Sounds about right, just unfortunate that Ah Van has to play after last week!

I'd be amazed if Royston plays in the centres. Sibbits got more experience in the centres than Royston. I class this call in the "Ah Van to stand off" category. Sheer desperation.

I'll wager Platt with either Ah Van, Sykes or Crookes in the other centre, unless Chev makes a miracle return.

Given the injuries we are dealing with there is a bit of desperation in there.



Ah Van has to move to the wing due to Raynor being out, I've not seen alot of Crookes but others seem to doubt he is ready. So its a choice between Sykes and Royston as I see it.

I think Royston brings more options in attack so would like to see him play on Sunday. He's been defending in the line for some of the games so far anyway as Kearney has switched to fullback.

I'll happily pray for an early Chev return with you though

When Sibbit played in the centres before he wasn't as big as he is now.

Royston's been defending at centre when Kearney's gone back to fullback anyway.

Lets hope Briggs is fit. Will make selection alot easier, and I am really excited to see him play this season. In the friendlies he was causing havoc down that right side with Platt running good lines. Imo, he can be the half-back which we rely on to get the kicks in and get the ball out whereas Herbert can roam a bit more and look to expose any weaknesses like his set up for Raynors try vs Hudds and his own try.

As well as Kearney has done, Briggs offers us alot more at stand-off and Kearney can still do some creative work from full back.

I think it's a bit early to judge Briggs yet but he will add more to the side. I'd be surprised to see him this weekend as I was under the impression he's a couple of weeks away from fitness.

Luckily I missed the Hudder game but I would go with the following if Briggs and Langley are unavailable.

Royston
Ainscough
Platt
Sykes
Ah Van
Kearney
Herbert
Lynch
Diskin
Hargreaves
Olbison
Whitehead
Elima

Burgess
Donaldson
Addy
Scruton

That said it's a tough call on the left side where we've two players with defensive issues. I'd also agree with a previous poster that Whitehead is skating on thin ice with the amount of errors and missed tackles he makes.

maybe a bit harsh leaving koppy out to fit burgess in, when imo he's contributed more than scruton so far. Scruton may have an excuse with his shorter pre-season though.

And yet, Royston has played in the centres far more recently than Sibbit. Sibbit played it early in his career and has massively bulked up since then. Not sure where you get that from if I'm honest, but it doesn't appear to be based on any recent knowledge of Royston or Sibbit's career.

I do however believe that Sykes will play centre with Royston at fullback. But if Sykes doesn't play, and Briggs does, I'd be more than happy to wager that Royston has a much higher chance of playing in the three quarters than Sibbit.

But isn't Sibbit injured? So surely talking about him playing at centre is a moot point?

Personally, I'd be more confident about Sunday's game if Langley and Briggs are fit to play. We're getting a little light in the back row, so having Langley back in would shore up those defences. Having Briggs fit means Kearney can go at full back full time and can play with a bit more freedom to his game, which makes him more of an attacking threat. Would also put Royston at centre to partner Ah Van and help cover some of Ah Van's short comings in defence.

Personally, going by what I've seen on Cas so far this year, if we're to win then we have to do it in the first half. I don't know what their coach does at half time, but Cas tend to do their best work in the 2nd half of games.

However, if we fail to turn up like we did against Hudds then we're going to get creamed again.

Whoa there! I wasn't suggesting for a minute that Sibbit should play centre. He's a 2nd row now. Only stating that he has played centre in Superleague and briefly in the NRL. When and against which opposition did Royston play centre? I don't know? I thought his best position was fullback

I would go with Sykes. Not ideal but he used to be ok until he got dragged all around the back line. Bullseyes team is close to the ones is pick but no way would I drop Koppy.

1. Royston
2. Ainscough
3. Sykes
4. Platt
5. Ah Van
6. Kearney
7. Herbert
8. Hargreaves
9. Diskin
10. Lynch
11. Olbison
12. Whitehead
13. Elima
14. O'Brien
15. Kopczak
16. Scruton
17. Addy


Sykes isn't bad in Centres but Platt has to pair with Ah Van because if Sykes and Ah Van are together, well look at last week



Addy as cover for halfs or Loose, O'Brien as hooker number 2.

problem is sykes/ainscough is just as weak defensively as sykes/ah van.

Ainscough hasnt really put a foot wrong for us in defence. He has been one of our better players so far this year.

Ainscough hasn't put a foot wrong in defence so you can't really say that.

That was what I was expecting having spoken to some Wigan fans about him but he's been good so far.

I've seen nothing wrong with Ainscoughs defense so far!

Just watched the Boots n All highlights of the Giants game and Ah Van was ripped wide open a fair few times, also was done for Wakey's first try 2 weeks ago.

has been better than expected I'll freely admit. but thats alongside a good defender in platt who takes some of pressure of him. Wouldnt like to see him alongside sykes who gets sucked in field very easily.

I don't think the answer to sorting our weak side is to break up a partnership that has looked impressive on the right.

Very true, I would think we would see Ah Van on the wing with Sykes inside him this week

thats what I'm expecting unless briggs is ready to comeback, allowing us to move kearney and royston. Could also try addy alongside herbert for same effect but im not too keen on that option. would prefer addy to get a go at loose.

Yeah, might be a week early for Briggs IMO. If Langley isn't fit then yeah I'd like to see Addy get a run at 13. If not on the bench as the interchange hooker. Looked good there against Wakey, but didn't see O'Brien against the Giants

If Langley is fit, I'd drop Whitehead down to the bench.

He's been looking knackered lately, too many mistakes. A week on the bench would do him good, I feel

Change the record guys!! why is every thread on here turn into a slating of Sykes! he may have a a few defensive issues but does it really warrant all the cr*p you guys give him. He has'nt played in position for the best part of a year, give him a break....Platt, Sheriffe, Worrincey springs to mind

Totally agree!!

Sykes seems to be the scape goat for the beginning of the season! (even though he's not played in many games). It does take me back to last year with Worrincey, Worrincey brought the kicking tee on all game and still got the blame.

Sykes has been asked to cover a number of positions, make no wonder he's not settled into the 2011 season yet. As for his defence he's not that bad, he always goes low for the legs.

The team didn't deliver last week!! simple!..Lynch needs to get the team fired up on the field and show the lads some leadership!

Easy on the players forum!!

Come On You BuLLs!