After what I saw last week then Sykes has to be the one who is a dead cert to miss out from the 17 because after all it was his sin binning that saw the game go from us with St Helens scoring 16 points in that ten minute spell when we were down to 12 men.

Burgess or Sibbit to also miss out.

thinking about it, whilst i agree about sykes missing out im not so sure about the other one. We may see whitehead miss out with sibbit and donaldson coming in. that way we have a more experienced 2nd row and add a bit of flair at loose., and avoid burning whitehead out.

Could also see Sibbitt on the bench instead of Olbison. Harsh on Olbison as he's not done anything wrong but would give extra bulk if Burgess doesn't work out.

Bit unfair to blame Sykes for the sin binning. Was a harsh call and could have happened to anyone. That said I have him dropping out aswell if Briggs and Walker are fit.

Weather forecast is heavy rain showers, take your waterproofs people

I agree that Sykes would be the one to miss out in the threequarters, but not because of the sin binning, which was a bit harsh in truth and was for an accumulation of warnings not just Sykes' tackle in isolation.

The forwards are more difficult to forecast imo. Sibbitt may come back, with Scrutes out he does give a bit of bulk, unless he goes with Burgess, though I wouldn't expect Tom to play over long if he does come into the seventeen.

how big is harlequins pack this year? would 3 props cover it?

The benefits of a bigger squad are now apparent, Donaldson in for Langley and Walker back in for more options in the backs, and Tom perhaps will get a game which invites the question what has happened to Crossley. Kops in there so he will play. final 17 is going to be interesting, are Donaldson and Briggs up to 1st team match sharpness yet?

I imagine Briggs and Donno are both up to speed, as they've played for a few weeks in the U20's.

Kearney
Ainscough
Walker
Royston
Ah Van
Briggs
Herbert
Lynch
Le'strang
Kopczak
Olbison
Whitehead
Elima

Burgess
Hargreaves
Diskin
Sibbit

Kearney
Ainscough
Walker
Royston
Ah Van
Briggs
Herbert
Lynch
Diskin
Hargreaves
Olbison
Elima
Whitehead


Burgess
Kopczak
Le'strange
Sykes/Donaldson

I'd go with that. I'd prefer to give Burgess a hit out against a team that are lacking in confidence.

I'd like to see this team. sykes and sibbit have both had plenty of chances to impress and havent done so imo. So give some of young lads a chance to show us what they can do.

Kearney
Ainscough
Walker
Royston
Ah Van
Briggs
Herbert
Lynch
Diskin
Hargreaves
Elima
Whitehead
Donaldson


Burgess
Kopczak
Le'strange
Olbison

Quins by 6!!

MASSIVE......................Full of South Sea Islanders!!!!!!

Kearney
Ainscough
Royston
Walker
Ah Van
Briggs
Herbert
Lynch
Diskin
Hargreaves
Elima
Olbison
Donaldson

L'Estrange
Koppy
Burgess
Whitehead

I'm not sure if Connor has any inside info when he publishes his 17 for matches, but here's how he has us lining up tomorrow:

Sykes
Ainscough
Walker
Royston
Ah Van
Kearney
Herbert
Lynch
Diskin
Hargreaves
Whitehead
Olbison
Elima

Subs: L'Estrange, Kopczak, Burgess, Donaldson


So no Briggs and no Sibbit.

Just been out to the shops and the weather is bloody fantastic at the minute.

Should be a good 12,800/13,000 crowd today.

Let me just say that Connor has been spot on the money the last three weeks.

Will be disappointed if Briggs doesnt play

really cant see why potter isnt playing briggs. ok he isnt setting world alight in u20's but he's playing alongside an unfamiliar halves partner. Its going to take time for combinations to gel. but equally its going to take the same time for him to gel with herbert. so when he does play well in u20s and gets a chance in 1st team he then has to start from scratch building a relationship with herbert. think we need to bite the bullet and throw him into 1st team, but be patient when he makes the inevitable mistakes.

one possibility I suppose is that potter is thinking longer term than just this season and wants briggs and southernwood to gel as a partnership before bringing them both into first team as a pair next season.

Potter is making his first real mistake as Bulls coach today if Briggs doesn't play. He did the right thing last week not changing the side, but we've signed Briggs for the here and now.

I think it is a straight option between Sykes and Briggs. Sykes is a good player - when he has had a few games in a row in the same position. His (in)consistency is in direct relation to the number of positions he plays. Unfortunately he is down for a different position again. Briggs' short kicking game was brilliant against Leeds initially, then he missed games through injury, now he has been average at best for the under 20's. My own opinion would be to play Briggs. But I'm not the coach

Briggs not playing for the U20s..

..because he's reinjured his knee

Well, at least our luck is consistent. Hopefully no more than a tweak. And that'll be why he isn't playing