Ashley Gibson has played hooker for England !

2006 Federation Shield Final defeat of Tonga at Widnes.

Who knows. He may have a knock, or there may be a strategy to limit his game time a bit while he develops. Given our record developing young players, I think I trust the club's judgement on this.

I think that McShane may be injured, my (somewhat hazy) recollection of Sunday's game is that he played very little if at all in the second half, suggesting bthat he may have picked up a knock in the 1st half.
Others there may be able to put me right on this.

The fact that he has been passed by the medical team to play again would suggest that the "recovery" is over.

I didn't go on sunday but if that is the case then despite the weak team plus Peacock and no hooker for most of the game makes it look a very good result.

It was a very good result - just as the Hull KR win was - and if the coaching staff are choosing to bring McShane on steadily then I am happy enough with that. Don't want to burn the kid out when he looks such an outstanding prospect.

Having said that the Riddell/McIlorum tag-team might have an advantage over Diskin and erm ....whoever.

Just when is Buderus likely to be back ? For the Cup I hope.

I also trust the clubs judgement and don't want to see our young one's burnt out without cause. Disko has been our sole hooker, aside from kev in 2005, for 6 years now and he has coped with roby and cunningham so I don't forsee a problem there on friday.

Has Superman had a game in the reserves? Isn't that usually the protocol before SL after a long injury?

Thank goodness none of the amateur teams I played for had that in their training regimes.

I haven't been able to bend over since 1996.

Giver not a taker eh!

You know the answer already sugar plumb.

If he was still recovering from back surgery, he wouldn't be playing. If he can't bend down at dummy half now and again then he's going to have a problem.

I'd go with:

1. Webb
5. Hall
3. Smith
23. Watkins
2. Donald
6. McGuire
7. Burrow
8. Leulaui
14. Diskin
16. Bailey
11. JJB
18. Ablett
13. Sinfield

10. Peacock
12. Lauitiiti
17. Kirke
26. McShane

I still think Gibson looked the more composed of the two centres at Warrington, so dont see a reason to drop.

and McShane isn't in the 19

Yes, missed that one. That does seem tad unfair too, although maybe that is just keeping him level headed. Personally I would have thought Wigan was the ideal game for needed two hookers, but maybe a different game plan.

I guess that him, allan, and watkins will receive their game time in bursts where possible so that they don't break, or get fatigued, or get a massive ego

If they start Fekka we should gameplan to run straight at him for the 1st twenty. We'll have a lot of joy. Have you seen how fat he has got?

I predict his first stint will have one barnstorming carry (cue Eddie's self abuse) followed by much huffing and puffing and a general avoidance of any defensive duties.

I know a fatty when i see one (every day) and here's a photo of Fekka sunbathing earlier this week.

LOL

I thought I heard someone in the bushes but couldn't be certain.

It's Damo's buddah

Its a smokescreen

Webb and Peacock to drop out of the 19

is that a guess?

Aaaaarrrghhhh! How can anyone advocate a starting centre spot for Ablett....?? What is wrong with Gibson ? He should start alongside Watkins in centre spots. Ablett on bench with Bailey or Kirke missing out. Feel sorry for McShane.

Webb will start on the bench with Watkins starting in Centre role, Watkins and Webb interchanging with Smith coming into centre when Webbs in full back. Gibson to be on the bench as cover for Diskin (just in case it is needed) and to cover centre, full back and wing if needed.

We have Jonesy and Sinfield there as hooking cover. I doubt we'll see Gibson this weekend.