Due to the positive covid tests by 6 Hull FC players, the subsequent fixture re shuffle has seen our game with Saints postponed and instead we play Catalan on Saturday ko 4.15.
Still a tough fixture but, surely, an easier prospect than red hot Saints.

Having said that, Catalan demolished Cas 40 - 14 last weekend and although they have plenty of extra travel, they will also have had the benefit of an extra day "rest".

Should be another close game but, hopefully one where we can come away with some points.

These are the kind of games that we have to win if Trinity have any ambitions of mid table (or better).

Come on Trin !

Not a good swap Catalan will be out to injure a few of our players so they are out the week after .Catalan have done it to us many times ,Last time at Magic Weekend they made sure big bopper did not play for months

If they collect any suspensions at least we'll benefit for once.

Play the young kids Saturday - all our focus should be the challenge cup the week after .

Be interesting to see what both clubs do in respect of picking their "best" 17 for this one.
Right now, with no relegation and it being unlikely that we will make the top 4, although we aren't too far behind, points wise, in the table, the cup is probably the better game to win.
Having said that, it would be a massive confidence boost to take the points on Saturday.
With it effectively being only the second game in, we have to get timings and cohesion better than they were last week and wholesale changes to the squad would prevent this happening.
Also, with Catalan likely to target some of our key players for some "special treatment", it's a tricky one.
Maybe an extra back on the bench and give Johnstone a rest, so that he is fully fit (assuming that his arm may not be 100%).

I'd like to see us get a win but, I'd happily take a win next week instead

Johnstone out this weekend (cheers for that Hardaker). But a host of players back in including Hampshire, Crowther and Kershaw.

Hampshire coming back is good news but, where will he play ?
He could play FB, in the halves or on the wing.

If we are to try and make the Jowitt/Miller partnership work, they have to be playing together as often as possible
.

Jowitt not in the team this week so I assume Rocky is 7

I think Gigot will play 6, Hampshire full back and Kershaw on the wing. I presume Walker and Green are injured and surely with the current no scrums Batchelor would be a better option than Kirmond but he just doesn’t appear to be in favour.

Did he pick up an injury or has he been "demoted" again.
The poor lad busts a gut, time and time again and yet, seems to be the first one on the "cull" list, every time.

Hasn't Chester stated that they'll both get their chances to show what they can do??

Maybe this weekend gives Rocky a chance to show - with the better option then getting the gig for the more important Cup game the following week????

Also, with the number of fixtures, why not rotate them?

Strange one, I would have thought you'd still have him in the 21 man squad as a backup if he wasn't going to make the starting 17.

Squad is:

Tupou
Lyne
Miller
Fifita
Wood K
Arona
Ashurst
Kirmond
Westerman
Pitts
Kopczak
Tangata
Crowther
Wood J
Croft
Kershaw
Hampshire
Tanginoa
Navarette
Kay
Gigot

Although I agree that we will have to rotate all of the squad in order to get through the number of fixtures, chopping and changing a new HB combination isn't going to help anyone.
Of all of the positions, the two halves need to be playing together as often as possible.

Er, maybe to see who's "best suited?"
How else could you do it???

I dont think you can find your best HB combination by changing each week, that's for sure and as I said, it always seems to be Jowitt that is first for the chop and tbf, I thought he went ok last week.
Having said that, I like Hampshire and he has some different tricks up his sleeve but, ultimately, we need a settled pair of HS's, who understand one another's game and get the best options for the side.

Didn't Max get a head knock though?? I thought he went well too and assumed he'd be in the squad, maybe it's something to do with that?

In view of the sudden announcement are Catalan based in the U.K. or do they fly in. If it is the latter we could have more problems because they will not be able to go home.

Quote ="Scarlet Pimpernell"In view of the sudden announcement are Catalan based in the U.K. or do they fly in. If it is the latter we could have more problems because they will not be able to go home.'" They are based in France and fly in. They are exempt from the quarantine. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/53723299

Quote ="Scarlet Pimpernell"In view of the sudden announcement are Catalan based in the U.K. or do they fly in. If it is the latter we could have more problems because they will not be able to go home.'" They are based in France and fly in. They are exempt from the quarantine. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/53723299

Our cup game against Catalans is now on BBC 1

Earlier kick off at 1430, still on Saturday.

Gigot at FB, Miller and Rocky in the halves and Kershaw in for Tom, Ashurst and Westerman both back.. https://twitter.com/SuperLeague/status/ ... 96/photo/1

Gigot at FB, Miller and Rocky in the halves and Kershaw in for Tom, Ashurst and Westerman both back.. https://twitter.com/SuperLeague/status/ ... 96/photo/1

Sloppy start...

Cricket score on the cards