Bad day at the office 0-60 loss. Realistically the best case scenario is a gutsy 10-28 loss.

of course not. but if we put in a decent performance and lose by say less than 12 then I'd expect people to give team some credit given the circumstances. Sadly theres an element that just prefer to put the boot in irrespective of the on-field performance and any mitigating factors.

You're right, I've got my dates mixed up.

However, not expecting a win, but I would hope the team puts in a good performance

realism is required for this game. Warrington are a fair way ahead of the bulls at the minute and will be looking to bounce back. We have just had a mentally draining derby, followed by a trip to france which will take its toll. given the injuries and young squad, expecting a victory is a little unfair imo

I would like to see a Bulls win but can't see it happening. If we play some good rugby and defend well i'd look at 14 - 28 Wire

I dont like saying it but i reckon were in for a spanking, 66-10 to Warrington.

Royston
Ainscough!!
Platt
Ah Van
Raynor
Briggs
Herbert
Hargreaves
Lestrange
Lynch
Whitehead
Elima
Bateman

Bench: Burgess, Donaldson, Koppy, Diskin

1, Royston
2. Ainscough
3. Platt
4. Walker
5. Ah Van
6. I'd like to see Briggs but it will be Sykes
7. Herbert
8. Lynch
9. L'Estrange
10. Kopczak
11. Elima
12. Olbison
13. Donaldson

Bench - Hargreaves, Diskin, Whitehead, Burgess (If fit) or Bateman

1. Royston
2. Ainscough
3. Platt
4. Sykes
5. Ah Van
6. Herbert
7. L'Estrange
8. Hargreaves
9. Diskin
10. Lynch
11. Elima
12. Walker
13. Bateman

14. Kopzcak
15. Whitehead
16. Burgess
17. Donaldson

1. Royston
2. Ainscough
3. Platt
4. Sykes
5. Ah Van
6. Herbert
7. Southernwood
8. Hargreaves
9. Diskin
10. Lynch
11. Elima
12. Walker
13. Whitehead

14. Kopzcak
15. Stranger
16. Burgess
17. Donaldson

I don't think that Warrington losing to Hull on Monday does us any favours.

Last time they slipped to a surprise loss - against Catalans - they bounced back to smash Crusaders and Salford. Wouldn't be surprised to see them bounce back on Sunday....sadly



Looks like the best time to play Wire is when they feel over confident after a couple of big wins. Just our luck to be playing them when they'll have had a massive kick up the pants then...

Based on what you've seen in u20's do you think he's physical enough yet that we could risk him against a big wire pack, given our packs a bit lightweight at moment and maybe not able to offer him much protection? WE could certainly use his skills in halves and herbert does look more of a 6 than a 7.

TBH I don't see where this he's not physically ready comes from it's not as he's tiny IMO he fully deserves a chance on the bigger stage. IMO a game like is the perfect game everyone expects us to be mullered so it will help for the more winnable games.

from what I remember of his stats last year he was approx same height as burrow but built a lot lighter (about 20kg IIRC). Has he filled out a bit this year?

My only worry putting him in against wire with both langley and scruton missing is their pack is likely to run over ours a bit and not give him any space to work in. While I agree if he comes in and has a good game it would really help our options ging forwards the flip side is if he comes in and has a mullering it could knock his confidence back a bit.

From what I've seen on u20s highlights he certainly looks like he could be ready to step up but you've seen a lot more of him so are in a better position to judge.

Wire win. By lots unfortunately.
But as long as we put up a good show, then everyone will be happy won't they.

He deserves his chance now if he doesn't get it Potter must have issues with him too as performance wise the 20's he's doing all that he can.

Royston
Ainscough/Raynor
Platt
Walker
Ah Van
Sykes
Herbert
Lynch
Diskin
Koppy
Elima
Donaldson
Bateman

L'Estrange
Olbison
Burgess (If Fit)/Crossley
Hargreaves

I sadly will not be attending because I will be watching my cousins team play in a cup final at Featherstone's ground

Read the Hull site before the game, almost identical to this thread.

We'll give it a go I think but still come up a bit short.

Either that or Wire by 50. A frightening prospect if we're bad and they're good.

It is hard to predict anything other than a defeat for this game in all honesty. With just Herbert at halfback and no recognised stand off we will struggle to score points against Wire. Our defence is among the worst in the league so far and Wire have scored more points than any other side in SL.

I'd like to be more positive ... but I can't see anything other than a Wire win.

IF the Bulls can complete their sets AND defend out wide (and they haven't managed both much this year0 it'll be close BUT otherwise ...

On a more positive note, there have been more unexpected scores than a Bulls win in SL this season!

I'd be tempted to give Southernwood a shot given he's been playing well in the U20s. He's much taller than Burrow BTW.

your right having checked theire wikis (assuming their up to date) I can remember the context of the original comments that were made last year when southernwood wasnt getting a game. The comment last year was that Southernwood was the same weight as Burrow despite being 5" taller, hence him being a bit lightweight. Comment from Bulls at time(Medley I think) was that they wanted to keep him in academy until he'd bulked up a bit. Again assuming wiki info is correct then it looks like he's done that.

If Potter still has a problem with Briggs then this could be a good game to give Southernwood a go. I would say Fax game, but IMO thats a big risk as its a game we really can't afford to experiment in. Give either Southernwood or Briggs a go this week and if they go ok then stick with them for the fax game.

At the Salford game I did think he looked bigger than I'd been led to believe by peoples comments (and Potters preseason comment). I've seen 2 or 3 u20s games and Southernwood has looked pretty good in them.