SCRUM POSITIONS ON OFFER

Queensland coach Mark McBain has admitted his most important scrum roles were up for grabs before the Reds begin their Vodafone Super 12 campaign next month.

The front row looms as the hazy area for the Reds, who are among the favourites for the provincial competition after storming into last season`s semi-finals.

While Wallaby incumbent Nick Stiles is assured of his loosehead prop role, Queensland selectors must settle on a hooker and tighthead prop.

Former Wallaby Fletcher Dyson, whose 2001 season was wrecked by injury, international Glenn Panoho and fringe prop Simon Kerr loom as the tighthead contenders.

The hooking role will be fought between Sean Hardman, ACT Brumbies recruit Tom Murphy and squad member Tim Tavalea following the retirement of Wallaby No.2 Michael Foley.

McBain insisted there were no guarantees, leaving selectors with just three trial matches to settle on their combination for the opening Super 12 clash with the Brumbies on February 23.

"It`s certainly not cut and dried in several positions but that doesn`t mean to say the team that plays in the first match will be the one that goes through the whole competition," McBain said.

"No one has been promised a spot and we`ll just see what happens in this next month.

"But the selection issues will come down the track because we`re still concentrating on getting ready to play."

The Reds will play their first trial match in two weeks from Friday - against a combined local Brisbane team - before travelling to New Zealand for matches against Auckland and Canterbury.

The Queensland B team has four trial matches planned before the Super 12, leaving McBain satisfied that he has enough time to prepare his 38-man squad.

McBain`s Wallaby contingent, including centre Daniel Herbert, are on track for the season-opener and the Reds have been kept safe by bookmakers.

The New Zealand TAB has installed Queensland equal fourth favourite at 8-1 behind the Brumbies (5-2), Crusaders (5-1) and Sharks (6-1).

McBain said the Reds were more advanced this season compared to the same time last year, when the former Wallaby hooker had taken the reins from longtime coach John Connolly.

"We`re all saying that we`re a long way in front and we haven`t got problems with players unavailable to train like last year," McBain said.

While selectors watch the front row, most eyes will be on Wendell Sailor as he prepares for his first Super 12 season after switching from rugby league.

The former Kangaroo winger will play only 20 minutes of the opening trial to limit the chances of injury before the Brisbane leg of the World Sevens series on the following two days.

McBain has been happy with Sailor`s progress at training, where he is working on his kicking as well as his union skills.