Exciting times to see the young lads like s ward coming through and good on the coach, seems to be doing a good job of introducing the lads slowly

I'd go see a doctor if you're ing that much in one morning



As for Ward, if the coach thinks he is good enough for Saints then so be it. I haven't won a Grand Final and World Club Challenge or gotten to a cup final as a coach, but Big Bri has so who are we to judge? I also think it could be a great move too. Saints won't have expected Ward to play any part this week and will have been working on how to shut down our strike players in Mags and Robbie. Now with their indifferent start to the season and their organisational skills been a bit shoddy at present throwing Ward into the mix could put the cat amongst the pigeons. They won't know how he plays or what he is expected to do.

Be fair, I did get up at 5:00 am to be in gym for before 6:00.




I don't dissagree with any of that. I just question the naivety that you honestly think he will play any more than a 10 minute part in the game. I hope you turn out to be correct.

Fully agree with you. I think Saints weakness will be in the pack and so if our forwards can set the platform could be ideal for young Wardy

Anyway, we'll find out in about 25 minutes wont we when the teams are released for the weekend? Or have I made that up

With all due respect to Widnes, what exactly would you have learned about Stevie Ward by playing him in a game where the team is expected to be dominant and win by 40 plus points?

I don't expect to see him get more than 20 minutes or so if he does play on Sunday, but it will be interesting to see how he goes in a hostile environment against good players.

1. Brent Webb
2. Ben Jones-Bishop
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Zak Hardaker
5. Ryan Hall
6. Danny McGuire
7. Rob Burrow
8. Kylie Leuluai
10. Jamie Peacock
12. Carl Ablett
13. Kevin Sinfield (c)
14. Lee Smith
15. Brett Delaney
17. Ian Kirke
18. Chris Clarkson
20. Darrell Griffin
21. Richard Moore
24. Liam Hood
25. Stevie Ward

Smith and one of Kirke/Moore or Clarkson to drop out I think.

Oh I'm sure Kirke will get his customary spot in the 17 ( Pitts will be finding it hard to swallow .... Please refrain from commenting Bloodbath

)

Smith and Moore will miss out.

3 appearances off the bench so far this season would suggest Kirke's spot in the 17 is far from "customary".

If Ward does make his debut, then I'd suggest Hood and Smith will be the one's to miss out.

You would see if the lad is capable of playing to SL level and be more confident that any nerves/mistakes have
less of a chance of costing the game.

That said I have no problem with him making his debut against Saints.

I'd go with..
Webb
BjB
Watkins
Hardaker
Hall
Ward
Mcguire
Leului
Burrow
JP
Delaney
Ablett
Sinfield

Griffin
Moore
Clarkson
Hood.

Great minds think alike

..... But we all know Sinfield will not be shifted from SO.
I would probably start Clarkson though with Delaney on the bench.

Unless I've gone blind.. [urlhttp://www.therhinos.co.uk/news/18980.php[/url suggests McGuire is not playing

Hood's not playing this wknd. I think smith will also drop out other wise we would be very light on the bench, unless there is an injury doubt on one of the backs

We also might see Sir Kev at hooker at some point.

You are correct. 19 players there and McGuire not listed.

This has been changed since originally listed on the Rhinos site - McShane for McGuire.

An original typo? Or is McGuire ill?

thats a shame mcguire has been playing really well

burrow back to 7 and hood to 9?

With no McGuire could we see?
6. Ward
7. Burrow
9.McShane
13. Sinfield

Is ward making his debut because they knew McGuire was not playing all week?

It's a bit odd. The 19 I posted earlier was cut and pasted from the official site, but it's changed now with McShane for McGuire.

Sky have got danny still in the 19. Theres no comment on the official site. Very confusing.

Interesting decision for Brian McD. Does he start Burrow at 7 with McShane/Hood at 9 and Ward on bench? Or does he make it simple and start Ward at 7 with Burrow at 9 as usual? I favour the latter.

I have a feeling he will rest Hood and start McShane. Leaving Smith also to drop out if Webb is fully recovered.