It doesn't work like that at Saints though does it?

Brown's confirmed that Wello will be loose. Whether we like it, or not, it seems like it's gonna happen. Personally, I like Flanagan at loose, and it would be unfair to bench him to bring Wellens in.

I wouldnt mind seeing Lance start at Hooker, and bring Roby on as an impact hooker. I think he is the best in the world at that.
Also like to see Gaskell get a run of games.

I don't want to say I told you so but... I told you so.

Lomax's form has completely transformed and looks more comfortable in this position. He doesn't have to worry about making too many tackles and can just run with the ball in space. It's perfect for him.

And he's staying there, hope he continues how he's started!

interesting to see the stats of this game

Nice to see some of us were justified in our thoughts about Lomax moving to full back.

I'm not sure on Wellens to loose, but we'll see how he goes. I can't see him playing a full 80 anyway so I doubt Flanagan will miss out that much

In the end unless Wellens rips it up at LF, which I'd be very happy to see happen. Flanagan is the long term solution there.

I think come big games Flanagans tackling will be seen as desirable.

But lets be open minded about Wellens at LF, who knows what he will bring, he's been untested there. Going forwards I imagine he will bring us some variety and attacking possibilities that we've not had from loose forward for some time.

It's only the defensive duties that I have a question mark over, but I doubt Brown will throw him in to flounder there.

I would go along with Brown and see how it goes with a few games, we,ve just not enough links pivotal players which gives the opposition less to worry about. We had Wellens, Martyn, Long,Cunningham and Sculthorpe all contributing all linking with different options to worry the oppostion.
Start of the season we just had Roby, so the opposition shut down Roby and we are easy to defend against. Add also the fact that Saints never really have a kicking game so we have one man rugby again easy to defend against.
Now there is a possibilty threat of attack options from 1,7,9 and 13, Wilkin is doing a half decent job at 7 so maybe Wellens can emulate the same.
If you look at Wigan, Warrington and Leeds they have been particularly strong in these particular areas maybe Brown is looking for more creativity by any means he can in these areas as well.

wellens is just as physical as someone like Grix, who does very well.
Give it a chance, nothing wrong with tinkering at this stage.

Wellens used to pretend to be a fullback. He'd make what 2 or 3 tackles a game normally? The majority of those would be against backs. It'll be interesting to see how he does cope. He could be asked to do 15-20 tackles against props and backrowers. Whilst I have no doubt at all about his commitment, I do wonder how long he'd last in the backrow.

That's my worry too tbh, I'd like to think that Flanagan will be rotating with Wellens.

When everyone is fit I would go with

Lomax
Gardner
Turner
Percival
Meli
Gaskell
Wilkin
Laffranchi
Roby
Puletua
Manu
Soliola
Wellens

Bench

Hohaia
Flanagan
McCarthy-Scarsbrook
Perry

I'd agree with that

When everyone is fit I would hope that we rotate the pack and not pick the same players each week.

That aside. Given what I've seen so far my choice out of a fully fit squad for a Final would be.

Lomax, Ade, Turner, Percival, Meli, Wilkin, Wheeler
LMS Roby Perry Sia Laffranchi Flanagan
bench
TP Manu Clough (Lance or Walker)


This is only so far and I am open to changing my mind.
Those I would say are not dead certs
Ade (awesome going forwards but has been too flappy hands with the high ball)
Percival, (hard to judge the guy from one game)
Wheeler ( has put his hand up more for this role than Gaskell and Lance so far, but time yet)
Flanagan ( Wellens could play a stormer, we just don't know)
Walker for me has shown real enthusiasm and aggression, I like his tackling, but Lance can't be ignored despite not setting the world alight, he can tackle and run well from dummy half so could be a good interchange hooker in a final, Keeping Roby running at 100% for the time he is on. Lance also gives us cover in the backs in a final.