I dont know what to say.

I know it's late at night and some people may be a little bleary eyed, but I'm obviously taking the p*ss out of all the indignant fans who were slagging Noble off for recalling Riddell in place of McIllorum bfore the team sheet had even been announced.



The same fans who still seem to think we are playing the same boring rugby as last season.



The same fans who believe that Noble will ALWAYS pick the same players regardless of form.

do i get brownie points for spotting it ???

I agree with your point.



And it has to be said if Mcilorum continues with his awesome defence and all round industrious play in the weeks to come, I struggle to see how Riddell will get back in at this moment in time. On the other side of the coin, I do think in the upcoming games we could use Riddell's extra bit of canny and creativity around the ruck.



Interesting selection issues all over the place.

WTF

Riddell is still injured.



Will be interesting to see if he gets a spot when fit. At the moment its all one off performances though. If we go off todays game Tommy should be nowhere near the 9 shirt next or any other season.

OK you are attempting irony but I don't think you will find anyone said Noble had dropped McIllorum but were speculating that he might.



The reason they were speculating he might was because there have been plenty of examples over the time Noble has been here of him sticking with his favourite players and overlooking others. Or do you disagree with that?



Today Noble got it right but don't be so quick to say "I told you so" as there is plenty of scope for him to revert to type because as we all know good form doesn't guarantee you a slot in the 17 as Ainscough being dropped shows.



Personlly I think the irony is drawing attention to McIllorum being picked ahead of Riddell as a good bit of coaching when numerous posters on this board had written him MM so they could justify a Riddell / TL hooking partnership! You all know who you are!



Dave

God you are arrogant. Since you spat your dummy out for months over Micky Higham leaving then id say your the worst judge of hookers on here so you may want to lose your typical arrogant tone that you achieve so easily.

Do we go with Riddells better organising, passing and greater speed or McIlorums punishing defence and sniping dummy half runs, or do we have both in the 17.



If we have both then we probably can't have Smith and Tomkins in the 17.



Over to you Mr. Noble.

Nice problem to have really. When you think that, a couple of seasons ago, the problems came whenever any one of our first 13 got hurt and it was a case of "bloody hell, who's gonna fill in for him?"

I think, similar to the situation with Ainscough, its whether to have an Aussie in over a Young player. But unlike Richards being ahead of Ainscough I think it is McIlorum who has the better of Riddell at the moment and deserves his place. To outplay Cunningham and Roby is definately no small achievement and deserves its rewards until he starts putting the bad performances in. Sorry Riddell, I can see you sitting out the next few atleast.

Tough call. We may see Sam sit a few games out I think.