Unsure on this one TBH. Obst and Horne seem to playing well and working really well together, but sounded at times like Washy wasn't doing a great job at hooker. We need Houghton to playing at his best, so I would be tempted to put Long and Horne in the halves and Obst rotating with Houghton. Can always get Long off if it isn't working so well.

All on for Longy now, will be his biggest test for him to up his game since he's been here.

Obst is a perfect bench player so it would make sense to use him there but if only if Long is 100% fit.

He hasn't provided in all his other starts why do you expect Long to now start kicking well for us??? I have always held the belief that no player should expect to walk back into the team. Especially when the person covering their spot plays well. For me it is now Obst position to lose and Long's to win it back.

Think the same, but it's the first chance Long has had proper half back compeition since he has been here. Might be the kick up the backside and competition he needs.

obst came to haven as a number 7 and played very well there www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSIdXcXv52Q

obst came to haven as a number 7 and played very well there www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSIdXcXv52Q

Long is not interested anymore that's plainly obvious so why should he walk straight in and play,when he does it's a lacklustre performance

Harsh. How do you work that out?

I tend to agree he doesn't seem to have that buzz this season , when longy started last season in horney's testomonial and saints away he had that cockyness and bit of cheek he looked fired up haven't seen that in him for a while

Exactly what we have to do. On his day when fit Long is a world class 7. He has to play when fit. Obst is playing very well at 7 but lets not get carried away, he was brought in to spell Houghton and that's still what we desperately need him to do.

On his day - how many has he had for fc ?

How many times has he been allowed the opportunity to get himself fit when we've not been forced to rush him back?

True mate but I just think Obst has done a really good job at 7 and the team has improved when he has being in the team .

How I see it too. Long was OK against KR - probably one of our better players that day despite having no pack to play behind for most of the match. As you say Obst was hired first and foremost to play hooker and he and Houghton could be very good swapping around that role.

Long to start on bench. Horne 6 Obst 7. Obst to spell Houghton and Long to cover scrum half while Houghton's off.

Apart from anything else - it's Long's first game back from [ianother[/i injury. He needs protecting and keeping fit for the back end of the season.

TBH I feel our hand is again a bit forced. I don't see any other real option but to put Long back at 7 and have Obst cover 9 with Houghton.
It sounded like we lost a lot of direction and momentum when Houghton went off on Sunday. Washbrook just doesn't cut it at hooker.

Obst and Long for me. Then we might actually have something resembling a kicking game.

Horne has to play. Seems like he is getting some form back and he offers us a good short kicking game.

suprised he hasnt been crucified for telling spinmaster Rule the truth n they say honesty is the best pollicy.

To be honest I don't think he told Rule anything really.

Is Long actually fit for Friday?

Not definite I don't think.

Will let you all know if he is training after tomo morning.

Longs kicking game has been the worst aspect of his game while here IMO, has been average at best and I remember a few games were it's been poor, as a 34 year old you would expect the opposite but Long has looked best for us playing his natural game, when he runs at players he still looks dangerous and is still quick off the mark, for me though ith the responsibility he has been given and that he was our marquee signing hasn't done quite enough in my opinion.

I don't think you can look at it from a position by position POV, it has to be in the context of the team as a whole. If all are fit then Horne & Long with Houghton and Obst rotating looks stronger than Horne & Obst with Houghton and Washbrook rotating IMHO.

Definatley, the way I see it aswell.