We have more resilience this year. I can see a scenario where Olpherts doesn’t play first grade this year for one. Also Donno will struggle to get back in the 17 once we get troops back. Bentley has a battle with O’Connor and McDonnell.

We have a couple of centres who can cover Mom and Newman rather than moving Martin out…. I just think we have way better strength in depth this year which should lead to more consistency.

Already, and we’re not alone here, it’s obvious we need to keep Croft fit.

I understand what you are saying, but at this point in the season all that matters is the 2 points in the next game.

If we lose against Leigh, win against Saints, or vice versa doesn't matter all that much at this stage. Maybe more important to win the next one to build a bit of belief in the squad that we are moving away from the inconsistency that dogged us last season. But we can't really prioritise effort against who we think will finish 3rd to 6th in another 20 or so rounds, there are too many variables in play and things aren't as predictable as they may seem.

Maximise the points on offer, and take confidence from showing we can match it with the likes of Saints even if we're still a work in progress.

I agree Leigh will be a tough ask.

Leigh are really annoying: I mean fair play to them genuinely they’ve done terrifically well. It just seems wrong that they can be better than Leeds with all our history and resources and academy etc…. Anyway. Hopefully we put in another good performance and start to build real confidence and swagger.

This is what can happen in a salary capped sport if you get it mostly right.

Leigh will struggle if they continue to pick up injuries their squad is light.

They were pretty lucky in that regard last season which helped them.

There are benefits to growing your own talent on the salary cap; plus marquees you can pretty much spend as much as you can afford there can’t you? So it’s not an entirely level playing field…

I’m quite up for this one, early season but we should still be climbing the table.

Just realised, RE thread title it's not Centurions anymore

Big losses Ipape, Asiata and Briscoe. Helps Leeds chances.

Ipape is phenomenal on his day. Looks like Dwyer might be lining up against Ackers?

Briscoe is solid but probably not a huge loss (like he wasn't for us) - Asiata is a bit grubby but good, they might miss him.

Nice interviews with Holroyd and Ruan on the Rhinos media: imagine they will both play again.