Yes I’d go with that, Russell to start certainly, we need his go forward, tough on Thewlis, but I think Russell on the wing for this one.

Just hope that if we put the youngsters on the bench they actually get fully utilised - not much point if we're going to go through the game predominantly rotating from just 15 players.

I sort of understand what you're saying.
We conceded 13 points, but had Wigan taken their chances it could have been 30.
But for me part of the reason they didn't score more was the defensive effort. We did enough through the likes of inside pressure to cause passes to be rushed, and the chance went begging.
I'm not too perturbed by the defensive work. I am concerned about the forwards play with so many props missing.

Both teams still have their 1,6,7,and 2 hookers available. Both missing some big fellas, both teams bring back a forward for their first game after a good 5-6 weeks out (Harrison and Batchelor). So it pretty much evens itself out I think.
No excuses for either team and the winner will be the team that competes the hardest. That has been the hallmark of this St Helen's side for a few years now so it will be interesting to see if we can match them.
Looks like both teams will have some young fellas trying to prove a point.
8 from 10 is still pretty decent but 9 from 10 would be nice.

Vaughan - Missing
Clarke - Playing
Harrison - Playing
Currie - Playing
Nicholson - Playing
Maguire - Playing

Kasiano - Playing
Walker - Playing
Philbin - Missing
Dudson - Missing

vs

Walmsley - Missing
Roby - Playing
Lees - Playing
Sironen - Missing
Batchelor - Playing
Knowles - Missing

Paasi - Missing
Mata'utia - Missing
Lussick - Playing
LMS - Playing

Those seem to be the packs and benches. You're missing 3, we're missing 5. If anything I think the front row is quite similar, your Vaughan and Dudson vs our Walmsley and Paasi. I think the backrow you have the advantage, with us missing three of ours and you none, apologies if I've missed anyone who would actually play if at full strength.

I think you take it on form and overall sharpness this season. Your pack will edge it and your backs are a lot faster than ours. We'll need our best performance of the season to win it.

You missed Mikele who has gone and Bullock who is missing.... so 5 props missing for us... Harrison is doubtful given its his first time in the squad since injury. Your clearly favourites on your own ground given who is missing from our middles....plus I'm guessing the ref will be in your starting squad as well.

We haven't been at full strength once this season so how do you know what our full strength looks like? I certainly don't. Add bullock and mikaele leaving and I'd say we are hurting more than you, certainly at prop. 3 out suspendedjust reeks of the desperation of the disciplinary panel to get you guys a jump start.

This is a difficult one to call, and Saddened makes some reasonable points although I think he overplays our 'speed' in the backs.

Both sides depleted in the pack. A lot depends on Powells starting line up. I really hope Kasiano is on the bench - then he can cause havoc after 20 mins. I'd like to hope that we could be even up to that point.
I think a lot depends on how well Hurrell goes. If Saints have the majority of the ball and get it to him he could do some real damage, but it also depends on his defence. He's been found out recently.

I thought your defence was fine the problem you had was going forward. The backs need to step up.

Exactly the same as what i'd go for, seems to be the most logical. If Green does make the bench i hope Powell actually lets him loose.

One thing that really concerns me at the moment is the oppositions attacking kicks. We got out of jail by shear luck last week. I remember Thewlis taking a difficult one under pressure but there were lots of other kicks that could have dropped straight into a Wigan players lap.
We need to deal with them a bit better on Thursday.

Wigan kicked really well but conditions didn’t make it easy to catch, quite the reverse I would say.

Harrison is playing according to Powell, I guess it's a similar situation to Batchelor for us. If you look at what i posted, there isn't room on there for two more props without two dropping off that list. You're not putting more than 5 props in your 17 surely? We're missing Walmsley, Paasi, Sironen, Mata'utia and Knowles. That's our five biggest forwards. There's no clear favourites in terms of lineups I don't think. You having your first choice backrow playing and us not tips it in your favour, plus the fact that you've been playing better than us all season. And I'm not sure the referee comment is accurate either, we've had no favours this year at all.

Hopefully Green gets more game time. Looks a top prospect.

Been on the bench the last 2 games but only got on the pitch for 7 minutes over the 2 games.

Yep the way Powell has (or hasn't) used his young forwards says so much. I think he's being protective & thinks they'll get flattened & hurt. The recent reserves score v Wigan also tells a tale that our young back-up is not ready yet. To be honest we'd be better having Matty Russell doing 10 minutes bashing it up in the middle than picking a young forward who isn't going to be used.