I know its a long season, but Mcrae really needs to think about this leaving Ratchford out for Paul IMO is a big mistake.

i'd expect nash and turner to miss out

What does Ratchford have to do for him to get a place he has looked dangerous in the games he has played so far, very bad decision by Mcrae.

Perhaps Paul is not relacing Ratchford: there's other half-backs in that 18.

Let's hold back on our judgements after we've seen what SL teams will produce against us THIS eason.

Cant see turner missing out he will be in the centre i should imagine.

Nope, the horse will IMO

I agree with Hillbilly Red, lets see what happens and how the game plan goes for this game before we criticise Mcrae...he's leaving himself open to dogs abuse if we get wopped and there's no Ratchford though.

Id also expect Turner and Nash to miss out of the 19...Turner hasn't impressed me at all in the centres in the friendlies and Littler has played pretty well in them.

Fitzy, Henry, Talau, Littler, Wilshere, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapo, Parker, Terminator, Swain Subs - Paul, Adamson, Jewitt, Lulu

Maybe he thinks we've got a big size advantage over Celtic and he's going for a forward-dominated game which is why he's gone forward heavy on the bench??

Lets not make knee jerk reactions, there could be a perfectly logical explaination why Ratchford isn't figuring this weekend. He may be ill or injured, the SL site could have ommited his name by mistake or maybe Ratchford's error that very nearly cost us the Grand Final is still fresh in McRae's mind? or like the post above says Ratchford may simply not fit in to this weeks game plan?

And all this talk of Paul taking Ratchford's spot is nonsense because Paul will be used as a second hooker and not a half back!

Not sure why everyone is so suprised, EVERTON1 gave us the team news yesterday?

19-Man Squad: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Henry, Talau, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Parker, Swain, Turner, Littler, Leuluai, Paul, Jewitt, Adamson, Nash reds.originalreddevils.com/2009/ ... d-of-2009/ NO RATCHFORD!

19-Man Squad: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Henry, Talau, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Parker, Swain, Turner, Littler, Leuluai, Paul, Jewitt, Adamson, Nash reds.originalreddevils.com/2009/ ... d-of-2009/ NO RATCHFORD!

Quote cleggy_jc="cleggy_jc"19-Man Squad: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Henry, Talau, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Parker, Swain, Turner, Littler, Leuluai, Paul, Jewitt, Adamson, Nash reds.originalreddevils.com/2009/ ... d-of-2009/ NO RATCHFORD!'" Celtic are a big physical team and it appears McRae is looking to match them in this area. I think McRae will choose 4 forwards on the bench, Paul will play as an interchange hooker with Malc but if needed Paul can play in the backs too. (More Flexibility) I think this is why Paul has been selected as Ratchford is limited to either half back or wing.

Quote cleggy_jc="cleggy_jc"19-Man Squad: Fitzpatrick, Wilshere, Henry, Talau, Smith, Myler, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Parker, Swain, Turner, Littler, Leuluai, Paul, Jewitt, Adamson, Nash reds.originalreddevils.com/2009/ ... d-of-2009/ NO RATCHFORD!'" Celtic are a big physical team and it appears McRae is looking to match them in this area. I think McRae will choose 4 forwards on the bench, Paul will play as an interchange hooker with Malc but if needed Paul can play in the backs too. (More Flexibility) I think this is why Paul has been selected as Ratchford is limited to either half back or wing.

Does anyone know if Ratchford is in the squad for Saturday?