eh?

Just reading Andys Wilson suggesting on twitter that we're holding them back because we don't want them playing on the I Pitch.

There's no doubt that a defeat would so less damage to us then a season ending injury to one of our big players would.

Maybe the ipitch is one reason.
The other could be that Waney doesn't want them anywhere near this Exiles gig.
The game last year was bad enough but which coach would want any of his players being coached by McNamara and Lowes?
A game to be avoided at all costs.

Was told last year by a player that Sam etc were not being risked by the club on the ipitch and it wasn't wanes decision, semms pretty coincidental that all these major players suddenly have knocks (Micky aside as he is having a very minor knee op that has been planned for a couple of weeks)

I believe it comes down to 1 of 4 things:

1) Wane doesnt want to risk players on the iPitch

2) Wane doesnt want players playing in the Eng v Exiles game after last years

3) Wane wants to prove that what he did last year was the right choice.

4) there are actually this many injuries.

I would put them in that order of most to least likely. Call me a cynic.

Awaits the rest of the RL community to accuse us of fielding a weakened team against Widnes and disrespecting the England shirt by pulling their players out against the Exiles.

As long as we are annoying people, it's fine by me.....

Just out of interest, do you believe every bit of conspiracy nonsense that you hear?

I like the end bit. It's all a strange coincidence, apart from the bit that isn't a coincidence.

Excellent decision, 3 points clear at top. Gives our best players a nice two week break and gives the youngsters a chance. A loss would mean nothing, a win would just be a bonus.

Gutted about flower though. He has been our best prop this year.

Not being funny, although you do have probably the best youngsters in the game, we should win this one

If you don't have

Tomkins
Lockers
Farrell
Richards
Mcilorum
Tuson

Etc I think we should win. Your team last year still had hock and finch in and we just about won. We're a lot better this year and after a good result against the Dragons if they're the tactics your going with, don't expect an easy game.

Shame really as I think it will damage the travelling support when you normally bring a lot, plus it's on SKY. Looking forward to this one now

Would be nice for Marsh and Mellor to have good games against you

Yes, I do believe it, does that bother you??

So do you not think its a coincidence that 5 or 6 of our best players have knocks the week we play against widnes on the ipitch? So I assume then that you believe that all those players do in fact have knocks and are all unfit to play on Friday? That being the case I fully respect what you believe. I just don't unfortunately, I believe what the player told me last year.

I'll tell you what I don't believe. That Shaun Wane doesn't pick the team.

And I don't care who told you.

I have to admit that i was nailed on for attending Friday night but now i'm not so sure.

Might be easier to watch it on Sky.

I am completely comfortable with that

Looking forward to the game even if some of our big guns are missing. It'll make a refreshing change to go into the game as possible underdogs. Expect it'll make a better atmosphere than a 40 point clobbering would.

If the young lads like Hampshire, Tierney, Burgess and Williams are selected, that's a bigger reason to go to the game and give them our support.

Seeing Hampshire is possibly the only thing that this games got going in it's favour.

Exactly.

Much more excited about the game if we do indeed have a good few missing. It should make it a superb game and its a great chance to see what these guys have got.

Its actually a 3 week and 1 day break we dont play after widnes until 24th June (monday) against warrington

Thets the reason for MM op i think

From what ive been hearing you dont want to play on the widnes pitch if you have an ankle or knee nigling injuries

Whatever your team it will still be decent, your kids are of high quality, i look forward to a good game and hope you travel over in good numbers.

If we do pull a couple out of the exiles match then there can be no excuse about fatigue at the end of the season. The majority of the big name players will have had a little mid season break. Add in the rotation that's been going on amougst the forwards, Richards being given rests and injuries to both halfbacks, meaning they've been freshened up and we'll not be able to play that card.

I hope we put that issue to bed this year.

A pile of injuries this week, I’m not saying they are all made-up they’re not, but I think the up-coming Exiles debacle may have something to do with some. After all look at what happened last year after Tommy’s absence. I wouldn’t blame SW one bit if there were a bit of smoke and mirrors with some of these injuries. At least I hope so!

The squad has been named and contains no Tomkins, Richards, Green, Smith, McIlorum, Flower, Dudson, Farrell or O'Loughlin. We've got Tierney and Hampshire lilely to debut and Greenwood and Williams also in there. We also have Gelling making a surprise return.

Even with all that we still will field a reasonable side IMO and we stand a fair chance of victory.

I'd line us up-

Tierney
Charnley
Goulding
Thornley
Gelling
Powell
Williams
Mossop
Tomkins
Lauaki
Hansen
Hughes
Tuson

Subs
Taylor
Crosby
Burke
Hampshire

Greenwood and Spencer to sit out for me.

I'm probably looking forward to this game more then usual tbh.

Looking forward to it myself, should be very interesting... Others will be chucking themselves in T'cut....

This is similar to Leeds Away last June - numerous injuries and lots of "kids" playing. That night was probably the best performance of the season and a record away win against Leeds! Some of those kids are now establised squad members ( Hughes, Crosby). Our pack on Friday will be arguably stronger than the pack playing against Leeds, although the backs without Sam and Richards will obviously be weaker.

The performance of our hookers and halves will be crucial, but Wane will definitely have everyone fired up, so let's show the rest of the RL world we can win even with 8 regulars missing!