Certainly the toughest game of the season on paper. Boys in the cryochamber and we have Naulago, Green, Hadley, Fash and possibly Brown to rotate. One eye on the Wakey game as well, interesting to see our approach after the procession in today's second half.

Supreme effort last Saturday, backed up today. I suspect a game too far on Monday and retribution against Wakey next week. FC put a lot into defence today. Not expecting them to lie down but give it a good dig, bit like the cup last season. Mark Sneyd is back to his brilliant best. The way he organised the line both attack and defence was excellent.

Bienek if fit surely must get a game as we rotate the squad,but hasnt been mentioned.
With Ratu back probably move Jack Logan back to centre and give Tuimavave a break
Maybe Connor Scott will play at left centre.
Expect Connor,Sneyd and Kelly selected but rotated again
Forwards coming in Hadley,Thompson,Fash and possibly Brown.

Definitely give some of the reserve players a go. They're a tough side to beat no matter what teams we both put out. Make sure our star larkers are fit and ready to go against Wakey next week cause that is a game we really could do with winning. We're not gonna catch Saints but we need to be aiming to finish above Wakey

Let's hope they rest half a dozen of their best players like they did against rovers. Rest whoever we can and be fresher for the wakey game for me

I’d like to see us go all out , best team without risking any knocks. Really would make a statement and keep the winning momentum going , if we win of course , wouldn’t like to see us just roll over , and I’d be surprised if saints put a much weaken team out

Washbrook starting at 2nd row on Monday

free hit for me, we've done well since the warrington debacle. we're a bit ahead of where i thought we would be at this stage, so hopefully they'll go and give it a bit of a go, especially as we have a bit of a break until next sunday afters

Watching the game on tv I was able to be a little bit more analytical
The knock ons will really let us down against a much better team
Completion rates are the basic starting point but seem elusive most of the time
Best of luck on Monday for FC and I would play only players who are 100% fit and would live to see younger players in and NO Ellis

I would be greatly surprised if any team went to Saints and came away with the points. So, from that perspective I think we have a free hit on Monday. Keeping a clean bill of health is more important so that we can put out our strongest team for the Wakey game.

Saints going stronger than we are. Made 4 changes to their squad and 3 are due to injuries. We have made 6. Surprised not to see Bienek in though, I thought he might have been given a shot.
Although as we know the 19 squad isnt always entirely representative of the final 17.

Squad:

2. Bureta Faraimo
3. Carlos Tuimavave
6. Albert Kelly
7. Marc Sneyd
8. Scott Taylor
11. Dean Hadley
12. Mark Minichiello
13. Joe Westerman
14. Jake Connor
15. Chris Green
16. Jordan Thompson
19. Masi Matongo
20. Brad Fash
21. Sika Manu
24. Jack Logan
28. Jez Litten
32. Cameron Scott
33. Ratu Naulago
36. Connor Wynne

Danny Houghton, Josh Griffin, Jordan Lane, Mickey Paea, Gareth Ellis and Jack Brown drop out of the derby 19.

Probably inevitable when they're running a much smaller squad.

19+4 doesn't leave many more squad players to chose from.

Based on squad numbers, we've both got 7 players outside the "17".

Like the look of that squad , just need someone step to take the leading by example mantel from ellis

Think we’re too light up front for Saints. They’ll just hope we don’t get mullered.

With Green back only short of one front row.Expect Fash will take the other spot
Surprised Bienek and Washbrook not named.
Backline of Ratu,Logan,Tuimavave and Faraimo
Bench Kelly,Green,Fash,Hadley
If Manu is rested then Hadley to second row and Thompson on the bench

Keep hold of the ball,cut out the penalties and turn them round with kicks into the in goal and we will win.

Washy got a calf strain in training this morning

Any news from training about Bienek?
seems to be way down the pecking order now

is it salary cap ? because the lad is a big unit and imo derserves a go,

isnt bienek on loan at batley for the season and cant be recalled?

Holbrook doesn’t rotate unless he has to, he played the same 17 last Easter Monday iirc. Saints will have Percival, Fages, Taia, LMS missing through injury, Costello who would probably fill in for Percival normally injured, and Swift and Douglas whom seem to be the forgotten men of St.Helens who no one knows quite what’s going on with (may be injured, may be on loan).

I suspect we will start with Smith with Roby on the bench, and one of Thompson or Walmsley may be rested with Amor and Ashworth not playing on Monday.

It was for a month initially to build up fitness. I hear they want him to increase his work rate

Free hit for me after that derby victory. Saints are the best team in the league so it’s a big ask.

There are usually one or two unexpected results over the Easter period. We could join Salford!

That would explain his match against Wakey at Springhead, why he kept going to acting half, he looked good Wilde 3, thought he may get a go over Easter.