If we win then it doesnt matter who bluey plays it will have been the right decision(s). Personally i would pick clarkson and burrow and leave out kirke and donald especially as Ambler seems to be out of favour for whatever reason as i think he has played well this season.

Couldn't agree more, excellent observation. The whole team looks better with the three playmakers back in their natural role. Burrow was man of the match last week at Cas and I thought he played very well Friday night. He frustrated the hell out of Carlaw in defence. Was funny to watch.

Not only has McGuire's game improved out of sight since Burrow's return but Senior looks a lot safe defensively. Much more cohesive with our number 7 back. He's a crucial player for us.

As for Clarkson, I simply don't see how you can leave out a lad who puts in 30+ tackles and 70 plus minutes each weeek.

I'm sure the Wire players would be over the moon if Burrow was omitted.

McGuire has been the stand out Rhinos player all year - Burrow or no Burrow, the quality of his performance has little to do with Burrow's inclusion it more about his own attitude and game opportunities.

I would play Burrow but the play leading up to the play when Catalans scored and the play for the try suggests Burrow wasn't quite as good or committed as you have suggested IMO

When you say "back line" you of course mean McGuire

...He more than any other (maybe Senior) is going to be our main strike weapon in the backs especially as it looks as though Donald might be just a 'reserve' now until the end of the season.

I do agree with you that Diskin has to make way for a big bench of Eastwood, Ali, Ablett and Kirke. Not sure that will happen though.

Ablett in for Kirke IMO. No reason to drop Clarkson.

Can't see Donald getting in the way Smith played on Friday.

For me Clarkson does too much work to even consider dropping him, forget Kirke's size, Clarkson will make more tackles and more yards forward than Kirke.

Totally agree.

Agree also - but I will feel a bit sorry for Kirke. He has both improved and put in the effort. The tackle the other week at Cas really was I want to play in the cup final effort

Blueys chat to sky today was based around 2nd rowers who can play in the front 3 so maybe Clarkson might be the odd man out???

If BM is considering 2nd rowers for prop i have concerns about Baileys fitness.That would leave Leuluai and say an unfit Eastwood to start with Kirke and JJB/Ali as interchange props.We look very light in the front row if that's the case.
I don't think Clarkson will miss out.

Not sure if this has been posted, but if not there's a good article in the Guardian about Clarkson.

Nothing new like, just a good ready about the lad and his bricklaying work!

[url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/aug/23/leeds-challenge-cup-final-chris-clarksonChris Clarkson to hang up trowel after Wembley fairytale with Leeds[/url

Think he could miss out, we will need Kirke and JJB to do spells at prop. Keep the impact of Ali and Eastwood so no place for young Chris, his time will come

If he does miss out his 30 tackles per match will need to be done by someone else and none of the players you mention come anywhere near that. Eastwood and Ali would have to do triple their usual defensive work rate.

He (Clarkson) simply HAS to play, IMO and the players who should be sweating most are Kirke (patchy form) and Ablett (suspension).

You're absolutely right, but I can see McLennan (in the absence of Peacock and Burgess) feeling that he needs to have some size on the bench and for that reason alone Clarkson may miss out.

There's logic in that. However, I'm not so sure he won't go for a more mobile defence against a team that move the ball around like warrington. I reckon Clarkson'll get the nod.

size dodn't stop graham eccles tackling the big men & it won't stop chris clarkson , hope he plays

Clarkson has to play for his outstanding tackling, stamina, cover for several positions and not forgetting he gets in poistion to score important tries.

I personally think Clarkson should play and for me Kirke has more plus points at prop as cover than the semi fit duo of Ali and Eastwood.

For me I would choose Ali within the 17 to come off the bench and unfortunate as it is Eastwood would miss out simply due to the fact he is unlikely to be 100%.

Ablett to miss out for me.

I agree with others about Clarkson and the need to keep Kirke as an interchange prop.

Anyway......posession is 9/10ths of the law so they say and the current 17 have done nothing wrong in Ablett's absence so as unfortunate as it would be for Carl and no matter how good a player he is for us i'd be disapointed if Clarkson was dropped for Ablett.

If Clarkson,Kirke and Ablett ARE all selected in the 17 then for me that would mean Diskin dropping out which would likely cause a stir on here

Ablett to miss out for me as well

Diskin wont miss out as McClennan plans around an interchange hooker and I do think the rest if gives Buderus is worth it.

Especially if the Wolves tacklers target Buderus' knee which I fully expect them to do.

Regards

Daryl Powell (2003)

Yet our results have picked up since he came back have they not?