It didn't do Leeds any favours either as they went on to lose both cup finals.

You pick the best players in the best form. Clarkson > Eastwood easily and Saturday did nothing to change that opinion.

I too fear Bluey's relationship with Eastwood might hand him a cup final jersey I, for one, would rather be given to someone who has earned it/wants it.

You have doubts that a Leeds squad player would want it?

I agree they should go to the best 17 players who have earned it.

If Keiron Cunningham had run over Greg Eastwood to score as easily as he he did Chris Clarkson, then Christ knows what would happen on this forum.

This is nothing against Clarkson, Cunningham's run over plenty of others in his time, just pointing out a bit of selective vision. As it happens, when Cunningham *did* run at Eastwood, he was stopped dead.

Cunningham has done it to better players than a young back-rower and if we are going by that reckoning Clarkson did'nt try a stupid flick off load without looking into a Saints players mits which cost us to be 10 pts down at half time.
Just to add Burrow was as culpable for the try as Clarkson.

I did say it was nothing against Clarkson, and I'll add that it's pretty daft positioning having your smallest player and least experienced player defending the ruck together with KC at dummy-half a yard out. I was just saying that if it *was* Eastwood not Clarkson we'd be hearing a lot more about about it given the agendas it suits.

Mate Eastwood has made this himself no-one else it's not about agendas he does'nt want to be here,played ordinary in a semi-final and people are saying someone like Clarkson should miss out who's had a great 1st year,is in form and is committed to the club.
FWIW all the squad have had various criticisim at some point this year in terms of their performances so it's hardly a witch hunt.

Just to clarify, I'd pick Clarkson over either Ali or Eastwood at the moment.

All this debate around who we should play in the final is fairly irrelevent until we find out who is fit and available the week before. Given our track record this year there may be a no brainer in selection as we pick the only 17 fit guys we have.

But having said that, for me if Ali and Eastwood are fit they play. They are internationals who have shown up as such during the times they have been fit this year. Ali was by far our most dangerous attacking player at the start of the season and was putting himslef about in dfence as well and Eastwood has looked the business as well when at full fitness. There is no better 2nd row in the competition at turning a big game than Ali. If he gets a couple of games in before the final and comes through well then he's got to play. Sentimentality is pointless if you lose, but likewise selecting on reputation rather than fitness can also be disasterous.
I think Clarkson and even Ambler could both hold up their hands for a spot and I don't think either would let us down, Clarkson looks a tremendous prospect and on Ablett's form I think he is the one who should be worried about his place.

I agree it is selective, but exceptions are often made for young players that try their guts out.

Eastwoods most memorable contributions in that game were giving a try on a plate to saints then knocking on in the 2nd half.

You might even say it's a pointless thread at this time.

Yeah but we also know he can 'destroy' forwards (Bradford) and both he and Ali can change a game off the bench. Tough on Clarkson AND Ambler who I rate highly....BUT their time will come.
However, as I think others have stated, it's all irrelevant now because anything could happen between now and the CC final date.

Given his size, running over or around Greg Eastwood is pretty time consuming, even standing on "one leg" he is effective as a roadblock for the opposition

I agree it would be difficult to leave him out if he does that.

Not sure on Clarkson's game-time on Saturday but I think he played the first 40 straight for starters. That would be more than Lauitiiti has managed in the last couple of months combined and that's a worry.

And how do you do that when the game is played at such speed, there is no time to start moving defenders about when you are on your own line.

I think you are barking up the wrong tree to be honest, Clarkson or Burrow do not have the size to defend the line against Cunningham but they would bust a gut trying too.

Ali and eastwood should play as much as fitness allows prior to the final. My preference would be to pick one of them, depending on the form they show in the meantime. I accept that both have the ability to change a game; my worry is that neither has sufficient mobility or stamina to restrict Warrington's attacking style if that's what's needed. Picking both would be too much of a gamble IMO.

True. It's not going to be an easy call.

Without the injuries would we have got the chance to seen Clarkson this year?

Some crank no the BBC forums thinks we are going to do a swap for Eastwood and bring back Sam Burgess. Do these people wake up sniffing glue or are they really tall and just constantly have their head in the clouds?

Don't know tbh mate the intention was rotation with the squad this year before the injuries took a hold so who knows maybe not but he could of ended up on loan.
Every cloud and all that.

A slightly more believable rumour is that the girlfriend of a former Leeds player is finding it difficult to settle in a new country with a young baby and is hankering after a move back to the UK...

Every cloud etc. Injuries this year have allowed the coaches to take a good look at some of the younger players at first team level. Should pay off down the line.

If the initials are the same I'd have him back in a flash.

If its who i think you are reffering to its a load of rubbish. its actually his chin that is home sick

G.E for G.E or S.B yes please