Even stronger if Matty Smith goes to Saints.

Well apparently in a French newspaper the coach read the riot act about a month ago and questioned if some of his players had a future in RL. Long list of departures including some of their bigger names and not much in the way of going in. All seems quite sour over there at the moment and if they go into the new season like this and Leeds and Hudds get their act together then Catalans could be a surprise inclusion in next years Middle 8's I think.

Dont think your far wrong there my old bean.

I agree with you on the coach, and voiced earlier this season that I expected for 2017 for Leeds, Catalans, Huddersfield, and Saints to have new coaches, and Australian ones.

However, if you really believe that the massive gap that is between Leeds and Huddersfield with Catalans can be addressed in one year as we currently stand, then that is some optimistic naivety shown there. Of course they could appoint a goon like McDermot and then your gap can be quickly addressed

Warrington to win!. Talking of Saturdays game which pubs in Leeds City centre are likely to have the G.final on?. I see England are playing at Wendyball earlier...

There wont be a great selection.

Sports bar will have it on as will the black prince on city square, though it may be relegated to a small screen if eng-ur-larnd are on.

Templar has a few screens

No O'Loughlin for Wigan but Sandow & Bailey in the 19 man Wolves squad.

Sports bar is pretty good these days, been refurbished upstairs and has loads of big screens and sofas with excellent views, its where i watched the CC final. could be rammed though like you say if Englund is on too.

Springbok and Walkabout used to be great for rugby when in town but both have closed now i think. Mostly wine bars these days so i can't think of too many more places that will be showing it TBH.

Bailey should definitely be on the bench if fit as they don't have much GF experience in the Wire team, only Hill, Ratchford, Atkins and Hughes (for Wigan) have played in GF's.

Sandow sounds a big risk going by the way Smith was talking about his chances a few days ago.

I would like to see Bailey get another ring , just to add to his rep as a bad boy winner

I'd like to see him do what he did to Myler in the closing minutes of the 2012 GF to a Wigan player and wait and see if the Warrington fans are as appalled by it on this occasion

Thanks for the feedback chaps!