a tough one to call for the Fages replacement.

If Pryce plays, at what cost? he will get targeted by wigan defensively as he did by them earlier earlier in the season (which paid off for them!) and his defensive record is quite poor really whilst Coggers is much better. We cant afford to cover defensively for a player in a final as effort will have to be at maximum from everyone. He doesn't have the match fitness as he's been out for two months, which could add to that problem but has he been working on other things to improve this part of his game?-
but then a player like pryce might be able to bring that little bit of magic in attack, - is it worth the risk?

Cogger has played the last few and done well. He held his nerve to take the drop goal last week in the last few minutes, that's the kind of level headedness we need. Defensively he is much better, he has an ok kicking game but not the running spark of Pryce.

Watson doesnt seem like a risk taker - what do we think he will do???

Heart & head for me. Pryce, we all hope, is a player with a match winning X factor and appears to be the sort of lad who'll relish the big occasion but inexperienced with significant match fitness conerns. Cogger is limited but steady, better defensively and match fit, with probably a bit of confidence after his drop goal. I think I'd go with head - I'm just not sure we can go with half backs who between them you've got one who went off injured in the last game & may still be considered a doubt & one whose been suspended for a couple of months. I think Watson will go with Cogger but may choose Pryce over Golding on the bench.

Is there any way fages could still play or is it not allowed now he's not been named?

I.e could we say 5 players are injured so we need to draft fages in? Watson said fages could have played at a push last week!

According to my grandad Ramsden was a similar character to Pryce, one of his tries he had a man free for an easy try and dummied to score in the '53 final. He said he wouldn't have been able to come back Huddersfield if he hadn't scored it! Both 19, both halves, maybe it's fate! I do think he will play Cogger and put Pryce on the bench, but i can't see us winning with Cogger and Ollie in the halves. I also think Wigan will play Leuluai(sp), as he is a massive big game player who will be looking to put himself about with his big shots. He has manage to sneak him under the radar as everyone thought he was out, i was certainly relieved he wouldn't be playing.

So they have players extra, and we have a massive miss, it is going to take them being off their game i'm afraid for us to come up with anything.

How many games has Fages played for us this season? He is a big miss, but I remain confident we will put in a good performance. I was in the camp last season of doubting Russell's ability to continue improving. I am very pleased to be eating my words this season. The young man is growing into a leader on the pitch. By all accounts his hamstring is fine and he is good to go. I have been happy with Coggers performances and would say hes continued to improve and grow on me. Russell and Cogger are capable of making us tick with Tui helping with the creative kicking.

I went to Wigan to watch us and Pryce struggled with their physicality. For a Cup Final where the intensity will be through the roof I simply cant see how he will be match fit and up to defensive duties. Cogger starts without a doubt for me and I think Watson too. Can Pryce take a position on the bench? Its a shoot out between him and Golding. Golding has earned the spot and is very versatile. Could Pryce produce THE moment of pure class to win the game? Without a doubt.

Also watching at Wigan I saw our pack really tear into them in the second half. We won the battle up front convincingly in my view but couldn't convert that dominance into tries. Which would push us needing Pryce on the bench. Also we didn't have Levi there so he will be a great addition for us to up the tempo and push them hard.

But with all things considered, Im still on the fence! haha. Id like like to see Pryce have 25mins at a tiring Wigan depending on the game situation.

Its going to be an arm wrestle. I just hope we start well and then grind them down over the 80 minutes. Really impressed by our fitness levels particularly across the bigger lads. Here's hoping we can do it.

"So they have players extra, and we have a massive miss, it is going to take them being off their game i'm afraid for us to come up with anything."

Sounds like you've made your mind up already. I wouldn't bother watching!

I'm a realist yes. They now have all the cards, Fages has really been huge in our better performances and has the experience and temperament for this type of game. We now have no halves with any experience at this level.

Thinking about it i would actually play Lolohea and Russell in the halves and Golding at full back with Pryce on the bench. I just do not rate Cogger at all, he is so average in everything he does.

So? Neither do they if they play cust and smith! Both younger than our halves.

If leuleui does play he will probably play at 9 rather than in the halves and there are question marks over whether he’s fully fit and will actually play.
I’d stay home and wash your hair if I were you hangerman. You’ve already made your mind up we are doomed. I do hope the team don’t read how confident you are in their ability.

