He didn't shepherd it dead and it was a try, the scoreboard says so. Who else is to blame for it? Yes he scored a 6 pointer but it merely cancelled out the one he gave Saints and thats what you'll get from Webb. If he plays he probably will do something good and create a try but he'll almost more certainly cost you a try and/or possession/momentum too so you're none the better for it on the scoreboard and you shouldn't excuse mistakes just because the final result when Leeds' way because one day it won't.

And lets remember he hasn't even played at 7 that much, just the odd occasion and we have a natural scrum half and natural hooker in Burrow and Lunt to play. Added to the fact he's only played about 30 mins in the last 9 weeks.

Your last point is probably the most relevant. Let's see how Webb goes vs. Catalans.

Webb did stuff up in last year's GF with the Makinson try, but otherwise had a very good game (including marshalling the defence on the line for multiple sets). He was also superb for the first half or so of the WCC, and started to make errors when we were again under all sorts of pressure in the second half. I'd expect any fullback - especially an inexperienced one like Hardaker - to make mistakes under that kind of pressure. I also can't recall Webb being petulant etc in a big game?

However, Webb is not a halfback. He doesn't play like a halfback in attack for the most part, has no kicking game and certainly doesn't (probably can't) defend in the line. There's a big difference between chiming into the line and seeking to make the odd play and running the plays more centrally.

If Webb plays at Wembley it should be fullback or on the bench. We have three halfbacks in the likely 17, one of whom has actually played hundreds of games at scrum half. If Hardaker is better at fullback right now, then I'd have Webb on the bench.

Unless we get injuries to 1-5 I don't think Webb should play.
I think Hardaker is the better bet at full back currently and as mentioned he doesn't play like a half back and we have other options for half back in Burrow or Ward. I don't particularly see much merit in him being on the bench either, I'd rather have an extra forward.

Webb on the bench is fine if selected IMO.

Don't forget Ablett and even Sinfield can be the additional interchange forward(s)

Agreed. With Ablett and Sinfield already in the backs, a backs injury leaves us with square pegs in round holes

Since when do teams have backs on the bench? Very rarely

I have heard that Stevie Ward will be at 6 at Wembley

They don't but they often have a pivot type player on there. There are normally options if a back is injured, like an Ablett. What im saying is that with Ablett & Sinfield already in there, we have less backs cover, and webb is effectively a player who could come on with some impact and would act as backs cover

Hot day at wembley its 4 forwards for me

Where did you hear this exactly?

Wembley is 10 days away, far too much can happen for that to be clear yet.

For me;
Zak
BJB
Watkins
Ablett
Hall
Sinny
Burrow
JP
Lunt
Kylie
Ward
Delaney
Bailey

JJB
Grif
Kirke
Webb

I actually expect Sinny Burrow and Ward to rotate a bit and Lunt to just keep things moving.

If I was picking the team I wouldn't even have JJB or Webb, they give away too many penalties and that could kill us if its a hot day but I think BM will try and keep it tight.

I think you either play Webb from the start or not at all, and at the moment I don't think he's a better prospect at fb or hb than our other options. I don't think you can waste a bench spot just in case a back might get injured though and I don't think it's worth the disruption just to bring Webb on. I reckon we have cover available if a back does get injured. If any of 1-5 gets injured then we can move around BJB, Watkins & Delaney to cover an injury there. If 6 or 7 get injured we've got either Ward or Burrow.

Assuming no other injuries I'd go with:

1. Hardaker
2. Jones-Bishop
3. Watkins
4. Ablett
5. Hall
6. Sinfield
7. Burrow
8. Leuluai
9. Lunt
10. Griffin
11. Delaney
12. Ward
13. Bailey

14. Moore
15. JJB
16. Peacock
17. Kirke

Good one John Kettley.



And if it isn't a hot day? That sounds like another judgement best made the day of the game to me.

Probably best leave predictions till after this weekend.

Any injury in the back 5 covered easily by Delaney even if its Hardaker at fullback.......Delaney to centre, Watkins to wing, BJB to fullback, sorted. If you don't have any injuries in the backs and Sinfield, Burrow and Lunt are going well how do you fit Webb on? For me Webb is either your starting FB or not at all and ATM Hardaker wins that position.

Bench - GRIFFIN (unlucky not to start instead but can't see McDermott not starting with Peacock and Leuluai)
KIRKE (gets the 4th prop spot ahead of Moore)
CLARKSON (Moore been playing better IMO but leaves us with too many props in the 17 and we'll need a second row/loose forward if Ward is needed in the halves)
WARD (tempted to start him at second row with JJB on the bench on current form but maybe better to keep him fresh if/when needed in the halves if Lunt needs resting)

You then have a versatile bench depending on the circumstances, it's both a 4 forwards bench and also a 3 forwards/1 half back bench if need be.

Burrow a doubt for Wembley now as well. Still not recovered from his calf injury

I'd translate as as "rested for this week" due to Mcguire already being out.

Let's hope so. Our chances of winning the cup have already reduced with no Danny. If Rob is missing as well then it doesn't bear thinking about

Indeed. Dead ball yes. Poor call from the video referee, IMO.

It was still an error by Webb though given he had the safer option available to him all along and he attempted (and not for the first time) the riskier way out albeit for understandable reasons.

Hopefully it should just be McGuire missing. What team do you think will be selected?

Hardaker
BJB Watkins Ablett Hall
Ward Sinfield
Leuluai Burrow Peacock
JJB Delaney
Bailey

Lunt Griffin Kirke Clarkson

McGuire, Webb, Hauraki, Keinhorst and Moore to miss out

to drop Keinhorst would be a brave call IMO

I personally would go..
Hardaker
Bjb
Watkins
Ablett
Hall
Sinfield
Burrow
JP
Lunt
Kylie
Jjb
Delaney
Ward

Griffin
Moore
Kirke
Keinhorst

No TMFMISL?

Keinhorst played very well last night but he has only made 3 substitute appearances, is it a season too early?!