Leeds with a decent record of scoring lots of points against Widnes in recent years, Widnes playing their 3rd game in 8 days, and playing terribly, Leeds with a couple of players back after a improved performance last week... So I think it's safe to say Widnes will win by 4 points

Kirke doesn't fancy it most weeks.

But from what he said earlier in week (see below) looks like he may be wearing 2 pairs of his heavy denier tights.

“I am not a big fan of their rubber pitch,” he admitted. “But we’ve got to play on it and they have to play on it every other week, so it is just one of those things."

Bless.

Did anyone read about that competition for the sports nutrition company that took place early this week, or last?

Kirke represented Rugby League in a series of challenges. Against a weight lifter, a gymnast, and several other sports.

He came last. However, he was happy with his performance.

JJB and Aiton return this week.

But Kirke had the bestest quadmass and diet.

Good to see Aiton back, think he will be a key player for us during the run in.

Hopefully JJB is not being rushed back.He should also be made to earn his place in the starting 13 too as before his injury he wasnt at his best and made a few bad calls in defence. I'm sure he will be straight back in though.

2. Ben Jones-Bishop
20. Tom Briscoe
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Joel Moon
5. Ryan Hall
13. Kevin Sinfield
6. Danny McGuire
8. Kylie Leuluai
29. Robbie Ward
10. Jamie Peacock
11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan
12. Carl Ablett
15. Brett Delaney

9. Paul Aiton
16. Ryan Bailey
21. Liam Sutcliffe
23. Brad Singleton

I'm looking forward to seeing Aiton back. I've been really impressed by Robbie Ward though. I hope he continues to be involved (not necessarily every week) as the season goes on.

Definitely think Robbie Ward should keep his place at least until Burrow is back

Nice surprise to see Aiton back hopefully he can kick on now without any interuptions.
As for Jjb I wouldn't start him anyway nowadays my BR when every ones fit would be Achurch ,Abblett and Delaney.
Also id definitely retain R.Ward in the 17.

Only my opinion, but I was more impressed with Briscoe than Ward last week, and if an experienced hooker is back like Aiton, would have been glad to have seen him have another shot at the side. Just to see if there is something there.

Yeah R.Ward has to stay in until Burrow returns really, unnecessary to run with only one hooker especially one whose not played for around 3 months. Think Walters might as well get a crack to start (same situation JJB shouldn't be asked to start from a long lay off). Still tempted to rest Sinfield for this one, if not I can't see a place for Sutcliffe in the 17 if McGuire is fit.

BJB
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
Sutcliffe/Sinfield
McGuire
Singleton
R.Ward
Peacock
Ablett
Walters
Delaney

Bailey
Leuluai
Aiton
JJB

Missing out - Kirke and one of Sutcliffe/Sinfield

I'd go with:
1. Jones-Bishop
2. Briscoe
3. Watkins
4. Moon
5. Hall
6. Sinfield
7. McGuire
8. Leuluai
9. Ward, R
10. Peacock
11. Ablett
12. Walters
13. Delaney

14. Sutcliffe
15. Aiton
16. Singleton
17. JJB

I don't think JJB should be brought straight back. From what I've read, he's hardly done any running in training or contact work. We saw last year the detrimental effect of bringing people back early.

I'd also like to see Kylie given a rest and Singleton the chance to start. He seems to do better when he's in the run on team and at some point we need to start preparing for the loss of Kylie and JP.

Walters has earned the opportunity of a start after his performances since he came in.

Bish
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
McGuire
Sinfield
Singleton
Ward
Peacock
Ablett
Walters
Delaney

Kirke
Bailey
Aiton
Sutcliffe

Both Peacock and Leuluai get rested.

BJB
Briscoe
Watkins
Moon
Hall
Sinfield
McGuire
Bailey
R.Ward
Singleton
Ablett
Delaney
Sutcliffe

Kirke
Walters
JJB
Aiton

Ridiculous decision with some of the pee-easy games coming up.

The way we are playing at the moment, these so called "pee-easy" games are potential banana skins.

Not as much as today's. Unless they're injured we should have had a full team out.

Top of the table is looking pretty interesting with Wigan losing to Wakey today, considering they play Saints next week too. Odds will be in Wigans favor for that I'd imagine, even with Saints win against Cas today. Assuming we win against Cats next week we'll go back top, aint that something.

Not really a bad decision. Widnes have played twice since we last did and took two beatings, the last one only on Wednesday. On the ipitch let's leave Peacock and Leuluai out and save them for the physical French next week. Going without your starting props equated to not the best performance but job was done and 2 points gained.

a great result today when you consider that we had jp and kylie rested plus we also had jjb,aiton and magsy back
both jjb and aiton came back well before intended so they all got some much needed game time

at times like this its not about the performance but more about getting the result and getting players back out on the field

i would be happy with an away win at widnes irrespective of their poor results recently

McDermott said Peacock had a bit of a twisted knee from last week and Leuluai a calf strain so not just rested but being cautious with like many have asked for. Both should be fine for next week.....also Achurch should be fine for next week too he added.

So just Burrow whose is only a couple of games away and Hardaker (3 more matches) are unavaibale now it seems. We weren't at our best today but another step back in the right direction and we've got plenty of weeks before the CC semi to keep going on an upward curve performance wise and hit a hot patch for then.

squad wise things are certainly looking very bright and all of the returnees should have had plenty of game time come semi final time

Quite right. The only sport men of their age should be playing on a carpet is bowls.

Some very poor stuff from Leeds, but once they got into a groove, Widnes had no chance.

Ryan Hall's hand-off is reaching legendary status.