With Falloon possibly still not fully fit Mac may start Burrow at 9 (captain) with Lilley at 7 and Sutty at 6 (if he has recovered from injury?)

Aye that might be it....gives him then the perfect excuse for dropping Burrow back to the bench in favour of Faloon for the Cowboys match; keeping Lilley at 7

Are Lilley and Sutcliffe capable of leading the team around the field yet? They're both quite inexperienced. Granted, they have to learn sometime but I'd be wary of putting too much on their shoulders too soon. I think having Burrow on the field is important. I think some underrate his value to the team.

Some?

Understatement of the year contender.

I'd probably agree with you, if we were talking about the 2009-11 Burrow. We're not though.

It's a long time since he's even been asked to take a side around the field, certainly for a number of consecutive games. He's always had either a Sinfield or a McGuire at the side of him to do that and let him do the other bits of the game he's done so well.

Lilley's game management was impressive against the Kiwis at the back end of last season and continued to be so when he had the chance to play in the halves in pre-season. IMO he's wasted at hooker, he's an organiser with a big voice on him even for one so young and a proficient goal-kicker.

He's going to be the future at 7 for Leeds IMO, and I'd have no hesitation picking him to play there ahead of Burrow right now.

There is a difference to his value to the team, and leading the team around. He can't do the leading, he can do the other, and that is what is spoken about. Example was last Friday, he had a really good game, but it wasn't moving the team around, it was in other areas.

Lilley by contrast has been dumped in the deep end at times, and really takes control when he is on the field, making a difference.

Good post Andy. Well summed up.

Lilley is too raw to be out there for the full 80. I would start with
6 Sutcliffe
7 Burrow
9 Faloon
14 Lilley

Lilley to come on for Burrow in the 1st half, Burrow for Faloon in the 2nd half.

Why is he too raw to play for 80 minutes? You pick halfbacks with a view to them playing the whole game or not at all.

FWIW I haven't seen much sign of Burrow being an organising halfback in his whole career. McGuire started to develop those skills a few years ago and still isn't there. Lilley OTOH looks a natural leader and organiser, which especially with Sutcliffe the likely 6 must be the way to go.

The whole "too raw" "too young" "no experience" argument is complete b-llocks. Always has been always will be.

How do those who say that expect him to progress as a player if he isn't playing? If they look good enough. Stick them in and let them play. Lilley looks the real deal. Let's give the kid chance to show us all his talents.

After the successes of last season and the departure of a number of experienced players, 2016 is almost a "free hit" for Leeds.

They can blood some young players at a time when expectations are probably at the lowest they've been for a while. If it means finishing 4th or 5th now in order to be significantly better in 2017 and onwards, then fair enough.

Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. Variables like position, opposition, number of appearances so far, other selection options etc. mean not every decision is the same.

In this instance though I think Lilley could do the 80.

Imagine Lilley playing a full game against Thurston. What a fantastic unique once in a lifetime experience that would be for him. And Sutty for that matter.

You never win nowt with kids - lol

Got my tickets for Sunday, nice to have an away Sunday game.

Always tricky at Widnes (banana skin) have to play better than last week or another loss.

Hope Lilley gets a start.