It will be interesting to see how team selection goes once Connor Wrench returns (hopefully sooner rather than later). With Wrench being a left centre, that puts Stef Ratchford's place at risk. For me, it has been a mixed bag from Ratchford so far this season. He has done well at times, but at others he just doesn't look like a natural centre, and his passing can sometimes be a bit suspect, in terms of both quality and timing. I recall Williams having a bit of a heated conversation with him during one game, where it looked like he was getting a bit frustrated with him. Would DP leave out his captain and goal-kicker? I guess we'll soon see, but the prospect of a Wrench-Ashton left-wing partnership is pretty exciting.

No risk at all for me and passing half the south stand was shouting for Ratchford to pass the ball.

I don't really care which one of our current centres makes way, as long as wrench is in the team! Doesn't Drinkwater kick goals? I guess he could take on the duties from ratchford, it might help to justify his selection at the moment.

Powell as confirmed he will be playing for the reserves this week.

Really looking forward to seeing Wrench. For me he still has to prove himself as I thought him as very good in space, which is exciting, but a lot to learn in tight situations & defence. I doubt if Powell will rush him in quickly, unless a gap occurs. Good news though.

Agree with you, so he is in reserves this week, I would say play him in reserves again and not bring him for Catalan.

I missed the Wakefield game and understand he didn't have a good game, but otherwise I think Ratchford has been very good all year.

I have no problem with Ratchford not making that pass to Ashton. He had been bundled into touch at least twice in the last 2 games early in the tackle count on similar plays and Friday was pretty wet. I think Ratchford has done ok this year
My problem with Ratchford has always been the over reaction to decisions that appear a bit questionable. He was at it again with the ref against Wakey putting his hands on his head as a gesture of disbelief at the decision. Query the decision fine, but just go back to the team and say now let's smash these and get the ball back. The gestures are purely playing to the crowd and I think have a negative impact on the rest of the team as they think we are on the wrong side of dodgy calls.

I hope he doesn't come straight back in, give him 3 or 4 reserve games before getting him in the first team.
If he didn't get injured last year i thought he was going to be our no.4 and Ratchford would have just played a utility role. Which i think he will be next year.
I'd rather not rush him back and make sure he's 100% first.

Well he’s not playing this week and I wouldn’t risk him against Catalans away. Save him for Leigh.

Didn't Ratch play as a halfback in the past? At stand off of I recall? I wonder could he pair up with Williams in the halves if Drinkwater was dropped and Wrench came into the centres.

Of all the positions Ratchford has played, I always thought stand off was his worst. He was always too slow of thought for me, at full back he had a bit more space.

Drinkwater’s doing ok, not great, but he won’t be on anywhere near the salary of Williams, his job is to do the basics.

Peanut is the weak link for me - he should be the one making way for Wrench, even if that means Ratch changes sides.

I’m not sure HKR would be willing to accommodate Ratchford.

Didn't Tony Smith sign Stef as a utility player. I remember a few years ago talking to a relative of Stef's who said Ratch had become a fullback at the request of TS. As far as i am concerned he is still the best fullback at the club & maybe any shuffling could see Dufty have a go at stand off if necessary.

ratch was a stand off/centre at salford, when he came here the plan was to convert him to fb to replace hodgo, he never ever got to the same level, or could put out the same passes, even in 2018/19 price was talking about him learning joining the line/cut out pass to the winger.

i hate the shuffling, it just reeks of poor recruitment or knee jerking.

you move dufty to stand off, we're back where we were with williams and another 6, just like we had williams and widdop and williams and austin, austin and widdop, and then widdop got shoved to fb cos he was ineffective at halfback.

I think Powell knows his best team. So the idea of shuffling the back line is coming from fans who would like to see a few changes & improvements but don't have to be responsible. Powell sees the boys every day in countless practice situations & knows his players strengths & weaknesses. I have doubts that you'll see much shuffling ... unless we get injuries. As for Wrench ... steady as she goes.

Think this is right.

Does anyone remember the game where, short of options, we decided Ian Knott was the answer to our halfback woes? His first three kicks were beautifully struck, long distance spirals.. all straight out on the full.

that was the infamous nikau bbq game

There's a chance Wrench never reaches his potential and even if he does, it may take him a long time to get back to speed.

Some players (Ben Currie) never get back to their best after an ACL. He needs to be given time and patience to get back to playing RL first of all. I don't think we should be expecting too much.

lest we forget ben's priority then wasn't just to get back on the field, it was to make it back for the world cup in australia.

Goodness me, why look on the bright side?

Please share

Yeh will be a physical game v Catalan, give him another week if we have another reserve game then have him in against Leigh, drop Mata’utia, close between him and Ratchford

Sometimes the mad plans work. Have I had too much Malibu or do i remember us lifting the CC with the recently retired V Anderson at 6?