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Why would either of them not get to the end of the season because they both lost (granted heavily)? I don't think either club is under any illusions with where they're at, at the moment.

Newcastle away this. Glad they managed to get a side together as I always enjoy a drive up north. Game wise you would think we will be too strong for them, that said you don't want to go into a game with that attitude so hopefully we are switched on and get a professional job done. It'll be interesting to see if there any changes to the 17, as we've been unchanged in the league this season. I noticed Lanskey went off injured and there's obviously the 2 new players to consider.

Yep I would agree with that. Hopefully Revell and Nuu both add something that we don't have or improve what we do already have. I'm sure the squad will continue to be improved when and where possible, Jake Webster alluded to that in the video the club announced recently. The club never announced anything but Nathan Conroy has signed for Cornwall. He played one game, against Fev, in the challenge cup for us. I think with Conroy leaving and the 2 new signings, we now have a 27 man squad (including DFJ), so effectively 26.

Mitch Revell arrives at Keighley Cougars from Villeneuve today, will be interesting to see how goes.

Back to it this week what feels like forever since we last played. The squad was announced earlier and new signing Junior Nuu is included. The rest of the squad looks to be at full strength and hopefully we can be at full strength on the day. Crusaders, like us, are unbeaten and will be coming full of confidence. Hopefully we continue to improve and I think that we will have too much for them, at home especially.

I doubt it. Don't Cas have something like 15 injuries at the moment?

Junior Nuu also signs. I think the club announced a while back that he's been training with us after spending his whole career playing Union. A big, strong outside back but the looks of it. Will be interesting to see how he goes if and when he plays.

I've never seen or heard of anything like that before. How did he do it?

I'm not sure where he will fit in the 17 exactly but from what I've read online he can play pretty much anywhere in the front or back row, other than hooker. If he's versatile that should give us options and cover for as and when injuries/suspension occur. He might just be better than what we have at the moment and he walks into the 17, who knows, time will tell! I was calling for a hooker before the season started but Brown and Bishop have both played there and played well. Bishop looks really threatening coming from the bench. I'm sure Sa'u will play most, if not all games, he's probably one of the fittest players in the squad. He picked up a knock against Worky and still played 70 odd mins at Hunslet and only came off when the game was won.

The club have just announced the signing of Australian forward Mitch Revell, arriving in the UK from France on 16th April. From the small video released he looks like a mobile forward that can play anywhere in the middle. It'll be interesting to see where he slots in with our forwards going so well at the start of the season. Welcome to the club and well done to everyone involved in bringing him over!

Keighley have just announced the signing of Mitch Revell. Aussie forward who has played a bit of Queensland cup and is currently playing in France.

Knew I'd seen the name somewhere before. Keighley have signed Mitch Revell for the remainder of 2024. Anyone know if he's any good and how he went in France?

Got to agree that I didn't see that scoreline coming, especially after the first 10 minutes. Once we'd got through that and realised how the game was being reffed, it was pure domination. It was pleasing to see such a well rounded performance.

Both squads are up on the Our League app. No Cas players for Newcastle from what i can see but a few from York Worky: Bradley, Charlton, Croston, Forber, Henson, Hutton, Key, Lepori, Lightowler, Marwood, McNicholas, Mossop, Reid, Sammut, Scholey, Taylor, Taylor, Thomson, Tyrer, Walker, Walton

First away game of the season tomorrow and another visit to South Leeds for us. Plenty of ex Cougars and familiar faces. Looking at our squad we won't be far off full strength. Hopefully Junior Sa'u can recover from his dead leg and feature. If so I presume we will be unchanged (barring any other injuries) It always seems to be a tough and quite low scoring game at their spot, hopefully we can continue to improve and come away with the 2 points!

Yep fair play to the lads that turned out. Obviously you were well down on numbers but I think the lads who played never gave up. I'm sure you'll get bodies back and maybe new players in and will win more than you lose this season.

I suspect the coaching team had seen a weakness on their right edge and we looked to exploit it. You can't say it didn't work, Sa'u scored twice and Robson once. If teams do load that side defensively then you shift the ball the other way where you have numbers and take advantage that way. I thought Thomas had a good game in fairness to him, maybe not MOM but I can't remember any errors from him. The only down side is the injury to Sa'u with a dead leg and the quick turn around this week. Hopefully he can recover in time.

Was Brown saying Wanga Blake all night? Is that how you pronounce it?

It will definitely be more of a test but one we have to be winning if we are genuine contenders at the top. We played well in patches and scored easily when on it against Cornwall. A much more rounded performance will be required against Workington, we can't have Oscar Thomas throwing balls into touch every other set. I'm pleased with where we are too. I'm not convinced that Oscar Thomas is the answer at Stand Off, I'd rather see Ben Dean play who seemed to impress everyone in pre season. Like I mentioned before though I do think Bishop will move there once he can play 80 mins. I do think we will be a better side when the pitch dries up, but doesn't every side say that

Workington at home this week. Hopefully no injuries to report from last week, I think Matt said in his post match interview that there was no immediate worries so hopefully that is the case. Reading the Workington forum it looks like they have a number of injuries and maybe coming to Cougar Park with a depleted squad. That said, you don't often get a Cumbrian side roll over so I fully expect Sunday to be a tough and physical encounter. Oldham put them to the sword last week on their own patch so it'll be interesting to see how things play out. Fingers crossed for some dry weather to help the pitch recover, it was a mud bath against Cornwall and with further rain this week it'll be fairly similar I imagine. Team wise, I expect we will be unchanged if there are no injuries. It'll be interesting to see the dynamics of the 9 and 13 as the season progresses. Brown started at 9 but we effectively had Kes and Bishop playing 9 from the bench. I can't see us running with 3 9s all season and suspect Bishop may end up in the halves. Let's wait an see.

I'll watch all 3 then go to South Leeds to watch a proper game. Hunslet V Keighley - 7:30pm kick off

I was wondering where he was the other day. Sky used him as one of the pictures on a advert. If he's not getting a game at Saints then surely he can play SL with London, Cas, Hull FC etc and show his worth? It seems a total waste.

Cornwall were OK but I think it was fair to say they were beat after 20 minutes when the score was 22-0. I don't think they ever gave in though and this was only their second hit out after their defeat to York Acorn in the CC, so there might be more to come. I think the pitch was a leveller in some respects, and on another Keighley could have posted 80 points. Cornwall suffered an injury to their half back that required surgery and 15 stitches so I don't think he will be available for a while. They also had another play sin binned for dissent, not sure if that would warrant a ban or not but either way he'd be available this week. I'd expect Crusaders to beat Cornwall comfortably.

Strength in depth is a slight concern of mine too. We do have numbers (Stead, Lynam, Conroy, Bailey, Copland, Lambourne, Downey, DFJ) but it's hard to argue that there isn't a drop off in quality, but that will be the same for all sides who have injuries and suspensions. There's only one been one league game though and I'm sure the club will look to strengthen as the season goes on if and when players become available. Bishop did look promising. It'll be interesting to see where he plays when he has more match fitness. I can't see us carrying 2 hookers on the bench. Personally I'd have Bishop in the halves with Miller and drop Thomas. I thought Thomas was wasteful yesterday and don't think he's strong enough defensively.

We were good at the start of both halves for 20mins or so. I think the pitch was a bit of a leveller so I'm not concerned at all. The team might pick itself at the moment, but I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. Consistency is what is required and this is a new team that needs minutes together. Next week will definitely be a sterner test, hopefully the pitch has chance to recover this week and the weather holds off a little.