Finally we play in the Purple Kit !!!

Would make sense with St Helens playing in white.

I know but looking forward to seeing it properly

Same 17 as last week but Briggs in for Sykes. Briggs and Herbert in the halves with BK to full back. Royston fills me with more confidence in defence than Sykes.

Looking forward to seeing Briggs play.

were you at Odsal last weekend? what does Sykes have to do to prove he can defend?!

Head says St's Heart Bradford. It will either be very close or a run away from St's

It's not so much his defence as his consistency that concerns me about Sykes. He played a great game on Sunday, but he never seems to be able to carry good form over from week to week

Kearney
Ainscough
Platt
Royston
Ah Van
Briggs
Herbert
Lynch
Diskin
Hargreaves
Olbsion
Elima
Langley

Whitehead
Kop
Scruton
L'Estrange

Would like to see this side step on out Friday night. Sykes did nothing wrong on Sunday but with the way Royston has been playing week in, week out I can't see him missing out.

Is Diskin's brother bringing his boots this week?! 

he never seems to play in the same position from week to week either. I'm not saying he is the best back or anything like that but a quiet display from someone does not always mean a bad display.

True. But if Briggs is fit, then I'd keep Royston as Ah Van's centre as I feel he's a little more solid than Sykes and put Kearney in at FB. I feel we'll look a much more dangerous attacking side as with Herbert, Briggs and Kearney on the field you've essentially got 3 half backs so it makes us that much harder to figure out.

If you look at the end of the Cas game when Orr went off, we shut down Chase and Cas didn't have any other options. If we're in a position where one of our halves is shut out of the game, we can still push forward with the other two.

My team, given everyone who was named in the 19 for last week is fit;

FB: Kearney
RW: Ainscough
RC: Platt
LC: Royston
LW: Ah Van
SO: Briggs
SH: Herbert
PR: Lynch
HK: Diskin
PR: Hargreaves
SR: Elima
SR: Whitehead
LF: Langley

Subs Scruton, Koppy, L'Estrange, Olbison

Yes please

Ditto!

As I've said elsewhere, it sends the wrong message to drop Sykes after he has a good game. Potter stated he would pick players on form, so what does it say if Sykes then performs very well and is left out?

I would expect to see the same 17 this week to be honest. I think it's up to Sykes (or someone else) to lose their place by performing badly, or for Briggs to impress enough in the U20s to win his place back. He shouldn't get an automatic selection just because he's had half a good game before and Sykes has had bad ones in the past.

Long term, yes it may be better with Briggs at 6 and Kearney at fullback. But you don't want the message of "It doesn't matter how well you play, once my first choice person is back, you're losing your spot".

I'd agree with that if it was a case of two players playing in the same position.But this is a case of a specialised half over a utility back. One brings a specialised skillset to the the game that sykes, even on a good day, doesnt provide.

I agree with the principle but I see the comparison being between Sykes and Royston and then between Kearney and Briggs.

Do we want Briggs or Kearney at SO? I'd say Briggs as a specialist SO and to free Kearney up to play at FB.

Then for centre its between Royston and Sykes at the moment. Between them I think Royston has been better so far. His support play is a big bonus to the team and tips the balance for me between him and Sykes with not much to choose between them in defence.

You are right to say players should be picked on performance, picking Royston over Sykes for centre would be based on that for me.

At this point in time, I'd say Kearney. He's been playing there all year and has got 2 or 3 man of the match awards hasn't he? On Sunday against Cas, he was excellent there.

The way that Kearney plays between the two positions, I don't see it as a straight "Kearney or Briggs at 6" debate. It's what combination of players we play at 1 and 6. And the Sykes/Kearney combo did well there on Sunday so IMO deserve to continue for the next game.

As far as centre goes, yes I agree Royston over Sykes. But then Royston played there in the last game, Sykes didn't. So it's kind of the same argument.

Just come on bulls website extra supporters coaches needed due to demand so that is great news. Hope the lads get plenty of support there for what should be a very tough encounter! The debate about briggs is simple... if hes fit play him! he is a specialist stand off and brett kearney isnt. Yes i know he has played well there but i just feel that briggs kicking has been a miss in last few weeks! kearney to full back and he can always come help the lads out in them positions anyway if need be. Id be much more confident with briggs, herbert and kearney in the team with the options of 3 attacking players. Should be good game i know ill be there!!!!!!

Do you know how many we are taking?? i rung up at around 2:00 today and they said ye thats fine we will have the ticket at the coach for you (as i couldnt pick it up in opening times)

I'm getting my coach ticket and pass tomorrow so I'll report back.

thats part of problem as I see it. How long can we expect kearney to carry on doing double duty before he breaks down with an injury?. If we've an opportunity to take some of load of and allowing him to specialise in his best position then we should take it. Plus briggs will bring more of a kicking game than sykes offers imo.

St Helens expect around 800/850 Bradford supporters on Friday which is a good following.

I agree the kicking game wasn't good on Sunday and against Saints could kill us. The defensive effort was monumental and could have been made easier had we been able to turn the around a bit more.

Scott Moore = One match ban

For mine, Briggs kicking game should be enough to see him back in the 17.