Your point about rotating big minute forwards is valid, whilst Graham is in the side. He is our big minute forward, an also the prop who is always there when the team needs him. We don't have a replacement for him, so maybe next year we will need an extra prop on the bench to cover for his big minutes, and as you say not simply an inferior player who allows the intensity to drop whole he's on the pitch.

Personally I'm hoping Perry and LMS will step up.

I haven't agreed with everything he's done this year, but surely he's earned our backing by leading a limping squad to within 80 minutes of being Champions - beating Wigan twice on the way.

The game is littered with "great" coaches who won sod all, I'd prefer to have a lucky coach, if that is what he is, who wins trophies, than a great coach who is a nearly man. If we win next week, then that will be a great achievement. Am happy to resurrect my posts from earlier in the season where I have consistently backed Simmons.

The point about graham is also valid. We are using 16 v 17 each week. Graham and TP and Roby make this possible. I would be suprised if this continues next year. With graham gone we will lose an 80 minute guywho now has regular ice on his back.

We will not have this next year but with lance in the team the back on the bench may no longer be deamed nessasary by royce. Not sure how we will line up yet but the triangle of lance gaskell and lomax would mean a back up back is not needed.

The thing is we have an 80 minute hooker whereas every team interchanges hookers so usually we do play with the same amount of props and second rowers

thats a very good point

I guess lomax is ok after the ankle twist as royce has already said he is sticking with lomaskell

like button!

Don't feed me hope!

The only question now is, did Wheeler make it through Saturday without picking up any injuries?

I've heard he's gone for the season with a splintered rectum.

Bad news. In the after match huddle Sia Soliola accidently squoze Gary Wheeler too hard and he imploded. His head was found in Runcorn this morning.

I've never liked the whole concept of having a back on the bench at all, particularly not when they're half-fit and in no position to be able to contribute more than 20 minutes if needed anyway as we've done more than a few times, and we have plenty enough forwards who can play in the backs if needed making it even more pointless. But I'm more than happy to concede that Royce knows a thousand times more about the game and the players than I ever will and so must know what he's doing...

I personally like the idea of having a back on the bench, it makes us more flexible in case of injuries and as was pointed out earlier in the thread, we are fortunate enough to have an 80 minute hooker who doesnt need spelling so therefore we can get away with it and still give TP, Graham, LMS, Clough and Sia the appropriate spells during a game.

Also, for such as Saturday, if Leon has recovered he would be well worth a place on the bench for me. Lomax and Gaskell have been superb all season, but if the occasion of a GF got the better of them ,we have an experienced half that can come on the field and steady the ship which should be reassuring for all.