Absolutely. Saddo is fishing Shirley?

It will be interesting to see what happens when Wrench is fit to return. I think he can develop into a really special player and I would have him at centre, but would DP leave out Ratchford or Mata'utia? I doubt it. Perhaps we're more likely to see Wrench on the wing this season, but even then there is strong competition for the place. A good problem to have. As you say, much may depend on injuries, ultimately.

i'd say wing is less likely.

Although I think he was ahead of Thewlis last year in Powell's mind, I felt.

Thewlis will come into his own when he eventually moves to Fullback IMO. He may well get a chance there this year if Dufty is out.

Wrench just seems wasted on the wing. He's got lightning pace and is an excellent finisher, but he's also got the handling skills and footwork of a top-class centre. He's more creative than Mata'utia, but I know Powell will want Mats in the team somewhere for his on-field leadership. I get the feeling that is non-negotiable at the moment. And Ratchford is currently superb on the left with Currie and Williams, especially his defence. It's nice to have these problems of fitting good players into the team though.

Unfortunately it will have been low down on their list of things to gripe about after
1. We got beat by Wigoon
2. Knowles did nothing wrong and its all a conspiracy against us
3. why was someone else sat in my seat at Wigan when it was allocated seating - its a conspiracy against us as we had to look at our tickets to find out where to sit
4.we've got no pack cos they've all been banned for the game v HKR - its a conspiracy against us
5. Matautia did nothing wrong again and we are all being picked on
6. why did Smithies not get the same ban as Knowles - its a conspiracy against us
7. why did Singleton not get banned for life for the swinging arm full of intent when Hurrell was falling to the ground - its a conspiracy against us

think you get my drift - there is a conspiracy against them by the RFL

Hang on hang on we have had 1 banned for 7 1 banned for 5 and one banned for 2 and one banned for 1. I’m thinking we are caught up in this conspiracy also

Wrench isn’t wasted on the wing, he’s actually very good at it…
But the main reason is so he understands his defensive line from all zones. Playing wing develops you as a fullback.

Wrench at Fullback? Not too sure about that, but what do I know?

Bullock, Harrison and Philbin back after the international break according to Powell so we’re working with what’s available now for both Wigan and Saints.

Tomorrow will be a big test but even with absences I think they are 2 evenly matched teams.
Was it against Wigan last year when Matty Ashton was chased down and played the ball with nobody behind him?
Either way there now looks to be effort from every player to provide support when we break, to chase down what last season would have been lost causes in defence.
Win or lose, this season will not be defined by the next 2 games.

It is a remarkable turn around in attitude.

My bad, wrote wrench and thinking Thewlis.

Wrench won’t go on the wing, he’s an out and out 3/4 I reckon.

As both teams for tonight are pretty equal, I expect the winner will be down to which collective is more positive in their attitude

Unfortunately I have a feeling saints will nick this one and Vaughan will be a massive loss with the other props out. But it'll be a good test in adversity and it's better early doors than at the season's end. That said, it looks like saints will be missing a few upfront also but they'll have a first choice 1-7.

Also, I think saints need to win this more than us as they have 4/5 really tough fixtures.

If we're competitive, I'll take a loss given the circumstances.

Let's be realistic we are going to get whacked. Best outcome is no injuries and no sodding suspensions.

paasi having surgery today apparently, that's another big one out for them

So 2 teams with heavily depleted packs? I hope its a decent game, I feel that it won't though. Drinkwater will need to bring a better kicking game this Thursday than he brought last week.

I think it's a 50/50 game really, it's possible that neither team will be able to lay a decent platform for their backs. I think saints will win it but I think it will be close.

All you can ask for in these situations is the team we put out up puts the effort in and win or lose turns up. I don’t like losing but if you can see the team as tried that’s good enough for me.

Like you say given state both teams in for this it can go either way, please hope the ref and video ref don’t become the centre of attention.

We are definitely owed a couple by the officials after last week. It would be nice if we got them back this week and it won us the game.

Heard yesterday Percival may be out and now they saying Hurrell out.

C+ must try harder.

Or... "Much better than the previous year's work. Keep working hard and learning and you could achieve top marks in the big exam".


You're taking the OFSTED line, and I am that teacher guy on the advert who inspires his students.

Failed.

It was only the mock exam. They indicate how much work you need to do before the actual exam.

Interesting perspective that hadn't occurred to me, we had those three games back to back, but haven't Saints had the same situation playing Wigan, then us, then Cats? And chances are they'll only win the one game which was against us.