I would expect Thewlis, if fit, to play along with Bateman. Lindop has played in the last five games, Holroyd the last eight. They need to be spelled.

Burgess has said that he wanted to rest Powell against London, but Williams' withdrawl put pay to that. I expect to see him rested either this week or, more likely, next.

I think Lindop deserves to keep the spot. Crowther just unlucky Holroyd just pips him and Bateman personally I thought was nonexistent on Sunday. But it’s not me picking the team and I expect both Thewlis and Bateman will both figure. I’m more concerned we keep getting told Fitzgibbon is a week away etc but the goal posts keep moving. I’m starting to think he really is done it just bothers me that Burgess keeps saying he is near.

Leeds squad with no Croft, Oledzki, Holroyd, Gannon (out all season)
Leeds Rhinos' 21-man Magic Weekend squad: Lachie Miller, David Fusitu'a, harry Newman, Paul Momirovski, Ash Handley, Matt Frawley, Andy Ackers, James Bentley, Rhyse Martin, Cameron Smith, Jarrod O'Connor, Sam Lisone, James McDonnell, Justin Sangare, Mickael Goudemand, Jack Sinfield, James Donaldson, Corey Johnson, Alfie Edgell, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Ben Littlewood

Must admit I thought that but guess he needs time. I don't think he deserves a place on current form but Sam may continue to pick him.

I don't buy that he needs time, He knows the competion and weather here very well, has been playing consistantly with Wests and is match fit. We're seeing now what he has produced for the past 2-3 years. He's past his sell by date and isn't gonna get any better, an ok player for cover, but i wouldn't play him in front of Holroyd, Nicholson, Currie, Yates or Crowther.
Barring injury he shouldn't be in the 17.

Drinkwater must be really pleased that we have signed Bateman until the end of the season.

Bateman is currently more unpopular with the fans than he is, and Bateman is getting all the stick that Drinkwater was getting.

I meant time to fit into our system and understand the plays etc. Having said that maybe that is overemphasised. Yates came in and was productive immediately.

Prop is a pretty easy position to come in to. When Bateman played a bit of 13 vs HKR he looked absolutely lost, unsurprising considering the added complexity of it in terms of positioning and calls etc.

Bateman will play second row, I’ve no doubt about that, Burgess said he’d brought him over to play. So he’ll play.

Dufty
Thewlis
Tai
King
Ashton
Williams
Drinkwater
Yates
Powell
Vaughan
Nicholson
Bateman
Currie

Walker
Musgrove
Harrison
Crowther

I'm with Alfi on team selection.
The only query would be whether Philbin comes in for Musgrove.
Musgrove has been playing better recently - not at a Vaughan/Yates level but much better than at the start of the season, however Philbin needs game time, so taking the long view that switch could happen.

Bateman played against london in exactly the same way he has been playing for wests all season. Simply going through the motions and doing as little as possible. He doesn't deserve to keep his place, but he's probably going to be selected.

Well if he continues to be completely underwhelming then it’s going to be the biggest test of Burgess’ cajones yet.

This, except I would have Walker starting and Powell on the bench.

Dufty
Thewlis
Tai
King
Ashton
Williams
Drinkwater
Harrison
Walker
Vaughan
Nicholson
Holroyd
Currie

Crowther
Philbin
Musgrove
Yates

Leaving Powell out as Burgess said he wanted to rest him against London, but Williams not playing forced his hand.
So he MIGHT rest him, might not but we'll see


I have to admit when we signed Powell i wasn't excited at all, but i think he's been a really good signing for us. Slots in wherever he's asked and does a good job.

Really like that and also that you left Bateman out but sadly he will be playing

Bateman must have felt he’d won the lottery when we offered him a deal and absolutely baffling on his form for Wests what on earth possessed us to sign him.I said he’d be a bad one and am being proved right.

Could well be true about Bateman - think he needs more than a game and a half before he is written off though personally…

Rumour is that Williams has a fractured foot and will be out until the play offs at the earliest!?

Well that’s what I was told but he was filmed training and kicking a ball this week?? Unless that is old footage he looked fine to me.

I think you are being very reasonable. Let's see a bit more before we start whipping ourselves into a frenzy. Mind you we have had so little to moan about this year. Burgess out ....hasn't got a clue ...what would he know about playing second row?

Not sure where that rumour comes from but Williams himself seems to think he's playing tonight, according to what he's said this week. Unless he's fractured his foot last night.

Because Fitz won't play again this season.

In all honesty ,the performance of the team was below par last week.
Maybe the boys are not used to warm weather rugby & this is Britain where game days & hot days together are rarer than hens teeth.

I must say though that results are being affected by the lack of Stef's kicking reliability & it could bite us badly on the a**e in games that matter. Hopefully , he will be back from injury in time for the play offs.

This evenings 17, baring any injuries in the warm up is.....

Dufty
Thewlis
Tai
King
Ashton
Williams
Drinkwater
Vaughan
Powell
Yates
Nicholson
Bateman
Currie

Crowther
Walker
Musgrove
Harrison

Come on. For just one week can you not make something up for attention?

It was Madame Boyd/What would Brian Bevan Say.
The rumour came from them on Twitter.