Does everyone think JJB is deserving of a dead cert spot in the team, he seems to always make errors and commit penalties when I see him, I'm probably been too harsh.

I have changed my mind. Eastwood should only start if we have a prop problem and we use him there (please let Peacock be okay ). He seems to be coated in teflon, because he doesn't stick to anyone when he tackles. He's also very unfit. Clarkson by plenty, with Ali on the bench as well.

He is guilty of brain farts but does perform in the big games and has a high work-rate and imo that gets him the spot.

I thought that. With a fit ALi I would go with Clarkson and probably Kirke over Eastwood at the moment

Eastwood and Ali were both poor last night. But if they're both fit to play they will.

On the money again mate.

Curse of 'the work shy Show Pony' strikes again.

KAPOW!!!

I was just pleased to see Lauitiiti get some game-time in and not leave the field injured (unless I missed it)

Clarkson again was very solid.

Clarkson is already a good player. The sooner he's given a chance in a final the better in my book.

Given that Peacock and Biffa are ruled out i reckon Bluey will go with......
Webb
Smith
Delaney
Senior
Hall
Mcguire
Burrow
Bailey
Buderus
Leuleui
Clarkson
Ablett
Sinfield

Diskin
Jjb
Ali
Eastwood(reserve prop).
I'm loathe to include Eastwood and i would love to see Ambler given the shirt but i don't think it will happen.

I agree that Eastwood was poor, offload for Clarkson try, and monster hit on Huby asside, but he's always been a slow starter when coming back to fitness. Let's see how he goes against the Dragons.

I'd be inclined to start Ali if fit (big if, I know) in effort to get well on top in the first 30 and without having Peacock to drain the defence. Also, for various reasons, the loss of JP means Eastwood has to play.

The selection problem will probably come down to Clarkson or Kirke for the last spot, though really it should be picking four from Clarkson, Kirke, Ablett, JJB and Eastwood. The latter three seem untouchable though.

I think without further injuries it'll be Clarkson who misses out, harshly. (Webb; Smith, Delaney, Senior, Hall; McGuire, Burrow; Bailey, Buderus, Leuleui, JJB, Lauititi, Sinfield; Diskin, Ablett, Kirke, Eastwood)

It's a tough one.... realistically one of

Lauititi, Clarkson, Eastwood & Kirke will miss out on the final 17.

If Ali is fit, he'll play. With the loss of Peacock, I think Eastwood has to play to give us some power off the bench. I'm 50-50 on Clarkson - he looks very solid and I've been very impressed so far, but a cup final is a big game for a kid with only half a season or so under his belt. By the time the final comes around, Ablett will not have played for a month, however he'll be fully fit and very fresh, so I'm assuming his selection is a given. If Ambler gets a game against Catalans and has a stormer it'll make things very interesting, however he seems to be on the fringe of things at the moment. That leaves Kirke..... villified by certain posters on here, but with some big, solid games in Grand Finals, in pressure situations, behind him. His chase back to tackle Dixon on Friday was immense, and Ive a feeling he may really go for it against Catalans to well and truly throw his cap into the ring.

I have a hunch we'll go with

Webb
Smith
Delaney
Senior
Hall
McGuire
Burrow
Leuleui
Buderus
Bailey
Ablett
JJB
Sinfield

Diskin
Eastwood
Lauititi
Kirke

I feel sorry for Scott Donald, but Smith is too much of a big game player to be left out. It's also harsh on Clarkson, who's done nothing wrong, but I think we'll go with experience and power. Plus, Sinfield & McGuire missed out on cup finals in the past, and it didn't do them any harm long term.....

I've gone with the same 17 as you, but I'd rather have Lauititi on the bench to make more use of him in the second half. Given his fitness in recent times, having him on from the start would run the risk of him being a spent force come the 2nd half.

Re Clarkson, it would be very harsh for hjim to miss out, but the very fact that we're saying this shows how very far he's come in such a short time.

With Peacock and Burgess out I'd go for:

1. Webb
2. Smith
3. Delaney
4. Senior
5. Hall
6. McGuire
7. Burrow
8. Leuluai
9. Buderus
10. Bailey
11. JJB
12. Clarkson
13. Sinfield

14. Diskin
15. Ablett
16. Lauitiiti
17. Kirke/Eastwood

As has been said I'd also favour Smith over Donald (just slightly), most of the team picks itself its really the last bench spot. For me it depends on how fit Eastwood is. If he's back to his form at the early part of the season then I'd go with him. But if he's not fully fit I'd put Kirke in. He's never let us down in the major games before and won't this time.