I don’t think they should be looking to carry cover in the back line they need to throw all their eggs in one basket and ‘front load’ the pack as many big bodies and play with the aim once more to dominate the middle of the field. I’d be all for Tindall taking Tom briscoes place after most of his performances but if you’re going to do it, do it from the off to give him a real message about the standard required that he’s not meeting. Don’t be changing 3/4s during a game.

I’m not convinced O’Connors passing isn’t better than Dwyer’s.. can kick a goal too, assume he could put in the odd dink behind the line on last plays. I cannot fathom why we cannot seem to find a single full-time professional rugby player who can’t put in a simple kick.

Anyway, I’d give the lad a go probably at 7 or 9 for this one, on the basis that we can’t be much worse offensively and he has a real engine in D.

Yeah but we don’t have any other big bodies as far as I’m aware - unless we play an academy lad like AJ Wallace.

Problem for me is that T Briscoe in particular will get picked no matter what his form is. I’ve been a supporter of his on this board but I don’t think he’s been great this year so far.

So A Sutcliffe ruled out with knee injury as per YEP but L Sutcliffe a good chance.

I know there’s a few out in that regard though at least put Walters and Gannon in over having a winger on the bench

Oledzski Dwyer Vuniyayawa
Martin Mellor (Walters if mellor at centre)
Prior

Thompson
Walters
Donaldson
Gannon

Pick a hooker and run with them for 80, the rotation isn’t going well. Or put them both on together and run an alternative game plan reflecting the lack of pivots. The absolute priority is a strong physical presence and response after last week with discipline and errors massively improved, only then can finer details be addressed.

Tom wasn`t great the year before either with Luke the better of the two.
The fact he got a 2 year deal is beyond belief.
Both the Briscoes are not good enough with maybe Luke just edging it as a back up in case of injuries.

If Liam is fit he will play in the halves alongside Eastmond.
So don`t expect much from our half backs this Sunday then.
Broadbent
Tom Briscoe even though it should be Luke.
Hurrell
Mellor
Handley
Sutcliffe
Eastmond
Mik
Leeming
Prior
Walters
Martin
O`Connor

Dwyer
King
Thompson
Donaldson

Something like this won’t be far off. I just want them to throw the shackles off and chuck any hopes of structure out the window (‘square pegs round holes’ and all that).

Interested to know what agars method of addressing the low energy he says he identified early last week in training and hope he’s found a better method this week.

Handley
Briscoe
Hurrell
Broadbent
Briscoe
Sutcliffe
Eastmond
Oledzki
Leeming
Prior
Mellor
Martin
Donaldson


Dwyer
Thompson
Walters
Vuniyayawa

As much as it disappoints me, I wouldn’t be surprised if this correct given the news A Sutcliffe highly unlikely to play and Liam is. Handley at full back just doesn’t sit well with me.

Others from 21 I reckon will be Edwards, Gannon, O'Connor and Hall.

how many training sessions before sunday ? probably lose another 3

I don't like Handley at fullback but with A Sutcliffe out then Broadbent is the obvious choice at centre.

I’d rather see Broadbent at fb and mellor centre and either briscoe making way for various reasons. Play your better players (Handley) in their strongest positions giving the limited halves some strike to aim for.

I hear you but with Handley at fullback and Broadbent at centre there is only Handley out of position. Broadbent deserves a chance in his favoured position. Also Handley surely can't be as bad as he was last week.

Less pressure on the FB if the defensive line is in order.

Definitely an argument to play Broadbent at left centre. Hasn’t really put a foot wrong unlike some others.

I still feel one or two more senior players should be stood down for a week, based on form so far this season. Sure there are reasons for it but it’s hurting the team.

I dont think we have the luxury to stand down one or two with our injury and suspension list.Idealy i would stand down T Briscoe and Martin but who is then going to kick the goals.Lets get some bodies back then we can rest a few.

Eastmond's a great goal kicker, and I think would be good for him...

I know what you mean though the position Broadbent has done relatively well in (albeit not where his future is, and granted i want to see him at centre all things being equal) has been fullback, more than can be said for Handleys game there. Also a key role for a fb is their communication and Broadbent has been widely commended in this area. Our defensive line needs a strong voice directing them from FB on the evidence of last week. We will see what happens but i believe with Handleys shaky return after a long time out would benefit from familiarity as well.

cant disagree with any of that.It will be interesting to see what back line Agar opts for.

Get what you’re saying mate but on the evidence this year, a youngster in place of Martin for example is just a flat upgrade to the team.

I thought Martin went really well for us in his first year, but he looks nowhere near the player who scorched down the middle of Saints to score that great try.

I don’t know what other niggles players might be carrying but one thing we can be guilty of as a club is selecting on name rather than form.

Rest - they have 4/5 games - surely that hasn't worn out a professional athlete?

Martin is one who i think we all agree looks like he needs a rest possibly still having effects of covid.Our starting props have been playing big minutes so yes if we can get a view bodies back then yes i thnk some do need a week off.

Martin isnt in need of a rest. He had a rest last week after being dragged off early and not put back on til 5 mins from end.

Hes not fit enough, hes never done much for us and he needs to get his head down and graft. If he doesnt, get rid as soon as his deal ends. I feel certain staff members are losing patience with him and are hoping last weeks subbing was a kick up the rear he needs. He was told last year he wasnt in shape and hes no better now.


As i said yesterday we need more from our overseas players. Prior and Tetevano apart rest need to start showing more.

Given the fact that Martin was hauled off after 20 mins he must be a strong candidate to be replaced by Walters this week. T Briscoe's continued wobbles surely merit some time out of the firing line and I would move Handley back to the wing with Luke Briscoe
on the other. Whilst Broadbent looks a natural centre he still looks to be the best option at full back in the absence of Myler and Walker. All this raises the dreaded prospect of L Sutcliffe back in the halves, but needs must etc. We really are running on fumes at present.

I thought Broadbent was at fault for 2 Wigan tries where the ball was kicked through and he was up just behind the defensive line, one if not both were ob the last kick.