Squad named:

Jamie Shaul
Mahe Fonua
Carlos Tuimavave
Josh Griffin
Albert Kelly
Marc Sneyd
Scott Taylor
Mark Minichiello
Gareth Ellis
Jake Connor
Chris Green
Jordan Thompson
Danny Washbrook
Steve Michaels
Sika Manu
Jansin Turgut
Jack Downs
Brad Fash
Jez Litten

No Talanoa, Bowden, Watts, Houghton (still).

I expect Houghton to play mate and maybe Bowden

Houghton wont play

Shaul
Fonua
Carlos
Connor
Micheals
Kelly
Sneyd
Taylor
Washbrook
Green
Manu
Mini
Ellis

Tomo
Fash
Turgut
Litten

Strange that Houghton was nearly fit last week (According to Radford and Pearson), but still not right this week.

Imagine that squad minus Taylor and Manu for the week after.

RFL might as well scrap the naming of squads as it's a totally pointless exercise.

Agreed.

Would it be worth putting Griffin on the bench and use him in the forwards? Just a thought

Not sure his defence is good enough for the backrow, Carlos could do a spell there though, but the backs for once look strong and I don't see the need to be moving people about, time to trust in the young kids, they haven't let us down so far.

Agree re the backs as think we look much better with Connor in the backs than Griffin, just think his size and ability to gain metres might be an option for him to be on the bench to be used as a forward.

I would consider him on the wing, big lad more pace than micheals and help the forwards out,

Definitely not as fast as Michaels.
I agree with Chris might be worth having him on the bench and playing him as a second row with a view to the Widnes game as we look to be really lightweight for that game and he has something to prove.
Wont get back into the centre on current form of Connor and Tuimavave.

Griffin is faster than Michaels, I've never seen Michaels score a try or make a 50 metre break without getting caught whilst Griffin has.

Saying that thought Michaels had a decent game on Sunday including a massive part in the winning try, so keeps his place for now.

Worrying that houghton still isn't back. Let's hope he hasn't done any more damage in training this week. They can't expect washbrook to play the full 80 again so need someone to spell him. I can see us losing this one given the massive effort on sunday and the injuries and suspension we have

Hoped Radford will clarify the Houghton situation, wonder if he is out longer than first thought and we did look at Chase?

Agree with you Jake about Friday, they look just about full strength and have key players back, despite not playing well they are finding ways to win, not feeling it for Friday

It will take a monster effort to get a win on Friday with a depleted squad and short turnaround given that the guys gave their all on Sunday.
Dont think this is the game for Litten.
We need a bit of size on the bench.I would include Griffin on the bench and give him a run in the second row
Expect to see Jamie Shaul and Carlos used again to provide an alternative and a bit more speed at the play the ball.

Griffin bench 2nd row and no Litten? I really hope not.

Griffin is a wing/centre and Litten has to play.

Shaul
Michaels
CT
Connor
Fonua
Kelly
Sneyd
Taylor
Washy
Green
Mini
Manu
Ellis

Litten
Thompson
Turgut
Fash

Though I too think Houghton will play.

Houghton is 70/30 and is running but needs to pass tests on his calf at the club

Still cant understand not recalling Hadley, he could have at least spelled with Washbrook and provided some cover.

Think Litten on the bench wouldnt be a bad idea imo, put him up against dwyer when he as his spell. Give the young kid a challenge , see how he goes. After Sundays effort, its going to be a tough ask, still think we could do them though

Griffin used as a forward from the bench is utterly laughable, no thank you, square pegs round holes again, aside from the fact he couldn't tackle a hot dinner.
At least the suggestion of bulking up Yeaman a few seasons ago and playing him as a second row forward from the bench had a little merit, Griffin, just no.

I'd have Litten instead of Washbrook starting, we need his speed with Washy coming on to spell or cover another forward.
dunno if it was mind games but there was no chance of Houghton making the Cas game, whatever the situation we need to be firing with as much passion as we did against Cas and playing with our heads from minute one as it should be for all games.
We have being proper jeckyll and hyde this season.

Not been funny but michaels didn't have a great game at all. Scramble defence around him saved him a few time due to going on utter walk about. Costly error cost a try. He jumped high and gathered a kick and did the basics youd want any wing to do. Personally I think he's gonna be a target for wire based on some of his recent errors. I'd go Griffin for sure

INOUT

There was every chance of houghton playing v cas. Got to near game and he called it himself. Said it disn't feel right. Guess it's same this week
Day after injury the initial diagnosis was 6 to 8. Looks pretty much right

I'm not Michaels biggest fan, but think you are being a bit harsh, lots of players missed tackles and where out of place on Sunday, but for me that's down to have 12 men and fatigue.

It's been a feature for weeks. 3 tries scored on his outside v wire. The Hall try from a dead play and not having a hand on him will not be beaten this year for worst try conceded. Then there's errors. Tackle 1 drop other day. Conceded try 2 tackles later
Fonua been bad for errors. But he's got a break try offload outta no where in him. Massive metres and general x factor. Michaels lack of x factor doesn't justify being 110%er . Hard working honest players were all we could ask for as a middling team. We want to challenge now.
GriffIn is the new nearest to a scapegoat we have now. He's missed a couple of tries granted. But basically anything left side conceded is his fault. Mini has lots of errors pens and line jumps in him..Sneyd is not a strong defender and centre wing combo hasn't had chance to blend. All factors. Last year people on here would try have you believe right side was terrible and again the centres got the blame. Yet this year solid with same men almost
Griffin is faster than micheals. .got an offload in him and prior to leeds game was our best metre a carry by about a metre over Fonua. So I'd use these attributes on the wing.

Gotta agree I'd like to see griffin given a go on the wing. Just adds that something extra and has defo got more pace. Saying that am not knocking Michaels