That's modern day rugby league.

I literally can't remember the last time we got close to getting our first choice 17 out on the field. It must be a number of years now. Between us and Wakey on Friday there was something like 15 or 16 players missing.

The only side that seen to avoid an injury crisis most years is Leeds. They get the odd one here and there but they don't seem to hit a really bad trot. Luck or credit to their medical staff? Who knows!

The worst case is what? Lomax, Percival, Burns, Walsh, Roby, Greenwood, Vea, Wellens, Walker(?) out? Anyone else a doubt? IT would be okay, but that's a very very good spine missing.

Quite bad news. My Gran had a hip replacement and she was never the same after that. A new hip might make him quicker. A mobility scooter like my Gran got definitely would. It wouldn't affect his game much these days either.

If we do have both halves, our fb and hooker missing, plus percy it would take a very poor side to lose to us imo. Thats every strike player in our team gone.

So how many are you likely to be missing this weekend given such injuries are common in modern day rl?

If you say Bowen, Sarginson, Smith, Williams, McIlorum, Bateman, Tomkins plus a couple of others it would reflect what we could be faced with.

Anyway, enough catastrophising - here's hoping both teams manage to get decent sides out and we get a good game.

Charnley, Thornley, Powell, Sutton, Crosby and O'Loughlin.

Aside from possibly Thornley(although Gellings form has been poor) all would be in a first choice 17 at the minute.

It's not a points scoring exercise I was trying to get in to, just merely pointing out a fact that the vast majority of teams go through the mill because the sports so tough (and fast).

I'm pretty sure the equivalents in the Saints side of all those Wigan players you mention there won't be missing either. I'd be stunned if tough lads like Burns and Roby missed this one.