Came back in August, so I'd imagine around 4. Briscoe should be ahead of Fox. And why not ?

Except for Carvell over Westwood, I think that's as good as we can get. Glad Tomkins is in - for me, with Myler in we'd have been stuffed. I rate him highly, but Tomkins is the more creative and better all-rounder, including his defence, which is as strong as anyone. He also seems to get under the skin of opposition teams - hopefully that will include the Aussies.

If the pack steps up and each forward performs to their best; nasty and aggressive with it, we'll stand a chance. If not all we can hope for us to defend for all we're worth. Crabtree needs to step up a gear. He's been to easy to stop at times (often the case with the tallest players), and it's up to him to hit harder.

BTW, the Fox vs Briscoe argument is pretty pointless. I see barely any difference in them - both good young fast players. It's their defence and decision making that's gonna count on Saturday.

Whatever, it comes down to the individuals on the day. I'll be there screaming my lungs out. Can't wait.

I agree Crabtree is a good footballer with offloads etc. Just he doesn't smash it upfront enough. He should be using his size and driving harder in the tackle - that'll ware any defence down. If he can bring that to his game he has the potential to match Burgess etc as a proper World Class Prop.

I can see why Crabtree has been picked over Carvell when I look at these statshttp://www.superleague.co.uk/statistics_player.php?hs1
It's all about the number of missed tackles and offloads over go forward.

if Crabtree makes those tackle busts, then I want Tomkins on one side of him and McGuire on the other.

Sod this organising jobby, support those breaks and get over that tryline.

We may only get a couple of chances, so we need to take them.

Further looking at the stats on the superleague website shows that crabtree misses less tackles than any other forward. He is definitely in the team for defence.

Judging by the last two games i thought that was already smiths plan?

So has Tomkins been chosen because of his ability or to promote struggling ticket sales?

If Tomkins was always the plan, why wasn't he chosen last week and given the experience and the time to gell with the players? Why throw him in now? The cynic in me says it's all about putting the extra 5,000 bums on seats.

crabtree made more Tackle busts this season than Peacock, morley, carvell etc

doesnt hit hard enough ??

I agree.
Then smith goes and picks a player that has given the fingers to RL.

Then why do you make a statement saying he does not make as many tackle busts as Carvell when the last time i checked the Stats he is one of the top forwards for making tackle busts

But hey lets just be subjective rather than look at facts particularly if he plays for Huddersfield.

Yeah, Tomkins wouldn't be the first Wigan half back to make a career out of being a backup merchant now would he.

I wonder if young Sam will get that arrogant he'll start rating the tries he scores...

As a saints fan, you can't complain about arrogant half backs.

That's four players out of how many players used over the course of the season?

They did well to win the cup I agree as it represents 50% of the domestic trophies out there.

BUT- lets not sugar coat over the other side of the coin
1-They didn’t play either Leeds or Saints to win the cup (good job as well looking at their pervious against these two)
2-They didn’t make the playoffs

Now Hudds on the other hand made the final after beating Saints + they made the playoffs 2 but yet have less players in the England squad?

Has Wild not been as good as Westwood? What about Kev Brown compared to Myler?

Wild is out, has had knee surgery. Brown did his medial in the Cup Final, out 'til next season.