There's time for Gentle to examine him over the next three games though, we still have cover if he's not willing to take the gamble. Just seems a shame to waste him, the little I've seen this season he performed okay and could get better with some steady game time.

Be nice not to end up in a situation where we're playing a hooker at fullback

Depends how Shaul goes but it could be one massive opportunity for him. If Horney was fit for Wembley I'd play him for his proven ability and experience (he's used to playing at Wembley on return from a long injury) but if not I'd be tempted to play Shaul at FB at Wembley IF he shows good form between now and then.

Great shame for McDonnell, he's been a great signing and one of the top performers this year.

Has to be be Horne at full back if at all possible.

Shaul at full back in such a huge game would be a major gamble, could be inspired.

This.

IMO the worst thing we could do is not play Shaul for the next few weeks, and then end up needing him to play.

I think its a bit early to be comparing Jamie Shaul to Shaun Edwards. He's played two first team games, against Wakey and Crusaders.

McDonnell is out for the season and Horne is obviously still unfit so let's see how Shaul goes against Widnes and possibly Rovers.

If Horne is fit for the Final it would be madness to leave him out.

No brainer for me Shaul comes into the 17 for the Widnes game and he has 3 games to show Gentle he is worth a spot in Wembley 17 or not.

If we dont give the young players the opportunity and go back to putting square pegs in round holes we will never progress or compete, Shaul is a FB and should be given the chance to replace our injured FB otherwise why have young lads if we are not going to play them in their positions when an injury/opening occurs?

Feel for Shannon as he has done well for us.

Gutted for Shannon, had a good season.

But

Door now open for Shaul, and he's looked good so why not.

And there is always Sir Rich just in case.

Sad for Shannon but we will cope.

That's brushing it off rather lightly I'd say.
Top tackle buster only to Tompkins in the whole league, n Tompkins n handbury only fullbacks to make more metres n only 16 errors in the whole season which must be among the lowest in his position. It's a blow if he's out. Shaul would need to be solid defensively/highball etc, n generally sensational to get selected for Wembley. Horne will do a great job but still won't provide what Shannon has this yr

Gutted for Shannon.

If fit I would play Horne there, good for Gentle too as it means he doesn't have to pick two from three at halfback.

Thats a bad deal for McDonnell, he must be gutted

I would not bank on Horney being back before the final or even the end of the season the injury is taking a long time to heal.

A common problem with Diabetes

So lets give the young lad a run out

Jamie - Played 2 Won 2 Tries 5

That's some record. For me he should have the next 3 matches to prove he's the man for the job. Good luck to him.

I feel bad for McDonnell to be missing the final after all the hard work he has put in this season. I was a bit uncertain about him when we signed him from Rovers - I knew he was good in attack but I was unsure about him under the high ball - but he's proven to be very safe and has really impressed me.

It's now up to Shaul to claim his place in the team for the remainder of the season. We know he has quality - he showed that in his last game - now he just needs to show consistency.

Shaul has to prove in the next few games that he's a better choice than Horne for fullback in the final.

.. and here's me thinking you meant Peter Bateson/Arthur Keegan.

Terrible news for McDonnel, possibly his last chance of a Wembley appearanace, and apart from the odd game has been quality all season, bad loss for us.

Agree Shaul should get chance to prove himself and Gentle has confirmed he will start at FB on Friday, Horne injury still has no time scale and PG stated he would want him playing at least one game before Wembley to be considered at FB. Whiting IMO has to play from the bench at Wembley for utility value.

Regarding Shaul's record I'd disregard the cup game against NW Crusaders, but he was impressive in his one SL game away at Wakey, hope we see that kind of form on Fri night

Far from it , But we are in a better position to cope with these situations now than in previous seasons !.

That's true. Bit worried Horne won't make it. He doesn't know himself how long he'll be. Derby game could be good for shaul if he's to bag a Wembley spot. He'd get bombed, smashed n tested to the max in that.
Whiting did a job the other day but we need pace n attacking threat from full back really.

Me too. This is a real opportunity for him to stake his claim

Massive, massive opportunity for Shaul. I hope he can make it pay and give us a selection headache.

Jamie Shaul please. Sick of this square pegs and round holes nonsense at Hull FC. Other clubs - Wigan, Leeds - I see a player getting injured and a kid I've never heard of replacing him. Last time we went to Wembley our half backs were Tommy Lee (mediocre hooker) and Danny Washbrook (sack of nothing). Shannon McDonnell is our full back and if he's injured then Jamie Shaul is our full back and that's how it should be.

I'm surprised you guys wouldn't want Whiting in at fullback again to replace McDonnell. Of course you've seen far more of him than I have but I thought he was fantastic on Sunday.

gutted for Shannon hope the injury nightmare stays away now for everyone else hope his world cup for Ireland is ok

I'd like him at full back. But saying that i'd like him to play in every position. However, Jamie Shaul had a great run in the team and is an up coming talent. For instance miles away yet but he could be our new Sam Tomkins. Great speed and awareness. 3 Games to prove he's up for Wembley, if not Sir Whiting will slot in.

Horne is himself a good full back n a pivot player of which we could probably do with.
Shaul will get a chance this week maybe next few but unless he's unbelievably amazing then cannot see how you would pick him over Horne in a Wembley final. Leeds Wigan do pick young uns, never seen them do it in the really big games n finals though.

To be ultra critical he missed 2 bombs,gave away n intercept, got away with another intercept and lacked the pace to get to the ball for waterhouses try. All generally because as good a job he did in tough times he isn't a full back. One of the above errors repeated could be the difference between winning and losing. Ultra critical of him I know but full back a pretty key position these days. If we lose the game you can bet their full back will be a massive reason why.
To me losing Shannon is a massive blow!

great point, ive said it for years, square pegs in round holes and all that... when someone is injured it should be a like-for-like replacement from within your squad, and not shifting players around to accomodate...
thats the problem great britain has had for years, playing people out of the natural position.......
asif rich horne played wing for gb???!!!! and they wonder why we cant beat the kagaroos....the mind boggles