2.50 offer.

So with Kelly banned, straight swap for Connor? Hope Shaul is ok, any information come out with regards to his injury?

If Shaul is out (I've no idea either way) then Tui or Connor to play 6 and the other to play 1. Bring in Michaels (if he's fit) or Lancaster? and move Fonua to centre.

It will depend whether Shaul is fit.
If he is then Radford will play Connor at 6 if not then Connor to full back with Michaels to wing and Fonua to centre

I would have been amazed if FC had got anywhere near 16,000 even on a Sunday for this fixture. If as the rumourmill suggests, 13,000 to 14,000 for a Thursday fixture against Catalan will be excellent IMO. Well done to the club for selling this many. As has been mentioned, shift workers, and TFI effect, Friday would be better.

Spoke to a friend of mine today who's son came home from school yesterday with a leaflet saying "your school/club can get tickets for the Catalan game adults £10 and kids £5 just take the voucher to the shop to purchase them" this was a school in Thorngumbald so it's like the club are really going for it.

I'd rather they did this for games against Wigan or Leeds to hit 20k than for Catalans to hit 14k

Why when this game is going to attract no away fans and it's our 1st home game of the season so I'm all for it lets gets all the floaters hooked.

Indeed, people will go and see a game against Wigan anyway (especially if not televised), first home game, Thursday night, on TV, anything over 10,000 is simply brilliant, and if 10% of the number above 10,000 keep coming then it's all good for the club.