I know Sam's a tough little bugger and probably will play against Hull KR next week. But in the event he doesn't who would everyone play at fullback?

Personally I'd go with one of two options, although I feel that either are extremely unlikely to happen, as it doesn't seem like a Madge thing to do. First off I'd like to see Marsh who has played a fair bit of rugby at FB earlier in his career get a chance there. His speed and acceleration plus the extra room he'd have to work in at FB would let us us get a better look at what he's capable of, plus he wouldn't have to pass the ball as much.



Alternatively I'd like to see Matty Russel get a go. We keeping hear how much these lads are chomping at the bit to get some first team action. Well now's the chance. It might only be one game for the lad, but at this stage in his career it might just provide him with that impetus to kick on and try and stake a claim for a first team spot.

What ever happens I just hope we don't see Pat at FB in Sam's absence. While he's as safe as houses under the higball, his kick returns and ability to link in with the attacking line isn't great. Mainly because he lacks the quick feet and acceleration that younger smaller backs give.

Like I say Sam's probably going to be fit for Monday, so this thread's more than likely going to be redundant. But it beats going over old ground in regards the Raynor incident, and it sure as hell beats talking about the Latics.

Doesn't Sam now have to do a "head test" given he was knocked out yesterday?

Agree about Richards - he needs to stay on the wing. If Sam isn't fit I'd basically say to Roberts, "last chance".

I'd really like to see Russell given a go but I doubt he'd be in contention really. He's still only young and hasn't been sent out on dual reg yet which perhaps means the club don't think he's quite ready for a step up yet.

I think Amos Roberts would be the one who'd play fullback if Sam was out. He played there against Huddersfield and although he had a bit of a nightmare I think he'd get another go before Madge would resort to trying out someone like Marsh or Charnley in that position.

Concussion has nothing to do with toughness, medical assessments will rule him in or out.

Richards - I don't think he had the best game at FB I have seen him play. However he is safe, my main concern with him at FB is that it removes him from the wing and dilutes Wigan's strength in attack.

Agree. I think Sam will play though, Madge said he could have come back on at Bradford.

In the event of a Sam Ban/Injury I would like to see Roberts get his last chance.

Richards at fullback is average, on the Wing he is world class, we should keep him there.

The RFL will certainly refer Tomkins to the disciplinary for the quite outrageous headbutt of Raynors fist yesterday...

There are quite a few options here, Matty Russell is fast and elusive and i think he would not let anyone down at FB, He is a great prospect. Maybe if they do move Richards to full back , Ryan King comes in on the wing , another great prospect. I think Roberts is carrying an injury, watched him against saints 20`s and he does not look to open up and run at full pace even when the opportunity came up.

Am I right in thinking that there used to be a two week rule, where if you were concussed or knocked out you couldn't play for two weeks? Is so is it still in place?

That does ring bell, whether it's still in operation I'm unsure.

I think now it's just a case of taking a cognitive test during the week, whereby you have to beat or at least match your previous score from the beginning of the season. I think?

No pun indended?

I'm sure it was used earlier in the season with Deacon (longer than two weeks in his case).

*In fact I was actually told that the accidental hit Deacon got to the head could have been life threatening.

Marsh was a useful fullback at one time. Don't know if he's played there recently.

Richards to FB, Goulding on the wing, easy.

We lose the threat from fullback then.

Roberts for me.

Goulding was all over the show a couple of times defensively yesterday, and we lose the threat of Pat outwide.

We lose the threat from full back whoever goes there, pat can still move to wing in attack.

Like a couple have said, I'd stick Roberts there. Apart from the 2 bombs against Huddersfield (His last game at fullback) I thought he did quite well.

Was Goulding really that bad? He slipped off a couple of tackles early on and misread the very last play when it didn't really matter. He also had a hand in 2 tries and saved a likely try when they had an easy overlap.
Bearing in mind that the player given man of the match kicked woefully and was at fault for two tries it would seem little harsh to criticise Goulding.

i thought goulding played quite well yesterday at centre.

Roberts to FB. That way you only have one swap required.

He mis-reads too much for me. He was hopelessly out of position towards the end of the 1st half, and if it wasn't for a shocking pass from Bradford we'd have gone in level.

Not got a problem with him offensively, I think he's solid enough, but I have absolutely zero confidence in him when anyone attacks down his wing. That said, he was done a slight dis-service by not having Carmont as his Centre.

If you're referring to the incident when Platt threw the ball behind Ah Van who was then dumped into touch it was Goulding who helped avoid a try in that instance rather than being at fault. There was an easy overlap and I think it was Hoffman or Finch who came too far inside but Goulding had to put pressure on Platt, which he did and forced him to rush the pass and a try was avoided. If it's not the same incident then apologies, I can't quite remember the whole of the game.

It's hard to say without having watched the u20's because I've no idea what kind of form Roberts is in. I see he played at 6 at the weekend with Russell at 1. Should we take anything from this? Will Madge have any say on where players play in the 20's with a view to their long term progression or will it all be down to what Fletcher thinks is the best strategy to win the game? What I mean is if Roberts was the reserve fb, and Russell his back up, would they not have played Roberts at 1 with a view to him being so close to getting a first team game there, and presumably nowhere near a game at 6? Or is it more to do with just getting the best team they can out?

If Sams injured and Roberts doesnt come in the surely we've got to get shut ASAP as it would mean hes so far down the pecking order its not worth him taking up cap or quota space. I think it was in the pre-season game at Salford when Marsh played FB and was completely ineffective and Pat's strikerate drops significantly when he moves from the wing.

If MM is not willing to put him in if Tomkins is injured, then I doubt he will ever get a game. Thus, get rid.