Most other wingers in SL would have put Olpherts into touch for his try on Friday. Olpherts (among others) did that to Thewlis more than once last season as well. Thewlis' goal line defence is sketchy at best at times. Powell seems to be summing up whether his work in attack makes playing him worthwhile at the moment which I think is a fair question.

I am a fan of Thewlis and he and Ashton did a great job on the early carries in the first half against Leeds. I know the pack was brilliant against Leeds but I thought Ashton and Thewlis ran like they had been shot out of cannon early in the game that also helped the forwards with momentum.
It was noticable in the second half that Leeds tried to halt the wingers progress early in the tackle count and they were a bit more successful at it.
Russell is a real handful on play 1/2 and even good defenders like Yates and Hill struggle to dominate him so for that reason I would favour Russell for this one if he is over his illness .

I appreciate that we all want to see wingers flying down the wing and not used as battering rams but I also understand the importance of gaining momentum on tackle 1/2

If Russell does get the nod over Thewlis I’d be pretty disappointed. Giants will have a field day kicking to his corner either in the air or by turning him with low kicks. Agreed that Thewlis could have done better on Olpherts (but noting that Russell was similarly ineffective v Charnley against Leigh) but he was very good in all other aspects including a great finish. Hope he plays.

If we start playing Russell over Thewlis then we’ve just learned nothing as a club and it will be depressing. Thewlis, whilst still with some weaknesses, is a talent and should be way ahead of an average journeyman in the pecking order.

Russell is a very typical Powell winger, I reckon he will start on Friday. Strong and gets good carries in on the early tackles and importantly, gets a quick ptb more often than not, hopefully he’s ironed out some of his earlier issues. Thewlis is still young - 20 and younger than Jack Welsby for example. He will have plenty of opportunity, I’m not sure wing is where he will be at his best anyway. When Wrench comes back I assume he’ll come in to contention for a wing spot too.

Edit: personally I’d probably prefer to see the likes of Thewlis & Wrench take the opportunity rather than Russell too - but I can see why Powell brought him in.

Also though not an issue right now but if Bullock goes like he done against Leeds, he surely keeps his spot when the likes of McGuire, Dudson et al all become available.

Swapping Thewlis for Russell because you're wanting to improve your defence is like closing your door and opening all your windows because you dont want to get robbed.

I want Russell nowhere near the 17. I want him to be a cover for our main wingers and I don't see the need for him against hudds.

On the contrary.
I want the best players who have earned the shirt to start.
Competition is healthy in RL.
If Russell out works Thewlis, then Thewlis needs to step up…
Which he did.
Why are you making this point now, and not 4/5s the way through 2022 when Dufty went fullback?

Some wingers may well have taken Olpherts into touch, but I’m not sure Russell is one of them. He has the size to do it, but not sure he wouldn’t have just turned and made a grab rather than managed to get there and go low around the legs. I don’t remember Russell’s defence being the latter against Leigh in the friendly.

When dudson is fit, Makiele should drop out. 4 props of Vaughan, dudson, bullock and Kasiano would be my ideal scenario.
Oh, and if Powell picks Russell ahead of josh thewlis then I am going to be mightily unimpressed(even if we win)

Baring late injuries prior to kick off, tomorrows squad is.....

Dufty
Thewlis
Matautia
Ratchford
Ashton
Drinkwater
Williams
Vaughan
Clark
Mikaele
Holroyd
Currie
Harrison

Kasiano
Bullock
Walker
Minikin