I like Russell, he's improved massively over the season.
But my gut feeling is this game is one too soon for him, Wigan would no doubt pepper him with bombs and aggressive chasers thinking his mind won't be a 100%.
Any other game I wouldn't mind him starting, but this game is massive! I think ratch is solid and provides the 3rd pivot which works so well for us.
I think if used as a dummy half in late spells, Russell could be devastating through the middle.
Paul wood should lose his spot to him, been dreadful against Wigan and cas, cost us 1 of those games, runs sideways and offloads in ridiculous situations!!

What?! Have you been watching Atkins for the last half season? Yes the first half this season he was poor bit the the man is playing recently like a sophisticated tackling robot, sent back through time to change the course of history for one lucky team!

Surely a back is a waste of a bench spot against a big aggressive Pies pack? We need to smash them down the middle, that's where this will be won. I can't imagine TS is about to change the play sheet, but who knows what's up his sleeve?

I have and what you have said has done nothing but further affirm what I said.
Don't assume I think he is bad, because I don't. I think he has gained confidence while being supported by Evans. I just don't yet wish to see him along sides another Riley or Penny sized player in case he loses his nerve.

I suspect a tactical move by TS.

By mentioning, but not confirming Russell's return, he's got Wigan wondering if it's worth spending precious time working on their high bombs and fast chase.

As Ratch and Russell are 2 pretty different players, and Ratch being able to slot in anywhere, it'll make Wigan's gameplan harder by not being able to know the likely positions of key players.

Completely this.

I think Atkins has been good most of the season and absolutely top drawer recently. Last week at Cas he was like a man possessed in attack AND defence, he was everywhere

couldnt agree more.... Atkins has had a beast of a defense this back half of the season.

So why consider Russell for wing then? Atkins and Evans are looking like a solid combo at the minute apart from some dodgy from short kicks first half V Widnes

All things being equal with Joel's fitness same back line as V Cas for me

If Russell wasn't in the squad then it would be Ormsby in and to be honest with the other players in the 19 it would be fairly clear he'd be left out. It keeps Wigan guessing a little.
But only a little.
I can't see past Ratch at fullback with Ben E on the bench.
Woody has been trying too hard in the last few matches and really just needs to go back to doing the basics.
He and Asotasi don't have the impact that Hill and England do and I think that's why (I think) they don't come on at the same time.

Are you two sleeping together too?

Too many short memories.

and yes I would prefer Russell on the wing, my question mark is about Atkins defence...I would like to see him without Evans but not Just yet.
I need to be convinced it's not the cushion from Evans...that's all. I didn't say Atkins was poor in defence now.

i think Russell could do a job on the wing.... there are 2 things that we dont know about yet though...

* His positioning - he could be like riley, get excited and come flying out of the line waving his arms around
* Under the cross field high ball - if he gets outjumped easily we could be in trouble.

The place to NOT experiment is a semi final.... did i just agree with ducky? oh dear god whats happening to me?

But Evans IS available, so you would prefer playing Russell on the wing and dropping Atkins at centre despite him playing really well with Evans and presumably then moving Evans to Centre as you don't trust Atkins? This would enable you to play Ratchford at FB despite you constantly turning most threads into get rid of O'Brien and Myler in the halves in favour of Bridge and Ratchord......

I'm confused, unless I've misread your logic?

Russell needs time to recompose himself and not just due to his injury, I think he's been up and down form wise, lost a bit of confidence V Widnes away BOD from me rather than scapegoating the lad

You've had a LONG day

lets be honest, i peaked at 07.38

Why are we having this duscussion? We all know that Smith won't experiment in such an important game. My thoughts are that he'll leave Russell out on the basis that it's too soon for a return. For those discussing Atkins and his form, was i the only person who saw an article re Ryan fairly early in the season that explained his poor form at the time? He had been involved in a serious Road Traffic Accident that had preyed on his mind for some time and this had affected his form.

dont let the facts and common sense get in the way of an 'i dont trust him defensively' statement... even if it has no substance to it whatsoever.

Playing Russell at FB would be a huge risk - as has been commented on, WIgan would use every tactic legitimate and otherwise to unnerve a player who took a very, very, very heavy knock.

If Ratchford turns in another Cas performance, he could be the difference. Yes, the Wigan defence will be tighter but that's the reason players like Ratch are invaluable in this type of game. Unorthodox and blessed with improvisation, and even the WIgan defence would have succumbed to that offload for GOBs try.

Other than that, I'd leave well alone other than Evans for Wood. Ben may not be match fit but he's good for bench spot and Wood has been appaling - Ratch is the man who could turn a loss into a win, Wood could do the reverse on this years form.

You're absolutely right.

I think the point is, Atkins and Evans have struck a balance and a strong partnership, so don't break it up.

Personally, I think the Bridge Monaghan partnership is the same, as is the Myler O'Brien. Monaghan is a starter, as are Hill, Harrsion, Laithwaite and Waterhouse. Unless Ratchford plays in the pack with England dropping to the branch, I can't see Russell playing.

Unless he starts Ratchford at fullback, and puts Russell on the bench instead of Currie, and Ratchford does the loose forward job when Harrison goes off? Seems to be too many changes for such a big game, but who knows.

Russell in....Wood out.

Ratchford FB Russell on the bench.

You have to be on a wind up with this Russell scooting being easier from the wing bollucks.

We might find out tomorrow.
Russell is on the bench and Ratchford starts FB.

its logic....he wont have to run as far to take the ball up from dummy half....Doh!