Weird that Mitch was at Headingley a couple of hours ago doing a Rhinos Foundation presentation then.

Would have to have been something serious for Mcdermott to say that to Garbutt if true, he's been fantastic since his arrival last summer.

Just a suggestion but could Garbutt's exclusion be fitness related? He was a big lump when he came over but I would've thought a full pre-season with us he'd looked a bit better body wise but if anything he's turned into a bigger lump this year.

Garbutt hasn't been as effective or impressive as last season yet and looks a bit overweight. But he is not alone in being out of form. Singleton looked our worst prop against Wigan IMO.

Our defence has been something of a shambles and Mac is bound to be upset if players are not keeping to the game plan. There are always things we aren't aware of that are behind selection decisions. With JJB's successful return and promising and enthusiastic performances from Mullally plus Ablett back gives the coach more freedom in selection. I am sure Garbutt and Singo will very soon be contesting selection once again.

All the players are underperforming in the basics and searching for their best form and sharpness... something a coach cannot do anything about except drop the players concerned. But when injuries and lost form conspire together even this solution is not available as he runs out of bodies.

Once the team is back to full strength I feel sure we will start to see form return and if the table toppers start to have similar problems they too will drop some points. So keep the faith.

Mitch Achurch missus wrote on Facebook today that 'she cannot wait for her and Mitch to return to home soil next season' so that to me suggests they already know what's happening next season.

Are you sure it wasn't just a visit to home soil? His Business in Leeds seems to be the focus for Mitch.

No issues like that in the camp. Just BS.

Indeed, he's Leeds selection for the rugby am rowing challenge, maybe Mac has him focussed on bringing us some early silverware with that prestigious trophy.

Galloway was alot better last week and Mac prefers him for his work rate apparently

Hi all,

Read/followed the forum for a good while now but never created an account to post until now. So here's my first one.

Picking Mitch Garbutt and/or Brad Singleton is no brainer decision for me. I can't understand why they wouldn't be selected. I've read a few posts to suggest they've each had a poor game or 2, but the same can be said for the rest of the lads.

I'm sure we'll all agree on paper this is a much tougher game than facing Wakefield (no offence intended for any reading Wakefield fans), so we should have gone in with our strongest squad tonight and looked to have rested/rotated the odd player on Monday.

Whilst my glass is always half full with the Leeds Rhinos, I can't help but feel a little uneasy about tonights game. We can't afford to many more slip ups especially this early in the season.

Thanks for reading.

Welcome to the forum Rosc.

I think the Singleton one has been explained TBH with his partner due to and eventually giving birth over the last few days. I imagine players in that situation are given the choice to play or not in the circumstances. If she was due on the day of the Saints game I can't imagine his focus on the game ahead would've been all that good anyway.