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!

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

Ratchford isn't in this weeks 19-man squad. (Club Website)

cant agree remember robbie paul was a stand off turned hooker and i am sure stef could go in at acting half at the play the ball with no problem whatsever

I know who I'd prefer playing as interchange hooker this Saturday. Surely a player of Robbie's experience of playing that role is better than someone who's never played that position before at this level?

Ratchford is a good prospect but it's up to him to push Jeremy Smith or Myler out of the team, rather than just trying to accomodate him somewhere else in the team just for the sake of it?

It's just too much of a luxury in SL to have a replacement half-back taking a valuable space up on the interchange bench!

Whilst the new players are settling in and last seasons players getting back to the speed of super league, the team might not be competitive for the first few rounds. Maybe McRae wants to make sure the team is competitive before exposing all the younger players to top flight super league. Let's face it getting thumped week in week out will not help their development. When the time is right Ratchford will make his impact!!

There's still time for Ratchford to be included in the squad isn't there

been watching turner for the past 5 years never seen him play centre, he has played stand off,- loose, can`t understand why they want to play him at centre, he will be a good sub this season, he can kick, which is a good advantage.COME ON YOU REDS.

If Ratchford is injured or dosent feature in Mcraes game plan its fair enough, but me personally would just like to ratchford have a chance even if it is at hooker i may get slated for saying this but i dont think paul is a good player last season he was far from impressive i thought although after watching him play in friendlys he has done ok but i still feel ratchford can offer more in attack and his kicking game is the best on the team.

Paul for me has bin there & done it and i would just like to see some english youth given a chance for once. Ratchford has a better future at the club than paul does and with no relegation now if ever us the time to give the young lads a go.

With as many good young players as we have in our squad there are going to be games where a couple miss out. We've got a long season ahead of us and just because Ratchford is left out in this one doesn't mean he's going to have limited opportunities this season.