After two hard, intensive games in a row TS will undoubtedly want to rest players. But... Les Cats Are only 1 pt behind, so he will also want a win...difficult

Grix to return ?
Presumably Coops ?
I would think Hodgson and Carvell may be rested
Matty Blythe instead of Bridge to rest his legs perhaps.

Biggest question for me though is will Myler play or GOB ?

lol.....and here we are again trying to second guess Our Lord Smith's minset. Personally I think its now getting to the stage where players need to play together as often as possible to bond as a coherent unit. Play your best players unless they are carrying knock. ...................................... But what do i know...lol

Easy home win.

I agree with this.
I know it is important to rest players at the right time and it is good that a lot of the youngsters have had good experience this year so if they are needed in a big game at the back end of the season they should be ready.
Having said that, we do seem to swap the team so much this season that it does worry me in terms of consistency. There have been times in the last few games when we have looked a little flat in attack and void of ideas, unlike last season when we unlocked defences with ease.
I do wonder if this is because the team has been messed with a little too much.

....but these are just the concerns of a fan. Tony Smith has proved time and time again that he knows best so we just have to leave it to him and I'm sure the grand final success will eventually come.

Consistency needed but with so many good players in the squad and the continued risk of injury I think we'll see three of four different faces on Sunday.

Yes, I think I would agree.

Perhaps Hodgson out and Ratchford at FB
Bridge out, Blythe in
Carvell out, Harrison to prop
Grix in if fit
Myler or GOB in

I agree now the time of year we need to be getting the team gelling properly. Coherent set plays need executing to perfection, defensive sets with no holes in need ironing out, we need to be firing on all cylinders leading up to the crunch time of the season.

I'm starting to get excited about the season now (such a bad thing, but after going out of the play-offs last year i lost enthusiasm for the regular season). And i think the best way for us to succeed is for us to have our full strength side playing regularly ongoing.

Saying that; i do actually think Tony will change a few things for Cas. I know it didn't work out against Salford but i think it will be DRILLED into them that a performance is needed from them in this game.

"You're playing for a place at Wembley lads". Should be enough motivation for anybody.

carvell and waterhouse is out and tests being done on briers this week and ts has said that a few changes will be made to give players opportunities that haven't had as much game time to play them into form if needed at the back end of the season

probably be something like
ratchy
riles
atkins
blythe
joel (may be )
myler
obrien
woody
higham
hill
westwood
coops
harrison

subs
mozza
monas
macca (beard n all )
then take ur pick

God only knows what Tony is going to do, but I'd go with

Ratchford
Riley
Atkins
Blythe
Monaghan
Myler
O'Brien
Cooper
Dwyer
Hill
Westwood
McCarthy
Grix

Monaghan
Harrison
Wood
Solomona

I'd try and give solo some game time (if fit etc) but that's about it

ratchy
riles
blythe
atkins
r evans
myler
obrien
harrison
higham
hill
westwood
D bridge (smith says he very close to playing, would like to see him get a hit up in the cas game)
currie

subs
mozza
dwyer/grix (if fit)
macca/solo
coops

Think that whilst M Monas needs game time, he seems to being targeted in the last two games weve played (why wouldnt you, he's quality) and after getting big hits in both games a rest should perk him up.

Monaghan must play surely?

monaghan is a game changer and should play every game interchanging with either higham or dwyer! we're not the same team without him!

I think Currie is on Academy tour and Danny Bridge if he does play will likely be off the bench

I don't get this at all. I have a 280 mile round-trip to the HJ, but I love watching RL but I still catch most matches there and would gladly go to all home and away games throughout the season if I lived closer. Maybe it's easier to maintain enthusiasm for older fans like me who have watched the club for many years without ever being close to winning a trophy, I'm not sure. Every match is precious to me. I can understand financial reasons for not going every week, but '[ilosing enthusiasm[/i' - what more do you want from your team?

Although poorly worded, I think he means in terms of the increased intensity of the games as we reach the business end of the year.

I hope you're right. Watching a good team play entertaining rugby and win most of the time should be good enough reason to go to games.