Hankinson was looking more than capable to be a starting centre, I believe additionally with more game time he would have only improved as partnerships with his wingman would develop as well as playing at that level consistently.
I guess Hankinson is seen as cover, even with Sarge leaving at the end of the season and Hank saying; he can only be seen as cover. Hopefully next season with no more Sarge, it'll be a clean slate for all with Lam awarding the centre spots to whoever looks the part after a great pre-season. Realistically I can see Hankinson, Bobby and possibly Hardaker all looking for the spot with Gilly as a shoe in the other spot.

Agree with most of this but I honestly wouldn’t put Hardaker in as centre. It’s between Bibby and Hankinson for me with Hardaker at FB. French would partner Hastings and Leuluai would share hooking duties with Powell. Good to have options though.

Possibly because both the winners and losers get another game next week. Lose tomorrow and we get a home game against Wire/Cas the week after. Win that and we'll get another game against Salford for the right to face Saints in the GF. Win tomorrow and we have the unenviable trip to Saints next week.

Assuming we are not going to beat Saints twice in 3 weeks, then I think our best shot is to flunk it on Friday.

We don't have to beat Saints twice. We don't need to beat them on their own patch to make the final even if we win on Friday.

Just speaking in hypotheticals mate. I think there's a possibility of Hardaker to centre with French at FB, especially if Lachlan Lam comes over on loan. I love Hardaker as our FB personally, more than happy with him; but there is potential for French to play there.

Winger on the bench? You've lost me there

Think more likely Isa starting and Greenwood on the bench based on form and I suspect Navarrette will be on the bench rather than a winger.

I’d personally keep Burgess on and start Marshall on the bench as I think Marshall would have more of an impact coming on from the subs bench than Burgess would.I agree about Isa his tenacity from the start is what’s needed. Get greenwood running wide on French’s side where he can find an offload or a quick PTB to get Bevan some space. Really looking forward to this game though , it’s going to be a lot harder than some people think.

Gives us versatility and options to reshuffle the back line/HB’s. Salford are a very well drilled side and we will need to rely on several elements to beat them. The more options the bench give us the better.

Re Isa; I do agree strangely enough with the points and wouldn’t be disappointed or annoyed if he started.

In fairness carrying Burgess on the bench wouldn’t be much different to having French on there. We’d just need to reshuffle a bit more once Burgess came on and French moves in to the halves (where he came on at Wakey).

Not that I’d put him on the bench mind but it’s not a ridiculous suggestion by any stretch.