Its good that we still have selection headaches with 3 major players out. LOng term thinking should see Sutcliffe at SO. If BJB's form is demanding to be selected, then we would likely see Hardaker or Moon there. Hardaker played there in preseason IIRC, I would imagine that was in preparation for this sort of scenario

Think he played there on Boxing Day basically because there was nobody else - other candidates weren't back in training because they had either been involved in the World Cup or were injured.

looking forward to this one now.

we have wigan x2, cas away, Wire away and hull until we play cup quarter final.will be a tough test for us without both regular choice hookers available.

Well that's one option we didn't think of....

Ablett in the halves

Clarkson starts 2nd row, Sutcliffe (and Bailey) on the bench.

Also, no O'Loughlin for Wigan

Jumbo formation

I think you will still win tonight but Ablett won't help you being in the halves can't understand that at all. Sutcliffe looks like a good half back for his age why isn't he playing there?

moon will play there with ablett in the centre. still odd as you say. why disrupt the best backline in the league when sutcliffe can play there.
perhaps when the game has calmed then it will go back to normal

Awesome display by you guys. Fabulous rugby - best team in the league at the moment by far.

So Ablett was no where near halfs.

Thought Clarkson did an excellent job in his first 30mins. Good ball from dummy half, and plenty of tackles. Was just never going to make a run.

As it turned out, it was near enough Clarkson at hooker, Sinfield at 6, Ablett still 2nd row. Then Sutcliffe to 6 and Sinfield to 9 when Sutcliffe came on.

Having played hookerless on defence, it now looks like we're working out how to do it in attack. Worked though.

It was like Nantwich picked the team, but it seemed to work really doors. Probably threw Wigan of their planned defense somewhat I would guess.

spot on

A nice surprise and good bit of kidology from McDermott. Nice to see him keeping Hardaker at FB despite maybe the temptation to switch him elsewhere. ...
Sinfield does look very good at DH though and Sutcliffe seems to be getting good grooming into Sinfield's SO role. Wonder where Stevie Ward might end up?

I might actually be getting some respect for McDermott's coaching abilities