It feels like something of a miracle that we have been able to name a squad that strong, considering the recent injury absences of varying degrees of seriousness to Williams, Sneyd, King, Fitzgibbon (multiple!), Wrench, Crowther, Lindop, Vaughan and Powell (I've probably forgotten some others!). It could have been a lot different, so "bravo" to the hard work that has obviously been put in by players and staff alike to achieve this outcome.

For what it's worth, my line-up (assuming everyone named in the squad is fit to play) would be:


Dufty
Josh Thewlis
Wrench
King
Lindop
Williams
Sneyd
Vaughan
Powell
Yates
Fitzgibbon
Holroyd
Currie


Ratchford
Harrison
Philbin
Wood


Tough leaving out Tai, but if we are going to win this game, we need to hurt them in attack and rack up some points, and Wrench has just got the ability to do something special.

Can get that but I don’t see him leaving Tai out, as for Lindop on the other wing that looks likely but there was nothing wrong with Thewlis jr on the other wing is why I included him.

I can't see Tai being left out. I think he's very highly rated by those outside of Warrington. I remember hearing Andrew Voss going wild about him. 
His defence can really lift a side. Obviously we see lots of him & see his attacking limitations ... but I'd be gobsmacked if Sam didn't pick him.

I'm not knocking your post or subsequent 'ideal' team selection, or belittling any endeavors to overcome our injury setbacks BUT naming them is one thing, getting through the 80 against top opposition in a high profile game is another.


We don't really have an alternative approach and would have 'accepted' Ashton's and Walker's absence if everyone else was 100% so it's fingers and toes crossed for me      

Wrench is the better attacking threat but much like Fitz he's made of biscuit. Do you take the chance with Wrench when he could pull up with something and we lose a centre? Tai at least will see the game out and put in some big hits but is unlikely to burn any opponents with the ball. Its a hard one. 

I'm optimistically hoping that the coaching and fitness staff know what they are doing, and that the players have been named in the squad on the basis that they will be OK to get through the game. As you say, fingers crossed that's the case!

If we end up with a left edge of Wrench/Lindop, King and Fitzgibbon, i can see flashbacks of the Briers to Monoghan kicking being very effective. Nice tall side that








Which means we'll grubber to the right every time, because.........Warrington

Well maybe I’m blindly optimistic, but we’re in this. We’ve got a shot, if we can summon that effort and energy of the Leigh game, but with a bit more class and composure given the excellent team in front of us, we can do it. 


As always for me, a nod to Tony Smith. We were 9th in the league when we got to the cup final under him and that was up there with the best days of my life. Now, there are people on about sacking the coach because we’re in our second cup final in a row and in a lowly league position. Smith made us this expectant beast, a good day out would have been enough without him. 


Team wise, it’s pretty simple for me. Lindrop plays on the wing, Holroyd back row, bench spots are Crowther and Ratch. I can’t wait to get down there!

All the best on Saturday, I'm going to be a Wire fan for the day. You might not be favourites, but owt can happen in finals.