Interesting one this. Saints will either be really up for it after the CC semi, or they’ll have the toughest encounter of the season and shattered. Six day turnaround too for saints so any head knocks they get will be ruled out v us.

It’s expected that we have Thompson, Smith and Holroyd back for this game, with a maybe against Handley, which is where the hard work starts for Agar.

Friday we looked like we could beat anyone playing like that, do we go with the same? I’ll be honest and say I think majority stays the same, the bench is the hardest picks, with Gannon playing out of his skin.

Myler
Briscoe Broadbent Hurrell Handley/Briscoe
Sutcliffe Gale
Oledzki Leeming Prior
Martin Mellor
Tetevano

Dwyer Vuniyayawa/Holroyd/Smith/Gannon/Donaldson/Thompson

I’d be keeping Gannon in all day long. Don’t want to over expose him but he’s in really good form. Possibly Smith coming in to the bench for Donno. Or depending on how fit he is taking the place of Mellor.

Its a case of who do you leave out rather than who is available.

leave in gannon

Stopping Lomax will be the key, but he plays so flat and is usually so good in situations where he doesn't have much time that it will be very difficult. He's such an underrated player, and is the best English half by a mile IMO.

I think we just need to get the balance right with Gannon.
On the one hand he should not be dropped nor should Donaldson imo.
On the other hand we don`t want to over play him like we did with Ward at an early age.

Couldnt agree more. No need to over play Gannon at his age as it will take its toll eventually. Nice and gradual with him will do him good long term.

Hes a phenomenal kid though.

Same side that beat Cas

fancy us for this, not just coz we beat Was, but we have been very close against saints for last few years and fallen just short, due a win.think we will get it.

Doesn't necessarily work like that. Some players can just absorb constant injuries, aka Peacock. Others go down, and stay down regularly. Mainly luck I think. You could wrap someone in cotton wool, and bam, one bad head collision or knee twist, or countless other bad injuries, career over...
I don't begrudge paying any of these lads well...!

I totally agree with Marty and Chapylad. As good as Gannon is performing and he certainly is I think the club have a care of duty to protect and nurse such a precious talent. If ever there was an example of doing the wrong think then look no further than Ward!
Rhinos have some young gems that will be stars of the future if handled correctly. I think Kev and Agar will not let it happen and we should all be patient.

Myler
Handley /L Briscoe
Hurrell
Broadbent
Briscoe
Sutcliffe
Gale
Oledzki
Leeming
Prior
Martin
Mellor
Tetevano

Dwyer
Vuniyayawa /Gannon /Walters /Donaldson /Thompson /O'Connor

Wonder if the rest will help or hinder us

It was 40-8 and 48-0 in the games last season wasn't it?

One thing in your favour this time is the scheduling, with Leeds off the back of a rest and Saints a semi final. I just hope it's cooled off by the weekend.

In the cup tie our pack dominated theirs and if not for Zane's red we might have seen them off with barely a back on the pitch. If we can maintain that dominance up front with a more balanced side we've got every chance.

They massively underestimated us that day.

They wont do so again. As long as we give them a game, Im happy.

Think we are probably going to need Lui fit and firing to give us a proper shot at Saints. That and a bit of luck.

Didn't think saints were all that hot in their last two. I reckon we're in with a shout if they don't step it up.

We'll be in with a chance most games the way our pack is shaping up. This is the first year in a long time where field position isn't really an issue. We're getting forward really well.

The rest should do us good, we are still a bit patched up and another couple of bodies coming back won't do any harm. Good benchmark game in a way - I think the Cas result was a bit of a one-off (although again I can't remember us giving another SL team a hiding for some time).

Will be interesting when the likes of Holroyd, Smith, A. Sutcliffe and Lui return who will be the casualties in the team.

Holroyd when fit will replace Vuniyayawa Lui will be back at 6 with Sutcliffe moving back to centre. Smith will probably make the 17. A Sutcliffe will only come back in if the injuries pile up.

Well, got an email saying i e been allocated a ticket for this as they did a second ballot!

I reckon that`s probably right which is a shame for Alex but maybe with him going to Cas it`s the logical outcome.
If Liam was going to Cas then maybe Alex would replace him at centre.

Call me old fashioned but I’d like to see a 17 including Oledzski, Prior, Tetevano, Holroyd and King.

I agree Seth. Go with your strengths. Whether Tommy is fully fit remains to be seen though.