I think he gets wound up more easily and the chance of his offload is reduced playing in bigger games, but I do think he is worth a punt. He always runs it in hard and his defence isn't too bad either.

Which Kirke, the new one or the old one?

both

I think Moore offers potentially more than Kirke, though that includes errors and missed tackles I think. In a big game do you need solid or spectacular?

Also, with Leuluai, Bailey, Peacock & Griffin already likely for the squad, Kirke has the ability to play second row in his favour.

In my opinion, i would drop JJB to the bench (his defence lately has been abysmal) and play ward at second row.

1. Hardaker
2. BJB
3. Watkins
4. Ablett
5. Hall
6. Sinfield
7. Burrow
8. Leulai
9. Lunt
10. Griffin
11. Delaney
12. Ward
13. Bailey

14.Moore
15.Keinhorst
16.Peacock
17. JJB

We have to start with a bang and need our creative players on for the maximum time. With McGuire out we need both Ward and Burrow on the field as pivotal players. For me I would start with Burrow at 9 as usual with Ward in the half backs where I guess he will interchange with Sinfield and play at 6 for much of the game. I believe Ward is wasted in the 2nd row.

I think Bailey will play much of the game at 13 and as in recent games will really be a 3rd prop with a role to tighten our ruck defence to allow Burrow at 9 the freedom to wander.

We have to close down Briers and starve him of kicking space and JJB has the pace to be first on him.

Nice thoughts Juan. Left the stats at home? Nice to see.

Where have you been hiding?

I disagree about Ward being wasted in the 2nd row, partly because it's all a bit notional and they can shift him round on defence and attack, but mostly because it gives us some real ball handling skill in the 2nd row, which adds to the attacking threat.

I agree about closing down the space for Briers, and I could see an argument for swapping JJB for Delaney for that reason. Mainly though if we want to deny him space we need to win some collisions and slow the ruck down as much as possible when Wire have the ball. If we don't do that, Briers will have all the time he needs whoever we pick in the back row.

I think Keinhorst's chances are dependent on how McDermott plans to use Ward during the game. If Ward is started in the halves and stays there (with Burrow and Lunt interchanging at hooker) then we need Ablett to switch to the back row at some point to make up for Ward's absence there which opens the door for Keinhorst. If Burrow is playing at scrum half and Ward plays a bit of Loose and Second Row then Ablett can probably stick to centre.

As for Moore, unlucky but as I've said before his inclusion would leave us too prop heavy in our 17 with Leuluai, Peacock, Bailey, Griffin and Kirke all likely picks. For that reason I'd go for Clarkson as a back row player on the bench ahead of him.
I'm also thinking Griffin might be planned to do some long minutes after getting the rest last week over the likes of Leuluai.

Hardaker
BJB
Watkins
Ablett
Hall
Ward
Sinfield
Leuluai
Burrow/Lunt (depending on Burrow's calf)
Peacock
JJB
Delaney
Bailey

Lunt/Burrow
Griffin
Kirke
Clarkson/Keinhorst (depending on above scenario)

interesting looking at the picture that the kit man has just posted on Twitter. Think its as clear as day that there is a six in there. https://twitter.com/glynnbell65/status/ ... to/1/large

interesting looking at the picture that the kit man has just posted on Twitter. Think its as clear as day that there is a six in there. https://twitter.com/glynnbell65/status/ ... to/1/large

Interesting! Has the kitman made a blunder and shown a shirt he should not have!!

Oh I agree ...but I've given up trying to comprehend what Kirke offers over the likes of Moore etc and accept he is more likely to feature. Somebody in the last selected 17 had to make way for Burrow and of Kirke/Moore, one def had to be made to step aside.

Interesting if McGuire is actually fit and ready to play. Under those circumstances I would reluctantly accept Keinhorst won't feature.

I've zoomed in on my phone and that's defiantly a 6!

On Look North Danny said he was treating as a normal week so will be travelling down with the squad as normal, so i would expect a full kit will be part of that.

surely if he wasnt injured the club would have sent somebody else to look north and radio leeds to keep him away from the media