I think most are settled in a few players not being up to the standard we desire, so who are you picking on Friday night? For me, we need a shake up on the right, and we need speed and agility. Westerman is a good loose, but he can pass better than Hughes, and can run decent lines. That would give us an extra prop in the middle to make up for Russell's meters. Who knows, with an pacey winger, Brown may have more options and be as creative as he shown for England.

I'd go

Ratchford
Penny
Evans (due to shortage of options)
Atkins
Lineham
Brown
Patton
Sims
Gidley
Hill
Westerman
Jullien
Cooper

Clark
Crosby
Philbin
Westwood

When all are fit i would go this way.

Ratchford
Penny
King
Atkins
Patton
Gidley
Hill
Clark
Cooper
Currie
Savelio
Westerman

Smith
Crosby
Philbin
Sims/Hughes.

Always the next one, in theory.

I have long since given up trying to think of a permutation of the current squad that can perform to anything like the standard we should, or could aspire to.

More mature readers may recall an episode of Ripping Yarns in which Michael Palin's football supporting fanatic recruits the elderly and infirm members of his teams heyday to replace the current abject lot.

Sound familiar? I'm off to round up the 86 Premiership team.

Id go with this team;

Gildey - Not the quickest at FB but always in position
Penny
Ratchford
Atkins
Lineham
Patton
Morgan Smith - Eye for a pass and doesn't mind taking the line on. Livett would be here if fit.
Hill
Clarke
Cooper
Julien
Hughes
Westernan

Westwood
Sims
Dwyer
Evans - can cover a few positions in the back line

Whatever the situation our best team cannot be our best team if Brown and/or Evans are named, it just can't!

Currently:

Ratch

Lineham
Atkins
Evans (Due to no one else being fit, otherwise, King/Livett)
Penny

Patton
Gidley

Hill
Clark
Sims
Jullien
Hughes
Westerman

Smith
Westwood
Philbin
Cooper

When is currie due back, does anyone know if he is even running yet?

8-1
8 bloody 1

Maybe we could get Russell and/or Brown to head a heavy potted plant.
Even a late 50's Brain Carbert would offer more than Russell, and A.Gregory in an alcoholic stupor would have a better grap of a game than Brown.

Come on Barnstonworth

Its just come up on SSN Westwood out for 7 weeks.

Rather go with this than include Brown or Russell TBH:

Gidley

Lineham
Jullien
Atkins
Penny

Patton
Ratchford

Hill
Clark
Sims
Savelio
Hughes
Westerman

Smith
Cooper
Crosby
Philbin

i do wonder about penny, how bad was his injury, how acute was the surgery he had, cos we're halfway through the season and i don't think we're any closer to him making a first team appearance.

I thought it was weird how late it was when he actually had the operation, which then caused him to miss all of pre season.

I'd throw that young union lad or Ryan Jones in over Russell if Penny is still injured.