playing rovers is hardly a stern test of your weaker squad members though

Wigan might not be as safe in the top 4 as we thought. The club seems to be falling apart at the seams with Wanes announcement. The Tomkins brothers video that is doing the rounds makes Kelly look like a gentleman. Players are announcing they are leaving left, right and centre. And on the field that's over 2 and a half hours without a try. With our respective fixtures over the next month we would be breathing down their necks very soon

Wigan really do seem unsettled, wonder if there's more than meets the eye with Wane leaving. Anyone we could sign from them for 2019?

The thought did cross my mind that they might lose their way but unlikely I'd have thought. It will be interesting to see the response.

Not really anyone that would improve us in the positions we would be looking at. Their only good prop is Sutton and he is off the the NRL. I would find a place for Bateman but I reckon he will head down under too.

Yes it will. Their fixtures for the rest of the season look really tricky. They play all of the current top 8 and then Catalans in round 23 when they may need a win to make the 8, plus they are having to shoe horn in their game in hand v Cas during the international break, so will be shorn of a few stars for that one.

It makes our game against them in a couple of weeks really important. If we can turn them over and avoid slip ups against Salford and Widnes you have to say we have every chance of overtaking them.

The media response to rectumgate will be interesting. The woman who appears to be manhandled in the video has reportedly said on Facebook that money changed hands to delete the video..

I agree Joel Tomkins hasn't done himself any favours with that video definitely worse than Kellys

Definitely.

Well, that's almost job done in terms of making the 8. Interesting win for Hudds tonight. Catalans v Widnes an intriguing match up too.

Leeds and Wigan’s loss of form has come at a good time for us, Wigan still have breathing space from their earlier form but even Leeds cant do their usual ‘improve in the summer, peak for the Grand Final’ routine from 7th under this format.

Also other clubs having games in hand may actually help us, we will get a week off at semi final weekend but other teams have games to fit in.

Optimistic we can now stay in touch with the top4 and with bodies back later in the year and no CC distraction who knows

Leeds are drifting into the middle eight dogfight. Be incredible if they go from middle eights to champions to middle eights again.
Very interesting few weeks coming up.

The rearranged Cas v Wigan game is on the weekend of the Denver test when other teams have the week off. Leeds v Catalans is being played the Wednesday before.

Leeds are struggling with form and injuries could well end up slipping in the bottom four again

leeds are 5 points clear of 9th and won't be bottom 4

Hopefully Wigan and Leeds continue to implode and keep us within a shout of the 4 going into the super 8s. Hope we can get some bodies back for the business end.

Think the loss to saints may be a blessing in disguise and will improve our chances of GF. Dont think we would have made that with another Wembley. We need to keep picking up points with the youngsters and at least stay in touch with top4 then will hopefully have a fully fit rested squad available for play offs. This year is good opportunity for GF success.
Keep believing!!!!!!!

Heard a bit of the Leigh - Halifax game.
Sounded a great game. God knows why Sky don't show at least one championship game a week.

The middle 8's will be nip and tuck this year. A couple of Super League teams should be nervous.

Looking like Toronto and Toulouse then a bunfight between Leigh, London, Fev and Halifax. Good competition, SL sides will be hoping Leigh don't make it as it sounds like they have a war chest.

Leigh are really playing catch up after their awful start. Out of the chasing pack, I reckon they'll be the ones who could trouble the super league teams .
Might crash and burn if they don't make it though!

Leigh have budgeted to make the top 4 if they don’t there in trouble the run ins for the top clubs are pretty easy and Leigh have to go to Toronto and Toulouse so not certain they’ll make it from a personal point of view I hope they don’t much prefer having to play Fev Fax or London

I can't see Leigh making it. Then we'll see what "Degsy" does next!

Sounding like we wont need this thread next year as its the end of the road for the Super8’s format.

It hasnt worked in my opinion, the ‘big’ clashes we were meant to get all summer havent materialised, though you can argue the clubs and RFL dont do enough promotion, I also cant forget how dreary 2015 was when we made the 8 but were so far away that it didnt matter, and had to sit through 2-3 home games that meant nothing at all.