This is what I'd opt for.

Royston
Ah Van
Platt
Sibbit
Raynor
Briggs
Jeffries
Lynch
L'estrange
Koppy
Olbison
Whitehead
Langley

Burgess
Hargreaves
Diskin
Bateman

Platts not fit and Sibbitt's embarrassing in his normal position.

In that case Whithead to centre, Langley to SR and Bateman to loose with Donaldson on bench.
Sibbit is nowhere near as bad as some make out.

Crookes is a centre.Play him at centre. If it doesn't work then hands up but give the lad chance. Sibbitt is 30 yr old 2nd row who should be in the championship. Bateman to start at LF at 17 in team getting beat up?

I agree

I think this is his opportunity. Hopefully he will step up and prove that he's worth the spot

Crookes is pants and he'll never make a SL player. Sibbit is a reliable utility man better equiped to handle the likes of Webster or Welham. Bateman to start at LF yes.

we will miss herbert today....

Some won't. But then, they tend to be the types who present their opinion as fact and carefully and selectively ignore anything that disproves their "fact"

Considering all other 3/4 options (Sibbitt being the worst) are lamentable there's no logic in not giving the kid a chance. Dobson would pick out Bateman and send Newton over him like he did with Addy at Odsal last year. A good way to get the kid beat up. He should come off the bench in short spells if at all.

Newton isn't playing.

Team Announced

Royston
Raynor
Platt
Whitehead
Ah Van
Jefferies
Briggs
Lynch
Diskin
Hargreaves
Sibbit
Olbison
Donaldson

Bench: Kopzack, Lestrange, Burgess, Langley

Bench looks strong