I say it as i see it, feel free to be critical but it won't change me. I'm not saying we can't win, what i said was that they need to have a bad day for us to have a chance now.

I’m glad you’re not coach.

Fages has played 6 games this season. Do you go watch us?

He's a cracking player! Don't get me wrong. But you talk like we cant play without him?

We have a solid side, we will be fit, we will be organised and we will very much be up for it.

Im sure Fages will be there with the team to hope out. We have good numbers of big game experience lads now.

It’s an interesting idea to play pryce on the bench instead of golding but a risk. Not sure one I’d personally want to take in a final but Watson may feel differently. it would mean we had plenty of creativity out there. It means Levi has to play a full 80 minutes and we have to pray he doesn’t get injured during the game as we have no one really able to cover properly in that position. It means if he does get injured or towards the end of the game as he tired we would be vulnerable around the ruck and wigan are masters at exploiting that.
I’m glad it’s not my choice to make!

I think that if Ollie is fit then he and Cogger will play in the halves. If not then Pryce will come in. It would be just like him to put in a MOM performance. Golding should be on the bench for me as he has proved his worth over the past few months and he can cover most positions in case we need to. Tommy Leuluai being selected is a strange one for me as Peet said he wouldnt be fit for ages, maybe Peet is playing a few mind games with Watson over selection. If he does play its a major boost for Wigan when we played them away he was the difference between the two teams IMO. Although his interpretation of the offside rule leaves a lot to be desired as he seemed to spend most of his time in our line near enough

You obviously didn't read what i said, he has been the difference against the better teams. He played against, Hull in quarter final, Hull KR in semi Final, Catalan and the wigan win and was missing from the Warrington debacle. Maybe i just watch more closely than you?

Have we won any other games apart from those to which you refer? You are extremely blinkered!

He has been the difference? So you're saying we would have lost if hadn't have played? Sweeping an unsupportable statements. But I respect your views.

Hes a good player. We will be still be good without him.

Up the Giants. Ill be enjoying the game and I will enjoy the fact we have a good team and we have a chance.

I really wouldn't bother watching if I were you but each to their own!

You could argue we almost lost the quarter final due to fages. If it wasn’t for an extremely excellent effort to track back and tackle by tui, and griffin losing the ball - a costly drop of the ball by fages could have seen hull win that one and we would t even be here now- It’s all ifs buts and maybes!
We would all rather fages was playing but he isn’t- throwing up our hands and saying we are doomed because we lack one single player is a bit of an overreaction I feel- and goes against everything Watson is doing at Huddersfield! We’ve won plenty without him- including tight games. I just hope I’m not sat next to hangarman!

One of the best traits Watson has brought to the club and that we've all witnessed as being a difference maker this season is the 'next man up' mentality. Of course we'll miss Theo but, next man up & COYG. Heading down tonight and can't wait for the game. Don't understand how us being in a final can still attract doomsayers but each to their own, I suppose.

and actually that next man up mentality has made better players! sezer was supposed to be the messiah but id rather have russell in our side than 'im too injured to play' marquee man Sezer! Its made him a better player. Look at how players like Trout, English and Wilson have flourished by being that next man- even leroy and jerry you could argue have got back to their best by having others snapping at their heels in their positions.
I have no expectations - just hope we dont have any bad luck and show a good account of ourselves.

Safe journey unbeliever. We are making the journey tomorrow - its going to be a long day - lets hope we stay smiling!

Absolutely spot on both of you. Watson has built the system and the processes hes always talking about.
Whoever stepped up has come in and done this business on the vast majority of occasions!

Early morning start for us tomorrow. Very excited now.

I just want to see us play well and battle hard, give it everything. Should be a great game.

Good luck for tomoz and I hope you guys come back with the cup and enjoy the whole day experience

"Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose." It's been a great season already, what a day tomorrow can be. Sadly struck down with food poisoning, desperately hoping I can make it tomorrow. Unbelievable timing.

I may still have some of the medication that we got for food poisoning in Egypt- not sure if it’s still in date- but you are welcome to try it if you are desperate! It certainly worked!

Good luck for tomorrow.
I'll be there as a Giant for the day.

Thank you Jools. Heading in from Uxbridge, so a long way from you atm. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Good Luck on Saturday! "Do it for Yorkshire!"