Zaks defence is definitely better than Charnleys, he is a terrible defender and looks absolutely clueless, a young kid exposed him twice in the opening quarter last night.

I wouldn't swap lomax for hardaker .

I'd say the same, but with Lomax. He's been a revelation for Saints when he's played there, although injuries have hampered him. Hopefully he'll get a good run to the end of the season. He's arguably the safest bet of all three with kicks.

Going back to the original post, I'd use Sam as a 13 and play a three prop strategy that is so popular in SL at the moment.

Using limited footage and reports from down under I'd take Graham, G Burgess, Hill and Crabtree, then play Sam loose forward. I'd take Westwood and O'Loughlin as my second rows and whilst I'm tempted by Hock, I don't think we can really justify it at the moment, probably taking Ellis, who looked good on Friday, or even Mossop. Perhaps that last spot should be taken by a more form selection like Kirmond or Ferres, or even Farrell, who was excellent at the beginning of the season.

For the last bench spot, I'd be tempted to take a second hooker. Being a Saints fan, I'd always go with Roby, although he's injured again. My second choice for a start would be Houghton, although I think some would favour Lunt (i've seen more of Houghton this season, though). My bench hooker would be clarke, either way.

If I had to pick a squad right now, it would be this.

Backs

Tomkins
Hardaker
Charnley
Hall
Lineham
Watkins
Cudjoe
Chase
Sinfield
Lomax
Widdop

Forwards

Hill
Graham
Burgess S
Burgess G
Mossop
Roby
Houghton
Westwood
Ellis
Kirmond
Farrell
O'Loughlin
Crabtree

I think Ratchford will be close to a call into the squad. I don't believe he should start, nor feature on the bench, but he is a good squad player who can feature at 1,3,4,6,7 and 9. If Sam T wasn't fit, I'd sooner see him go to fullback than Hardaker personally. I think he would be the closest fit to continue to play in the same style.

I think Ratchford will be close to a call into the squad. I don't believe he should start, nor feature on the bench, but he is a good squad player who can feature at 1,3,4,6,7 and 9. If Sam T wasn't fit, I'd sooner see him go to fullback than Hardaker personally. I think he would be the closest fit to continue to play in the same style.

I often realise that I've negelected ratchford when thinking about these squads. Given how good he is, I guess that means we haven't got quite the derth of talent we sometimes claim.

I never get people wanting our best player, playing in his best position, who won man of steel in that position playing where he hasn't playing in years.

...What?

A very good call. When we suffer injuries at Saints, people often suggest moving roby to play half back or back row because he can do a decent job, without considering that we're essentially losing a top hooker.

Peoples' motivation is getting the best possible 13(17) together. The attacking role of a 6 and a 1 aren't massively different and if Tomkins has a weakness, its with the high ball. No one mentions, however, that Tomkins is extremely good at marshalling opposition breaks.

He's our best full back, so why play him elsewhere?

George burgess was outstanding again yesterday and should be one of the first names in the 17.

Form prop in the NRL at the moment.

Sam had a great game from LF so should play there.

Think 3 props are nailed on for England in hill, graham and burgess with the 4th place up for grabs.

I'd play rachford in the centres.