Would start with either King or Kopczak, move Arona to the 2nd row and have Kirmond on the bench.

I thought about that but then thought it might be an idea to try and at least keep something familiar to recent weeks and I think it's worked really well with Kopczak and King playing from off the bench, so if it aint broke and all that? Kirmond has been kept fresh and I actually think in the games he's played this year he's been very good and when setting up defensively I'd have him right edge to help Horo along in the centre.

The hooker is the big one if Wood or Randell don't make it and I think it will be shared between Ashurst and Crowther...although again..when we haven't got the ball I'd like to see Ashurst defending the left edge alongside Arundel to protect Reynolds as much as possible as I'm sure Cas will target him with big MM as they usually do with Miller on that edge...

Would be really nice if all this guesswork was a waste of time though and 2 or 3 of the injured players aren't as bad as first thought and are able to play!

My team to face Cas

Jowitt
MCB
Horo
Arundel
BJB
Hampshire
Reynolds
Fifita
Crowther
Kopczak
Ashurst
Kirmond
Aroma

Rumour has it MC B to sign for rest of season using money from moving on Baldeinson . But then you should not listen to rumours.

Subs
Pauli
Hirst
King
Annakin

Probably not what people want to talk about but when was the last time we beat Cas? Really struggling - was it at theirs when we got the 3 late tries under Webster?

Really need to put that right but clearly going to be up against it.

Cas may well be our new bogey team after we've seemingly broken the Hudds hoodoo. Predicting a Cas win but we thrive in adversity, so you never know

I don't know exactly how busted Cas are because no one ever mentions it - but regardless of that, they are where they are in the table for a reason, and given all the casualties we've racked up, we'll be hard pressed to get over them. Cas win for me - sadly.

Some good news is although charged Pauli Pauli has escaped a ban.

I should think he has - it was a ridiculous decision in the first place.

On the plus side, hooker apart, our pack still looks really good and we shouldn't be getting done up the middle.
However, although Hampshire has been excellent all season, scoring enough points to beat Cas looks difficult with the squad that we "may" have.
I keep hoping that the injuries weren't too bad but, on the basis that we have 2 games in 5 days, we're going to need some kind of miracle over the Easter weekend AND hope that we dont pick up any more injuries.

I'm still seething over the Wigan game and for 1 player to get off scot free and another to cop a 2 game ban is just no consolation, in fact, it's like someone spitting in our collective faces.

Let's get behind whichever side Chester can field and if we can keep the ball among the forwards and get a bit of luck, maybe miracles can happen.

Come on Trin !

Expected the coupon to read maybe -2 Cas or off scratch, you lot get 12 start and are 3/1 outright.

Wood is likely to play on Thursday as well as Lyne which is 2 really big positives for us

Do we just look to post our strongest squad against leeds on Monday?and sort of wright the caps game off ?

we really just need to concentrate on still being in top 5 after Easter 1 win would do that

strongest side of course, which could consist of just about anybody therefore its not like its even an issue, unless you're suggesting we drop the academy off at wheldon rd.

Strongest fit side for me.
It's the 'taking the two' of club management. Play the next game, not the one after that.

Squad named:

Chris Annakin

Tinirau Arona

Joe Arundel

Matty Ashurst

Jordan Crowther

David Fifita

Ryan Hampshire

Keegan Hirst

Justin Horo

Ben Jones-Bishop

Max Jowitt

George King

Danny Kirmond

Craig Kopczak

Reece Lyne

Pauli Pauli

Ben Reynolds

Kyle Wood

And MCB by the looks of it

Anakin always plays well against Cas, be nice to see him get a run.

Cas 19 :-
Castleford Tigers Squad vs Wakefield Trinity – Thursday 18th April
24. Cory Aston
2. James Clare
21. Mitch Clark
5. Greg Eden
11. Oliver Holmes
23. Will Maher
14. Nathan Massey
1. Peter Mata’utia
12. Mike McMeeken
13. Adam Milner
3. Greg Minikin
16. Junior Moors
29. Jacques O’Neill
15. Jesse Sene-Lefao
4. Michael Shenton
34. Daniel Smith
6. Jake Trueman
27. Calum Turner
8. Liam Watts

That trip to Lourdes must have worked wonders for Fifita and Lyne!!

I reckon we have probably more injured now. Think it's 8 unavailable. To lose both halfbacks in the same game is unbelievable! To be fair they are missing both their first choice halves, and have been all season. Millington is a big loss for them. I think the forwards are quite evenly matched, depends whether Woody lasts the full 80, or how long he and Lynne last given they can't be completely right. If we match them up front, then can Rocky and Reynolds cause them enough problems, and control the game?? At least we have cover and back up this season, and Reynolds is a decent goal kicker.....

Fifita wasn't injured, but the attempt was made. Good effort but no cigar.

MCB not being in the squad could change but I'd be ok with Lyne on the wing with Horo inside him.

Team not looking too bad now assuming all 19 named are fit to play

Jowitt
MCB
Arundel
Lynne
BJB
Hampshire
Reynolds
Fifita
Wood
Kopcak
Ashurst
Kirmond
Arona

Subs Crowther ( cover for Wood )
Horo (cover for Lynne )
Pauli
King

Expect Annakin and Hurst will definitely play Monday

Must be the 1st Cas game for a while where Fifita is named in the squad. He usually just surprises everyone (not) when he runs out pre match.

WE look a whole lot stronger than most expected after the Wigan game and with Cas also short on pivots, we may still have a chance here.
Despite our injuries, Trinity will go into the game with confidence, having won 3 on the bounce and with Cas having lost 3 from their last 4, with only a "lucky" win against Wigan to show for their recent efforts, hopefully their confidence will be pretty low.

Actually looking forward to it now.

Come on Trin !

Just a shame Brough and Miller are out, but time for Reynolds and Jowitt to grasp the opportunities in their respective positions.