Hardaker
Briscoe Watkins Moon Hall
Sinfield McGuire
Garbutt Lilley Peacock
Ablett Ward
Cuthbertson

Burrow Delaney Singleton Leuluai

Hardaker
Briscoe
Watkins
Keinhorst
Hall
Sinfield
McGuire
Garbutt
Moon
Peacock
Ward
Delaney
Cuthbertson

Leuluai
Singleton
Ablett
Burrow/Lilley

If Keinhorst isn't fit then Briscoe to LC and Handley as RW

Managing a squad under the cap without a reserve team is hard, but I tend to agree that whilst we looked fairly well covered in most positions (albeit with gambling on Handley and Golding as cover 1-5, which has worked), not having a capable deputy at hooker in the event of injury to either Burrow or Aiton was a risky decision. To be fair I'd assume the plan was Robbie Ward, but it wouldn't have been hard to give him a proper shot early in the season, which at least would have given him a chance to show if he was up to it and look to someone else if he wasn't. We're now way too too late in the season to do much about his lack of ability.

I'd assume next year we'll again have some academy hooker around, but we also won't have the option of Sinfield, so it would make sense for at least one other member of the squad to practice the role in training and be ready to fill in if needs be.

As it is I'd suggest that if Lilley's distribution is good enough, he should be given the chance for the rest of this year. We have enough experienced players to work out a defensive alignment that can fit him in. Its not the best option but I don't think any of the other suggestions are either - I certainly wouldn't move Moon away from the centres. Given his size maybe Sutcliffe might be the best third choice hooker option.

Fair enough if people don think Moon would work at hooker, but I honestly don't understand the argument that we can't afford to move Moon away from centre......he simply isn't that vital that we NEED to keep him there at all cost.

Let's be honest. If I said one of the back 5 would have to miss the rest of the season through injury, which would you hope it was......if being honest most would pick Moon. He's the least vital.

My main worry about moving Moon to hooker is that I've never seen him play there. That the coaching staff, who get more chance to evaluate the players on the practice field, have preferred several others makes me wonder whether he'd be as effective there as you think.

Neither would I choose to sacrifice Moon from the back 5. Briscoe would be my pick as Hanley, by and large, covered well. I'm less convinced by the options for replacing Moon, preferring instead to see Ablett at SR given current form.

I posted this on the other thread that you may not have seen which highlights Moon's importance at centre. Sorry for those that have already read it.

"Sorry Printer but I completely disagree with your conclusions.

I repeat despite Watkins silky skills and brilliant footwork Moon for some time has been the more reliable centre of the two - in no way is this comment meant to take anything away from Watkins who is world class on his day. But to make your judgement because Hall's try tally has dipped is wrong. Hall does a lot more of the heavy work returning kicks which may perhaps effect his sharpness on certain occasions too.

Firstly Leeds for the past few seasons have attacked more down the right than the left. This is due in part to Watkins's great attacking abilities and in part to not having a full back like Webb who usually ran down the left hand channel. This is backed up by the number of carries each centre has made this season Watkins (370) and Moon (206). Another factor is that Ablett who often is in the left hand channel often dies with the ball when a pass is on. Our right side has seen Ward and Achurch more ready to make a pass.

Secondly despite making 164 less carries Moon has made more try assists, less errors with better offload and tackle busts ratios than Watkins and he has also made considerable more tackles. Only in clean breaks does Watkins have the better stats.

But I repeat I am a big fan of Watkins and I make these points to show the importance of Moon to the side playing at centre and repeat my claim that he is the most consistent (not the best) of the two hence I would not move him."

I might be being dumb here, but is Aiton definitely gone for the rest of the season, or could he make a miraculous recovery? I don't remember reading anywhere that he's definitely done - though in fairness I've not looked.

16 weeks as his wrist was knackered too. He might have been back this week if it was just his arm. He has about 10 weeks to go.

Meh - bit of strapping and some injections and he'd still be our best choice in that position.

16 weeks without being able to use your wrist, not sure what I would do.

You'd probably find yourself in a very similar situation to the title of this thread.

Well according to twitter he's had the cast off today.

You never know.

That would be excellent, but what would be the reason for the whole 16wks statement to the press? To mess with the heads of the opposition?

Lots of rehab stillo beone to strengthen muscles, ligament's and return flexibility

still to be done

I hate wireless keyboards