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.

Were not that bothered because it's just two league points, and we lost to St Helens twice in the regular rounds, last year, but we still made two finals. Some of us see a bigger picture, and not just one game.

He was doing extra fitness work at Northampton to prepare, staying behind in order to get ready for RL while still playing RU.

I think he'll play (and hope so) ... 20 minutes or so in the second half at SR (like BMM). Should be fun. Unless (of course) there is an injury.

Absolutely no chance he'd go to second row in this game. Price would move King to SR and Burrell to centre if he were to get twenty mins.

At least he might have attacked with ball in hand had he played.

We should have played him at 7.

You mean 6 because yet again the most overrated player in SL history went missing in a big game

He was the poorest of the halves tonight. If all Austin is going to do is kick for touch...he may as well just put the ball on the floor and give them possession.
He can drop out 55-60 metres...yet there isn't a 40/20 attacking kick in him.

What's with all the hate for Dec Patton? I thought he was the better of your halfbacks. It's a combo that SHOULD work really well. Patton did his job today IMO, organising and putting in the kicks. His general positional kicking was excellent, pinning Saints back several times with quality long kicks that held in the field of play. Austin was the weaker of the two, he is there to create chances and worry teams and create space for others just because he's there. But today he did nothing of note, getting splattered by Bentley on the one half break he did make.

I wish you'd stop confusing the Patton knockers with fact! One error of judgement in the whole match,the early kick through,and it's enough to make him the scapegoat again