If fitz is full fit (touch wood) bateman becomes a bit of a luxury, he's been better at back row, wasn't as good as a middle(imo) unless we're going to change the bench layout (9 and middle replacements) and the way we interchange (subbing back rowers) we've done that a bit but mainly end of games, comfortable leads

He’s only had one game at 13 though right, and that was his first game? He's improved since then and will have a better idea now you would think on positioning and plays etc. for me the back row should remain as Fitz, Nicholson and Currie, with Bateman on the bench to spell Currie and provide cover for 3, 4, 11, 12 & 13. He takes Crowthers place on the bench.

Burgess said he gave Fitz an extra few weeks to take the pressure off his comeback. He's been in full training for at least 2 weeks, if his shoulder is going to go it doesn't matter who we play.
He needs match fitness running in to the playoffs, if he doesn't play it will be harder each week until he does.

I don't think Fitz is going to be fully fit at all this season, I hope I'm wrong, but if not, I hope SB has learned from Wembley and doesn't risk him in the playoffs or the GF - if we get there!

If Fitzgibbon is fully fit, the second row spots are himself and Bateman. With Nicholson at 13, Currie to take a bench spot over Crowther. Bateman is showing game on game improvement, if he continues, then his form going into the playoffs and his experience in knock out rugby will only help Wire. Currie in the bench gives more options in covering various positions which he’s played before. Am starting Nicholson, I just think he offers more in attack with the lines he runs. Picking up the tries as well something he has done more than Currie this season.

I think this shows the signing of Bateman was opportunistic rather than fully thought through. Currie is currently undroppable in my view, unless SB wants to rest him.

Agreed, it’s Currie’s distribution that sets him apart from the other three, his spot is as nailed down as a fully fit Fitzgibbon for me.

Tonight will be one of, if not the toughest game of the season for us. Leigh will be right up for it and in good form. If Fitzgibbon is fit, he has to play. Have to keep the pressure on the top two.

I can't argue with your post IF he is FULLY fit on the other hand and I think that most of the wrap him up for another week or two posters are saying this is isn't the ideal game to test out an 80% Fitzgibbon as you say it will be our toughest game given the opposition and what's at stake.

Just hope we make the right call and of course get the win NTW

Bateman has been much better in the last two games and played well.

For me though, if everyone's fit, our best back three on the evidence of this season are Fitzgibbon, Nicholson and Currie.

If there's any doubt over Fitzgibbon's fitness tonight though he should definitely sit it out because it will be a tough, physical game and Leigh will want to hurt us. Paradoxically those are the same reasons I would want a fit Fitzgibbon in the team if we came up against them again in the playoffs; he was the one who dragged us off the canvas in the home game.

Sorry to hijack the squad thread, but does anyone know if you can watch red button games on the sky sports app? I wasn't able to the other week, just had the standard channel listings.

I don't have the app myself - I watch games via Now TV - but on the Sky website it says this...

Can I watch Sky Sports Plus on the app?
Yes. Head to the 'Watch' section on the Sky Sports app to access all Sky Sports+ live streams via event centres.

You can only watch Sky Sports + via an IOS device (basically an iPad or an iPhone) using the Sky Sports app. You can't watch the + games on a Windows laptop or desktop, only the main channels. A bit of a pain as I used to watch on a decent sized monitor but now I have to watch the plus games on my iPad.

Thanks, I have the Sky Sports app on my iPad and log in via our virgin media details so hopefully it'll let me see SS+!

Time will tell, with Fitzgibbon.