I was one for dropping Briscoe once Hardaker returned but TBF he did have an improved showing vs HKR last week.

jjb will definately be playing on thursday unless he pulls up late in training
as you have pointed out sal his obvious lack of match fitness will be exactly the reason that he will be back against cas
apparently mac wants jjb back to full fitness by semi final time against warrington
to make you feel better sal let's expect jjb to be blowing out of his ar5e and doing big minutes these next 3 sl games,unless your rugby gods get him injured again:
maybe mac sees something more than you do in jjb's performances and thinks we need him out there for the big games?
the penalty count will surely go through the roof this week so that will clearly suit your agenda sal

on another note sal i actually thought that your "man crush" had a very good game against hull kr

In the big games a coach will want his proven experienced players as first choices. JJB has been an integral part of our success over the years and more recently has been unlucky with injuries. However it would be right to give him some game time to prove his fitness. A fit and in-form JJB would be make the starting 13 for most SL sides.

I would keep Delaney as a starting prop at the expense of Bailey & Kirke as he offers so much more than these two added together. This would allow us to start with Achurch, Ablett and JJB in the back row. On the bench you could have Burrow/Aiton, Kylie, Sutcliffe and Walters. Walters is due a rest but for this one he offers better impact from the bench than playing Bailey or Kirke although they both need game time to get fit. With JP & Delaney able to play long minutes I think playing a 4th prop with a poor go forward game has no advantage over more mobile back rowers who provide better attacking options.

If fit I would play BJB on the wing for Briscoe for this one.

The Salford or Bradford games coming up round the corner look a better opportunity all round for JJB to come back.

As for Delaney I preusme we'll see him back in the backrow/'loose' with Kylie and JP starting props. Another Millington v Kylie battle wets the chops!

JC-You think after so long out Jjb should start?
Not only that but also along with Achurch who himself is just back after a recent lay off?
Whilst I'm all for Delaney playing Prop again and I get the point about the Coach wanting his seasoned pros involved as much as poss but imo there's no way Jjb should start this game will start very fast and in these conditions I think we should bring Jjb off the bench in this one.

Sutcliffe & Walters both playing in U19's curtain raiser about to kick off

1 Zak Hardaker
20 Tom Briscoe
3 Kallum Watkins
4 Joel Moon
5 Ryan Hall
6 Danny McGuire
13 Kevin Sinfield (c)
8 Kylie Leuluai
9 Paul Aiton
10 Jamie Peacock
14 Stevie Ward
12 Carl Ablett
15 Brett Delaney

Subs
19 Mitch Achurch
7 Rob Burrow
16 Ryan Bailey
11 Jamie Jones-Buchanan

Strong team. Not sure why they even bothered announcing a 19-man squad though...

Looks much better. Said other day I couldn't understand why Wardy not ahead of Walters, so glad to see the change of mind.

Classy Leeds fan!!

That's Andy Gilder I'd assume?

I'm pretty sure he's from Bradford anyway

Thought it was the best ref performance we've had for several games tbh.

Wasn't any other decision he could make regarding Sinfield and the ludicrous "obstruction" no try for Cas was made by Bentham (who seems to be the worst for this particular rule out of all the refs when he's VR.......be careful what you wish for when you ask for "consistency" from the refs)

I thought the ref allowed Cas too much time laying on. Also why is Carney allowed to walk into the markers as he plays the ball without a penalty?

Perhaps a fair result to a very good display from Cas. However had Sinfield not seen red we should have won it. Watkins looks well off the boil and Hardaker was a bit too greedy and never showed his previous form.

I don't understand the Watkins is off the boil comment. He was outstanding last week. I just wish he tried to involve himself more in the game. He doesn't have to spend the whole game in the centres, his pace and footwork could be devastating in the middle.