He's back in the squad for Quins game but realistically (baring injuries) will he feature in the Play off's? Who would TS have to drop?

Can't see the need to change it personally.

Think TS will have a look at him against quins and make a judgement from there.

Although as has been said previously. This is a nice problem to have at Wire!!!! A fully fit squad at this point in the season.

Luckily for us, but unluckily for TS and the players, we have an adundance of fit and talented backs.

You'd have to keep Atkins, he's been a monster in the last few months and improves game on game.
You'd also have to keep King, always consistently threatens the line and gets through a massive workload in defence.
You'd keep Hicks, his try scoring ability has never been in question and can sniff the line given half a chance.
I'd keep Riley, i know he's played outside some fantastic centres but you can't knock the lad for being 2nd in the try scoring chart and in my opinion is improving season on season.
But then I'd also have Bridge. One of the most naturally talented players in the team and has definately found his position at centre as proved with his outstanding performance against France playing for England.
And Mathers, well, still liable to make the odd mistake but then every player in every team does. Run Briers close for the Lance Todd on saturday with that performance.

Cack.....just realised 6 into 5 doesn't go.......

I'd have Bridge in the 17 but again, at the expense of whom? We also have Myler to fit back in somewhere.

Riley into Fullback.
Bring in Bridge.

Who is our weakest link in centre? I don't think it's Bridge (taking into account the injury.)

Mathers has done nothing wrong though in recent weeks. Plus I think we shouldn't move our top try scorer to accommodate Bridge.

He played well at loose for a few games this season - that frees Harrison up as an out and out prop, probably off the bench (as he's not really a ball handling loose).

But who cares, what a great situation, one we've not know for a very long time - baring no major injuries tomorrow, we've a great squad to pick from, whoever TS picks...

I hadn't thought about that


but i think i have made the right choice.

Mather's is a great player and his MOM-worthy showing this weekend would suggest that too. But that isn't enough for me to keep Bridge out.

I'm sure Riley would understand. He is a very good Fullback and it isn't like he would be prop, it is a position he isn't afraid of.

Outside Hypothetric(sic) what if Rhys dismantles Quins this weekend, so much that he needs to be in the playoffs.
We shouldn't be affraid to mix the team up if it means putting a better player in.

Have a word with yourself.

Riley has been excellent this season, but the few bad/average games he has had were when he was filling in at fullback. We need to keep him on the wing. It's TS's problem as usual but personally i don't want to see riley at fullback.

I have just had a very serious discussion with myself. It got very heated but as Cloughy said we have decided i was right to begin with.

So Riley has been fantastic all season, 20 odd tries on the wing. And Mathers has been brilliant all year at fullback and his performance at Wembley was MOTM worthy, also take into the account that Riley's posistioning at fullback has come into question before, yet "jdrocket" insists this is what we do.

I'm a big fan of Bridge but if something is working then why change it, he'll have to fight for his place in the play offs.

Mathers
Hicks King Atkins Riley

Hicks and King are devastating at the minute. Can't split them up.

1) I don't think there was a need to quote my name.
2) You could have just quoted me. I don't know how many people care. That isn't a dig, It is jsut me and you talking ATM. I think if someone else cares they can put their two pence in.

Firstly, i respect your decision, it is the obvious choice for good reason and i am sure TS will probably have that at the front of his mind. However, I was of the assumption that Bridge would be good enough in the Quins game to warrant a place in the team "he'll have to fight for his place in the play offs". If that isn't the case then leave him out obviously. Also, No matter what some other people believe, i think that Riley is a very capable Fullback. I know the status quo is working but it is not like i suggested we put Cooper at fullback.

This thread was to think of possible ways Bridge could get into the team and i really don't think I have come up with a bad solution.

74, if Bridge was impeccible and it looked like he improved the team tenfold at quins. What is you plan to put him in?
No reasonable idea mocked.

I'd stick with our backline now for the play offs.

Also i think you are wrong there. I think this year it has been our weakest position.

I am not one who believes the hype that some anti-Mather's twitter addicts have had. I do however think his departure is good for the club.

Agree to differ then because apart from the odd brainfart, he's been brilliant.

I think that is what i mean.

But as Fullback defensive mistakes cost points and ultimately cost games.
People can quote the gift of a try at Wigan to Richards (that i can't help thinking wouldn't have happened with someone else) but he has consistently made brain farts this year.

I forgived Monas his brainfart at HJ against Saints as that is an occasional one. I can only forgive so many. Do not get me wrong i think he has the ability to defend well and really proved that this weekend.

I hope this doesn't turn into the 'almost as common as anti-Clarke thread' Anti-Mathers thread.


I can respect the keepeing the status quo apprach but wouldn't it have been worth trying out a new line up at quins (This still may be possible| am i right in thinking the forwards are rested?) Then not only will everyone have had an extra week in practice and match in their positions but we will know if it is absolute rubbish.

I don't mind being proven wrong as long as we get the best out of the Wire whjen it counts.

I dont want to turn this into a Mathers V's Hodgson thread and, when comparing the two from an attacking perspective there was no comparison last year or this year as Hodgson wins hands down.

However, from a pure defensive and errors made point of view Mathers wins hands down this year and did last year as well.

Last year Mathers averaged at 0.85 missed tackles per game played, Hodgson averaged 1.45
This year Mathers averages at 0.85 missed tackles per game played, Hodgson averages at 1
Last year Mathers averaged at 1.21 errors per game played, Hodgson averaged at 1.63
This year Mathers averages at 0.9 errors per game played, Hodgson averages at 1.6

So yes, we will benefit from Hodgsons attacking play but as far as defence and errors are concerned, next year we will be weaker at Fullback than we are at the mo!

King, Briers, Morley, Westwood and L Anderson rested so looks like Bridgey will be in the centre

Bridgey will probably play in the halves I think (with Myler) allowing Rhys to play at RC. Wouldn't be surprised to see Jon Clarke fill in in the back row allowing Monas and Mickey H to share the dummy half. Whichever way Tony goes we should still post a decent effort and the 2 points tomorrow. 2nd place is anyones guess but if I had the choice I'd rather play Stains at KR.

What's Bridge like at LF, he's a strong guy so isn't out of place as a forward and can play a bit ?

Another option Yed, didn't he play in the pack against Wakey at the HJ? Tony might want to protect him a little though.

Personally always thought that if he hadn't been such a biscuit in the past he would have already been a LF with his strength.

Bridge has been fantastic this season, but he is our third best centre. However good he is, King and Atkins are the best centre pairing. I think moving things around to try and accomodate him, weakens the team overall. Sorry to say it but baring injuries I can't see him playing in the playoffs.