Team for Friday is

Roberts
Goulding
Charnley
Carmont
Marsh
Lockers
Tommy
Prescott
Micky mac
Coley
H
Hoffman
Faz

Mossop
Lima
Tuson
Finch (if he gets through training this week. If not either Dom Crosby or Logan)

Robinson could be in the Giants squad so they will be close to full strength. If we can get a result out of this game it will put down a marker for the other SL teams. In the past seasons the Rhinos and Saints have picked up points with key players missing. Defensively we looked strong against Hull but the attack was stuttering along and the kicking game was awful when deacon went off.

Glad we've swapped Charnley and Marsh around.

It shows the strength in depth we have, that with all the injuries, suspensions etc, that bench is still strong.

Thanks for posting the team - still looks strong to me.

Like the Charnley/Marsh switch as well but the wings look a little vulnerable to high kicks.

I remain to be impressed with Marsh. I think it's a good move to put Charnley in the centres. Our kicking game is going to suffer without Deacs - maybe McIllorum should do a bit more kicking - he's looked quite useful in that department on the odd occasion that he's kicked.

Hopefully Roberts is fully fit, cos the last thing we need is to have to re-jig the backs mid game.

Fingers crossed that Finch can add something to the side, but i hope its not at the risk of bringing him back early.

I agree with KJ Marsh does not seem the answer to the centre spot at the moment, on Sunday his defence seemed shaky with a lot of grabs rather than hit. He does look quick with a good step but Charnley looks the stronger option at centre. Have they given up on Goulding at centre?

Is this a definite team or just a guess?

I'd imagine given the opening poster's record on these things, it will be the team on Friday.

He's usually spot on.

Couldn't argue with that team at all, and as most would say I wouldn't want to see Finch rushed back in.

So let's do a Leeds.

Martin Gleeson
Pat Richards
Paul Deacon
Stuart Fielden
Joel Tomkins
Sam Tomkins

Six first teamers out. Possibly seven with Brett Finch who hasn't played for six months and Amos Roberts has been missing for the last two weeks and we're up against a full strength, on-form Huddersfield Giants side away.

Does look a strong side that. I was tempted to put Josh at fullback and have Ryan King outside George.

I'm glad your not the coach.

No team in SL could lose that quality of players (if they had them!) and still manage to put out a side as strong as the one suggested by the OP. We have superb strength in depth, just look at the bench!

If this turns out to be the usual battle in the forwards then we should be ok - its a very strong starting pack and Lima, Mossop and Tuson on the bench mean there's plenty for Hudds to be worrying about.

I'd play Crosby off the bench rather than Finch, I think we need as much beef as we can get up front. Dom is only young but is absolutely huge!

You're aware I was being sarcastic?

Be great to see finch in cherry and white! Its about now he is due back so I don't think we are rushing him back, we're starting with an extra forward and we have 3 aggressive forwards on the bench, think we will do it!

Agreed. It is a very impressive side when you consider the number of players we have injured/not fully fit. I was a little worried about this game because Huddersfield are a very good side, very well coached too. They will be a formidable outfit at home this season and it will be a tough ask to go there and win. However I'm still fairly confident we can come away with the two points on friday. As mentioned, that is still a very good side & one that is certainly capable of bringing home the two points.

Should be a cracker.

I thought he'd signed for us

I hope Finch can play.
At last week's press conf Maguire, when asked about Finch, said he was seeing the doctor this week and was very close.
I just got the impression from him that it maybe down to the doctor to give Finch the "fit to play" decision. I'd play him off the bench.
With MicMac now doing the whole 80 mins it gives Maguire two extra interchanges which he can use for his forwards to keep them fresher than they othewise would be.
In the final 10 mins v Hull their pack was dead on its feet and our lads were going like a train! Even with 13 against 12 they couldn't hold on to their lead and lost!

If we had to go that route, I'd be more inclined to slot Matty Russell straight in at fullback. Don't think either Russell or King are quite ready yet, though.

No you weren't, you were panicking.

If we have brought Mellor back would it not be him who slots in on the bench if Finch is not fit? Seems strange to recall him from his loan spell and not have any intention of playing him even if Finch doesnt make it? As people have said the OP is usually bang on so Im not arguing with him, just seems odd to recall a player to have him as 19th man.

Whats the deal with gleeson if hes still a wigan player id play him