Which begs the question how detailed was the clubs medical examination prior to his signing? In football you always hear 'signing subject to a fitness test' you could say the same here.

Let's hope we don't have an expensive Luke Davico on our hands.

I'd go

FB 6 French
RW 2 Marshall
RC 1 Hardaker
LC 23 Jake Bibby
LW 5 J.Burgess
SO 28 Smith
SH 31 Hastings
P 19 Bullock
H 7 Leuluai
P 20 Byrne
SR 11 Isa
SR 16 Smithies
LF 12 Farrell

S 9 Powell
S 17 Partington
S 22 Clark
S 30 Havard

Smith's defence worries me but at least he looks a threat ball in hand. Considered Greenwood over Isa but at least Isa throws himself into the game, even if he is less talented and gives away stupid penalties. Farrell has come to into his own at loose in the past, give him the ball and the leaway to choose where he attacks.

Three props on the bench to combat their big pack. Clubb offers less than the youngsters at this stage, not worth a spot. What's the crack with Flower? They only mention Gildart as injured.

Starting to get really concerned about the injury status of G Burgess. An update would be nice and just seeks to fuel the fire that this hip injury is a serious one. It may be premature but we may need to start looking at replacements. G Burgess was meant to add fire and size to the pack, at the moment he’s a white elephant.

As for the team, I agree with earlier comments about Hull’s pack size; we need to match and dominate in that department to stand any chance.

1. French
2. Marshall
3. Zak
4. Bibby
5. J Burgess
6. Hastings
7. Smith
8. Bullock
9. Powell
10. Clarke
11. Isa
12. Faz
13. Smithies

14. Bryne
15. Havard
16. Tommy
17. Partington

I’d be tempted to switch Partington with Isa in the back row rather than with Bullock/Clarke at prop. I think he’d suit that role far more than prop. As much as I want Manfredi in, it’s probably a game too soon. Another run out with the reserves won’t harm him.

Any news on Flower? We could do with his experience in the pack.

I'll be surprised if Smith gets a starting slot. I don't know why we have three wingers in the squad. They are surely going to do 80, so either Manfredi is fit and ready for a game, in which case leave out Marshall or Burgess, or he isn't (my view would be, he isn't).

We have got 6 props in the squad also but they wont all play.

Or Manfredi has been brought back in to get a feel for first team rugby on game day. 18th man, out on the pitch for warm up, back in the dressing room, back onto the bench to watch etc.

Really? That’s funny. The rest of the rugby league world had major concerns 3 years ago when he was having about 4 operations a year on it.

I believe that manfredi plays on Sunday

So?
As Wigan fan I assume that you are concerned?

Lam seemed distinctly unimpressed with Joe Burgess in the Toronto post match interview. I thought then we could be seeing Marshall and Manfredi on the wings the following week but we'll see.