I appreciate that, but the way injuries and suspensions have worked out it's only been an issue for the last two games.

Delaney and Senior have to my knowledge not yet started in the second row this season.

They may not have been named there on the team sheets but, particularly in the semi final, Senior was so far infield he was almost playing front row!

Our players are versatile and there's very little difference between centre and 2nd row these days. Senior has also played a lot of rugby there in his early Sheffield career.

Would this result in one of JJB/Ablett/Clarkson missing out?

Donald would be my choice.

I think the team will look something like this:

Brent Webb
Ryan Hall
Keith Senior
Brett Delaney
Lee Smith
Danny McGuire
Rob Burrow
Kylie Leuleui
Danny Buderus
Ryan Bailey
Jamie Jones-Buchanan
Carl Ablett
Kevin Sinfield

Matt Diskin
Ian Kirke/Clarkson/Lauititi/Eastwood

I think that Bluey is likely to choose Smith given that he got the nod for the game against Saints.

The last 3 bench spots are where Bluey has truly difficult decisions to make. Keep the young kid who has let no one down, or roll with your mate from NZ? Choose Kirke the plodder (I mean this in a nice way) or gamble with Lauititi's explosiveness?

I do have a feeling that Bluey will select the big names and have Clarkson experience Wembley as the 18th man. Not necessarily the correct decision but I just have a feeling it will happen.

Who'd be a coach?

Smith has to play - look at his record in grand finals (4 tries in 3) - and for me Clarkson would be one of the first picked in the starting line-up. He's been sensational in recent weeks.

It would so you've convinced me, for that reason, it's not on. Straight choice between Donald and Smith and it's a decision I can't make. I feel Wembley and those spaces are made for him (but how many chances will he get outside Delaney anyway) but Smith is a big game player and better under the high ball. As you say, who would be a coach.

If we had Peacock I'd be tempted to start with Donald and have Smith on the bench as cover for 1-5 and an 'X' factor if required. Without Peacock's graft I don't think we can afford that luxury and have to have 4 forwards on the bench. Peacock's absence makes even more important picking a grafter like Clarkson either starting or on the bench.

I've been watching Leeds for a long time, and this is probably the most 'luxury' I can remember in terms of wing options.

At last somebody that agrees with me Smith on the bench. (Donald on the left wing with Senior).

We then need it filling with three BIG game changing forwards two of which should be Ali and Eastwood. That of course means, unfortunately, no place for Diskin who only succeeds in stopping our go forward momentum when on as an interchange.

Clarkson should start and probably play the full 80 as our main grafter if possible.

If you read my post I said I'd have Smith on the bench IF we had Peacock - without him IMO a threequarter on the bench is a luxury we can't afford.

Wonder if the case for Donald may change now..............

I'd go for Donald, simply because at Wembley, he will have the space and he does have the speed to trouble Wire. It'll be his last chance at a cup medal, and I suspect that the thought of finishing his career on a high will be sufficent motivation for him to stretch his legs. And for me at least, he owes us a big performance. Despite missing around half the season with injuries, he was offered an extended contract, which he now looks unlikely to fulfill. A repeat of 07 will do nicely!

Smithy may feel a tad annoyed, possibley with some justification when he thinks about previous Final performances, but sometimes coaches look for consistency in a player, rather than someone who only really produces once a year.

A tough call either way for Bluey