For this Friday's game there are 5 players returning to the 19 man squad. The most prominent of these is the return of Jonny Lomax and Lee Gaskell, Lomaskell.

Kyle Eastmond, Andrew Dixon and Josh Perry are all also set to feature.

These come in at the expense of Tom Armstrong, Warren Thompson, Nathan Ashe, Joe Greenwood and Jordan Hand who were in the 19 against Featherstone.

Players still injured are Leon Pryce, Tony Puletua, Chris Flannery, Scott Moore, Paul Clough, Gary Wheeler and Carl Forster.

You can find the squad rlhererl

1. Paul Wellens, 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Michael Shenton, 4. Sia Soliola, 5. Francis Meli, 7. Kyle Eastmond, 8. Josh Perry, 9. James Roby, 10. James Graham, 12. Jon Wilkin, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 18. Matty Ashurst, 19. Andrew Dixon, 20. Jonny Lomax, 21. Shaun Magennis, 22. Jamie Foster, 25. Lee Gaskell, 28. Thomas Makinson, 29. Scott Hale.

1. Paul Wellens
2. Ade Gardner
3. Michael Shenton
5. Francis Meli
22. Jamie Foster

25. Lee Gaskell
20. Jonny Lomax

8. Josh Perry
9. James Roby
10. James Graham
12. Jon Wilkin
4. Sia Soliola
21. Shaun Magennis

15. LMS
19. Andrew Dixon
18. Matty Ashurst
7. Kyle Eastmond / 28. Thomas Makinson

I'd expect Magennis to sart at 13.
Hopefully we'll see Wilkin retain some of his ball playing responsibilty in the back row, rather than putting his nose straight back on the grindstone.

Call me Saddened, but I feel a banana skin coming up.

So would I, I forgot about him originally but can't be bothered changing it.

i think it mite be worth keeping wilkin at 6 considering hes been playing well there and i would try him along side lomax.

1. Paul Wellens
2. Ade Gardner
3. Michael Shenton
5. Francis Meli
22. Jamie Foster

12. Jon Wilkin
20. Jonny Lomax

8. Josh Perry
9. James Roby
10. James Graham
18. Matty Ashurst
4. Sia Soliola
21. Shaun Magennis


15. LMS
19. Andrew Dixon
7. Kyle Eastmond
29. Scott Hale

hurrah, we have a choice to make at last and 3 halfbacks to choose from.

I would imagine the 2 that play are going to be the 2 fittest. So although I would imagine Gaskell and Lomax are first choice, it maybe that one or both are not quite as up to speed as Eastmond.

Without knowing who is fittest, my choice would be.

1. Paul Wellens, (assuming fit, otherwise makinson)
2. Ade Gardner, (assuming fit otherwise makinson) 3. Michael Shenton,
5. Francis Meli,22. Jamie Foster ,
20. Jonny Lomax,25. Lee Gaskell (for the way they compliment each other with a solid kicking and running game)

8. Josh Perry, 9. James Roby, 10. James Graham,
4. Sia Soliola 21. Shaun Magennis (could play as a replacement prop with ashurst starting)
12. Jon Wilkin, (would be wasted in the 2nd row for me)
,
7. Kyle Eastmond (Provides Royce's favoured utility back as can play every back position)
15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
29. Scott Hale.(been decent deserves to keep a spot)
18. Matty Ashurst (50/50 with him and dixon)


19. Andrew Dixon, , , , 28. Thomas Makinson, (to miss out)

i think the team will be

1. Paul Wellens
2. Ade Gardner
3. Michael Shenton
5. Francis Meli
22. Jamie Foster
25. lee gaskell
20. Jonny Lomax

8. Josh Perry
9. James Roby
10. James Graham
18. Matty Ashurst
4. Sia Soliola
12. john wilkin


15. LMS
19. Andrew Dixon
7. Kyle Eastmond
21. shaun magennis

Wellens
Gardner
Shenton
Meli
Foster
Gaskell
Lomax
Perry
Roby
Graham
Soliola
Ashurst
Wilkin

Bench

Eastmond
Dixon
McCarthy-Scarsbrook
Magennis

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

Who'd have thought before the season started that we'd be praying for Lomax and Gaskell to be fit as our 1st choice halfback pairing?

I'd rather Lomax and Pryce

I don't have a particular worry about Saints attitude, but am wary that human nature will mean that [iplayers back[/i plus [ilowly opposition[/i will equal [iovercofidence[/i.

I also reckon royce will take Makinson as his back reserve, rather than eastmond and use Wilkin if we've a problem in the halves (halfs?).

rlIt looks like Simmons is ahead of you on this!rl

Are you sure? O'Hara usually starts and Martin has been out injured for weeks and isn't even in the 19.

Royce is set to team Gaskell and lomax up again so I'm told.

Wello
Ade
Shenton
Meli
Foster
Gaskell
Lomax
Jammer
Roby
LMS
Sia
Wilkin
Magennis


Perry
Ashurst
Dixon
Eastmond