Some of us were saying that about Thewlis against Catalan.

Ok....so i dont want to sound thick here....but doesnt his contract only officially start 1st July?

I can't see it myself. Mind games maybe?

It's quite an exciting prospect but neither can I Shaz Lineham's back I think, so if Mamo isn't injured I'd expect a straight swap with Johnson. Goodwin and King stay at centre and Charnley on the other flank. I'm not sure when he can contractually play Longbarn is usually spot on, but, in any event is this the game to have him as bench option?

I thought the same, but why would he be training with the squad for free? He must be being paid for this month.

I presumed the 1st July thing was about only having half a year taken up by the salary cap exemption, therefore we can't play him until then.

Maybe we have received clarification about his eligibility?

I can't see this happening but you never know. Would be interesting to see what he could do though. But there is the risk that if it goes a bit wrong it might knock his confidence and set him back a bit. I definately wouldn't throw him in to a saints game for his first one.

Unfortunately, its nothing ive heard. Its just what ive read. As for him training already, of course he will be getting paid.....he doesnt count on cap anyway does it? So thats upto the club. Think the 1st of July relates to his registration, so surely from that date, hes available. Just wondering whether its a technicality, or will the RFL will need to give it the rubber stamp?

Either way, with Livett out on loan, i personally think SP will name him in the squad and get him in and around the matchday squad and then leave him as 18th/19th man.

From what I remember there was talk at an interview of him getting an early release from his contract at Northampton once they err out of the play offs, something along that line anyways.

You could be right and we will know soon enough. Also and my memory might be playing tricks, or he might be playing them but didn't he say something along the lines of I 'can't wait to get started and have the chance of facing Saints'on a recent SL show??

Quote ="Longbarn Wire"of course he will be getting paid.....he doesnt count on cap anyway does it?'" I thought he didn't count of the cap for 18 months, but that's technically wrong. Any eligible player signed after 1st Feb doesn't count on the cap for that year, and the following year. With 50% the year after. So he's free to play without the club having to worry about future cap space. Guessing he was meant to be registered from 1st July but with him leaving Northampton a little earlier, he was registered a little earlier? Just a guess. Anyway, looking forward to seeing him out there but agree that no centres deserve to be dropped. For those as sad as me, regulations here: https://www.rugby-league.com/flipbooks/ ... html#p=290

Quote ="Longbarn Wire"of course he will be getting paid.....he doesnt count on cap anyway does it?'" I thought he didn't count of the cap for 18 months, but that's technically wrong. Any eligible player signed after 1st Feb doesn't count on the cap for that year, and the following year. With 50% the year after. So he's free to play without the club having to worry about future cap space. Guessing he was meant to be registered from 1st July but with him leaving Northampton a little earlier, he was registered a little earlier? Just a guess. Anyway, looking forward to seeing him out there but agree that no centres deserve to be dropped. For those as sad as me, regulations here: https://www.rugby-league.com/flipbooks/ ... html#p=290

In the interview Price seems to indicate that he is eligible to play. I can’t see it though, what would the point be in dropping one of King or Goodwin? Both of whom are doing ok?

I’d rather we leave it till next week, and play him @ London. That’s not me taking London lightly, I just feel Price will rest Currie for that one given the pitch so King to BR & Burrell to centre - if Price thinks he is ready.

I suppose whether he plays or not, the important takeaway is that he is ready and looking good. But based on Price's past track record, if he is ready (as in "Thewliss is ready"icon_wink.gif we might see him this week or next. I suspect registration is not an issue as I thought in the past the RFL rules stated a player had to be registered to train with the squad, and why would Price say he was in the 21 and would decide after Thursdays run if he knew he was ineligible ? As for displacing one of our better players, he will still have the same problem next week. When do you play an unproven ex RU man who is not fully up to speed with all the players, positioning and moves ? He will always be at a disadvantage / second choice to the current team choice.

Looking at the game from the coaches POV, whilst this is a big game for us supporters, it's only worth 2 points and isn't a cup game. Getting Burrell as much game time as possible before the cc semi and the end of season playoffs is surely a priority ?

Its fun to speculate but I guess at the end of the day we are probably only arguing about whether its this week or next when he plays.

To me the difference is that we had changes forced on us by injuries/suspensions. That doesn’t apply here. Would be great if he played and smashed it but would you drop Goodwin or King?

Next week vs London. I don’t fancy Curries knee on the London pitch, so King to back row, Burrell to centre.

One thing is for sure, if Burrell is able to displace one of King, Goodwin or Atkins by the end of the year it’s an exciting prospect. As surely he will undergo massive improvement in the off season too.

Yes, exciting times. Lets just hope that he lives up to expectations. A Josh Charnley type transition would be great.

Burrell will make second row his position I reckon.

Well hes in the squad anyway...

With Lama Tasi and Danny Walker both named in the 19 man squad I would think it significantly increases the chance that we will see Burrel play. Perhaps a second half appearance off the bench with King moving to the BR ?

It's a massive game for him to make his debut in - if he does. Top of table clash, on TV, up against 2 international Saints centres who are playing well.
It's one thing going well in training, totally another to repeat it in a match where we and he will be under more pressure than normal.
I wouldn't bring him in this week, but it's not my decision.
As WO says - its a matter of when he maked his debut this yeat, not if.
I'm still surprised that we aren't retaining Atkins especially as Goodwin appears to be off next year. It leaves us with just 2 players that are true centres (not converted 2nd rowers) - and one of those is unproven even if he is an RU international.

One thing that's not been mentioned about Burrell much is his age - at 31 how many years will he have with us?
Must be 3 or 4 at most....

I'd play Tasi if fit. Lack of weight is all too evident atm.
No, not a fan but needs must where there's a deficiency.

I'm thinking Luther will sneak on at second row (unless there is an injury). Centre at Union to SR in League ... should be fine. He is a big beggar.

If you're not that bothered about this game (which I don't understand by the way) then surely its a great opportunity to get Burrell in. Mind you if you say to him "we're not that bothered about this game Luther" I'm sure he would be wondering what on earth he'd got himself involved with!

can't see him being fit enough yet to play in the forwards.

Price has surprised me before with his team selection but I'm not expecting Burrell to play against Saints. It could well be a case of Price knowing his starting 17 with no late fitness tests and he puts Burrell in as part of his development experiencing the build up through the week, 18th man on the day etc.

If he doesn't play this week it does indicate to me that he's not going to be too far off.

Funnily enough, that was exactly what went through my mind when I wondered what position he would play (in his first game). And in this derby match, the forward battle is likely to be at another level compared to a run of the mill SL game. That's why I think he will be on the bench and if he comes on, he will take Master King's spot for however number of minutes he is allowed to play.