He'll start Myler.

Well we shall see

Agreed. Keep Vinnie for his impact off the bench

He won't.

I've just had it confirmed, (not by sisters, guinea pig), definitley not playing.

Myler isn't playing. Sometimes rumours are just true.

Mathers
Riley
Atkins
King
Hicks
Briers
Monaghan
Carvell
Higham
Morley
L.Anderson
Westwood
clarke

Wood
Solomona
Myler
Harrison

cooper and Vinnie to miss out

Bit of a surprise to me but Smith does seem to get the tactics right. Shows how much he rates Clarke.

What, at all? Christ.

The more I think about it the more I don't understand it.

The main part must be to have Mona's in the halves because if it was a case of fitting Clarke in you could just play Mona's and Clarke at 9 switching over the 80 mins but its clear he wants Mona's at 7 for the 80 its either going to be a masterstoke or a disaster which robs the team of a real pace outlet.

The only logic is to firm up the middle of the field by always having a defensive player at positions 9 and 7. Personally I think it's bonkers but I'm sure I'm wrong about that.

I'm of the same opinion, if you have one of (if not the best) hookers in the league then you play him at hooker. Monaghan has made his name over here at hooker, he's been a revelation since he reverted back to 9 from scrum half where he struggled in the past. I'm getting a sinking feeling, hope i'm wrong.

Who are we to question Tony Smith though, were just fans with opinions.

Always need one big team debate before a big final.

I trust Smith but I would defo have him on the bench.

Worried about this one - it worked against Catalan in the semi, but they are a big, slow team - Leeds are not - they are smaller and faster. We have to trust in TS, but it's a worry - Monnas at half was pants, at hooker - amazing!

It must be tactical, we have lost twice against leeds with Myler at 7 it could be a masterstroke!!

Work them hard up the middle and then hit wide late on I suspect.

It's just odd to be honest. Should be in the 17.

Myler hasn't played against Leeds at all this year has he?

Myler never played against Leeds he was injured

He did help Salford beat them last season.

Correct, he was still injured for both games home and away. It makes for more of a case to play him at wembley to try something new.

I've half expected it since the Hull game wondering who was going to be the odd man out to bring Briers back in and I thought it would be Myler. Smith obviously rates Clarke (who to be fair to him has been impressive since coming back in) so wants to accommodate him at 9. Higham is a more natural hooker off the bench than Monaghan would be (or Clarke if Monaghan started) so Monaghan at 7 was the most likely option and unfortunately Myler looks like the unlucky one in the equation.

On the flip side I'm pleased for Clarke getting his chance after last year. Myler's will come again (I hope) although I do remember that Briers left Saints after this happened to him...

Same here on both points

leeds would spot myler in defence to much for me ,hes young and bags of time ,smith will go with higham as he a totaly better defender ,in fact he tackels better than monas and clarke to be honest ,miles more experiance ,myler is a good support player but there is enough strike players in the team without him ,tuff call for ts but he has made the right one again

In Smith We Trust?

Yes not mylers type of game for me.

Agreed. I trust whatever he chooses 100%.

How solid is this info that Myler is dropped from the starting 13?

(Not having a go at '74, but genuinely suprised).

With Leeds losing Burgess and Peacock and us having a full strength - and more than useful - pack I would have thought that it wouldn't have been a problem as Leeds would have had more than enough trouble keeping us in check, and their pack would be second best (marginally).

As has been said here, if Clarke and Monas play from the start, it looks like TS is concerned about us holding Leeds early on so wants his best defence on for the first 20 min at least.

If Myler is on the bench then it'll be Cooper and Vinnie to miss out.
That'll be a real shame for Vinnie as he's playing very very well at the moment.

As I say mate, it's not one of these "step sisters dentist". I got told he had been dropped and wasn't happy and very disappointed. Whether being dropped means not starting or excluded from the team completely, I will try to find out, however I'll take this persons word for it because he [uwill[/u be wearing the P&B and playing at Wembley on Saturday.