I've never knows brown not to pick sia in the 13 unless he's returning from injury.

He's to good not to have out there for long spells. Sia is pure quality.

I agree with the last bit, but I wouldn't be shocked to see Sia on the bench that's all.

If wello Plays one game in the halves this year I'll be walking out. How the hell is he in the 19 man squad!

Haha I'm dreading see him and Hohaia on the bench on Thursday. That would seriously depress me.

For me, we should not have kept wello but we have to face up to the fact he's here but he should only play if we have dire injuries.

Hmm, None playing Captain perhaps.
Either Brown has use for him as a player, or he's not got the balls to sack him. It's my bet that Wello will be in the seventeen.

Ok there are a few permutations from that 19 and with the announcements regarding 6 it could mean anyone could play.

I think Richards will miss out, but I would not predict who else.

If Percival plays centre, then Turner could play opposite centre with Lance at 6 and yes Wellens on the bench with Jones and Wheeler missing out.

If Wheeler plays 6 Lance could be on the bench Wellens to miss out.

Percival may not play and Jones and Turner are the centres, with either Wheeler or Lance at 6 etc etc

The centres and 6 will determine whether Wellens starts or not. But I think Lance has to play 6 for Brown to be able to squeeze Wellens in.

For me I would go

Lomax
Swift
Turner
Percival
Makinson
Wheeler
Walsh
Amor
Roby
Laffranchi
Sia
Manu
Wilkin

Walmsley
Jones
Lance
LMS

It's not my perfect line up, but with Wilkin in the team, you have to play LMS as a front rower. If you drop Wilkin then Richards could pack down . But you have to have 2 props on the bench in this day and age. Can see Lance playing as an interchange hooker.

He shouldn't even be in the 19 with players like flash available.

Having looked at the different permutations available to Brown, I simply I cannot see a scenario that requires Wellens.

With it being round 1, I hope Brown makes a statement with regards to Wellens and leaves him out. I genuinely think that seeing him in the 17 will instantly put a negative mood amongst the fans before a ball is kicked.

And also give Warrington a big boost if they see him in our 17.

Considering Nathan Brown's comments here (www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/3791) I think it's fairly easy to predict the team. He says that "We have a pretty settled 13 with some tough choices to make on the bench,". That could suggest that Soliola will play off the bench like he did vs Wigan. Brown also says that Wheeler has 'come through three pre-season friendlies and a pre-season programme so he will get shot and hopefully things turn out for him' so that suggests he will play. 1. Lomax 2. Makinson 3. Turner 4. Jones 5. Swift 6. Wheeler 7. Walsh 8. Laffranchi 9. Roby 10. Amor 11. Soliola 12. Manu 13. Wikin 14. Hohaia 15. Walmsley 16. LMS 17. Richards 18. Wellens 19. Percival

Considering Nathan Brown's comments here (www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/3791) I think it's fairly easy to predict the team. He says that "We have a pretty settled 13 with some tough choices to make on the bench,". That could suggest that Soliola will play off the bench like he did vs Wigan. Brown also says that Wheeler has 'come through three pre-season friendlies and a pre-season programme so he will get shot and hopefully things turn out for him' so that suggests he will play. 1. Lomax 2. Makinson 3. Turner 4. Jones 5. Swift 6. Wheeler 7. Walsh 8. Laffranchi 9. Roby 10. Amor 11. Soliola 12. Manu 13. Wikin 14. Hohaia 15. Walmsley 16. LMS 17. Richards 18. Wellens 19. Percival

Quote ="Albion"Considering Nathan Brown's comments here (www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/3791) I think it's fairly easy to predict the team. He says that "We have a pretty settled 13 with some tough choices to make on the bench,". That could suggest that Soliola will play off the bench like he did vs Wigan. Brown also says that Wheeler has 'come through three pre-season friendlies and a pre-season programme so he will get shot and hopefully things turn out for him' so that suggests he will play. 1. Lomax 2. Makinson 3. Turner 4. Jones 5. Swift 6. Wheeler 7. Walsh 8. Laffranchi 9. Roby 10. Amor 11. Soliola 12. Manu 13. Wikin 14. Hohaia 15. Walmsley 16. LMS 17. Richards 18. Wellens 19. Percival'" I'd be happy with that.

Quote ="Albion"Considering Nathan Brown's comments here (www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/3791) I think it's fairly easy to predict the team. He says that "We have a pretty settled 13 with some tough choices to make on the bench,". That could suggest that Soliola will play off the bench like he did vs Wigan. Brown also says that Wheeler has 'come through three pre-season friendlies and a pre-season programme so he will get shot and hopefully things turn out for him' so that suggests he will play. 1. Lomax 2. Makinson 3. Turner 4. Jones 5. Swift 6. Wheeler 7. Walsh 8. Laffranchi 9. Roby 10. Amor 11. Soliola 12. Manu 13. Wikin 14. Hohaia 15. Walmsley 16. LMS 17. Richards 18. Wellens 19. Percival'" I'd be happy with that.

Richards is not good enough yet. Still only 18/19 and needs games vs the likes of London and loan time at Whithaven first.

Richards impressed against Wigan & is a big unit. We need that size off the bench, Flanagan massively unlucky to miss out to Wellens & Hohaia covers back row & hooker, hits hard & is an excellent defender. Jones obv in 17 covers most 3/4 positions so I don't understand both Hohaia & Wello's inclusion in that squad.

Could go with:
Lomax
Makinson
Turner
Percival
Swift
Wheeler
Walsh
Amor
Roby
Laffranchi
Jones
Manu
Wilkin

Hohaia
Soliola
LMS
Walmsley

Very true, I stand corrected haha! I was working under the assumption that he'll go with 5 props.

I believe the team is

Lomax
Makinson
Percival
Turner
Swift
Wheeler
Walsh
Amor
Roby
Walmsley
Manu
Wilkin
Lms

Wello
Jones
Sia
Laffranchi

Not the team I'd be going with. Bench looks week.

Not much size on the bench but excellent starting pack.

I really really don't see the point of Wellens on the bench, especially when Jones is there. Richards would be far more useful.

The bench looks light, but we're starting with 3 props to soak up the early physicality, perhaps. We've still got 4 props in the 17 and Sia is a beast off the bench. Just because Jones is lighter, it doesn't mean he won't make an impact if he comes on in the back row.
The selection of Wellens is baffling, however. Hoahaia, for all his faults, would be a better call, never mind the stack of forwards he's left out for him.

We look very light IMO.

It's disgusting that a faded fullback is being used as a utility when he can't play any position other than fullback. Looks like we going to be flogging robes again this year.

Wello on the bench, what a joke

All those good lads like Thompson, Walker and Greenwood, never mind the alleged rising star of Savelio and the proven grit of Flash, all sat in the stands for Wello.

This is madness! No, this is Saints!!

Assuming that the line up is correct, I'd assume that he has to be playing Sia as a 2nd prop.

Either that or LMS to move up to the front row when Walmsley goes off.

Not happy that Roby will have no interchange; unless the plan is to use Wellens for 20 minutes at hooker to give robes a rest before and after half time.