Quote SaintsFan="SaintsFan"I'd like to see him back at loose myself. I think if we're going to play Leeds again with Lomaskell in the halves, we need to get some practice in against Crusaders, especially given what is coming up after Leeds!
Five players returning will mean more disruption for the team. The lads need to gel together again (so we could see some loose play during the first half on Friday) and the only way we are going to do that is to play the team that we hope will be available to us throughout June. Kyle Eastmond will probably be needed on the bench in case one of our halfbacks breaks down. If both do then Wilkin will also have to be moved. But I would rather see Wilkin back at loose with Magennis on the bench, just as is likely to be over the coming weeks, assuming all remain fit.
Incidentally, I don't think this match will be a banana skin. I think Simmons was preparing the players with his emphasis on being professional against Featherstone. I'm sure he won't let them forget their need to concentrate for a full 80 minutes in defence and attack!'"
I imagine, Royce could have rushed one or 2 of these back last week or even the week before. But has held out to allow time for the players to come back when needed. I do concure though Eastmond on the bench offers us far more options than Lomax or Gaskell, also Gaskell gives us a much improved kicking game than either Lomax or Eastmond.
But in the end it depends on fitness and who is back ready to go and who is back at 80%.
I think we'll do well against crusaders, we've done well for the last few weeks with no options at halfback, now we have 3 option and Wilkin. Royce does like playing TP at loose, but I don't think that automatically means he will play any big guy at loose. Wilkin can offer a Sinfield style loose forward, personally I prefer that kind of loose forward but obviously TP offers an alternative dimension when fit.
It's nice to have some options after weeks of seeing who was ready. Eastmond could also give Robes a rest at acting half back, Robes has been awesome but we don't want him to burn out before the playoff's
O'Hara usually starts and Martin has been out injured for weeks and isn't even in the 19.
