The Gleeson interview in the WG hinted at CTW slotting in at FB. I expect Philbin to get some game time, so maybe Vaughan to be rested? Powell was due to be rested against London but had to cover for Williams, so maybe he's also rested with Crowther doing a spell at 9?

Thewlis
Lindop
Tai
King
Ashton
Williams
Drinkwater
Yates
Walker
Vaughan
Nicholson
Bateman
Currie

Walker
Harrison
Philbin
Crowther

I hope so. The alternative is Thewlis to full-back and Lindop on the wing, but I'm not a fan of making positional changes when you don't need to. If CTW is regarded as our deputy full-back, then play him when the opportunity arises.

Dufty out for 6 weeks.

Wray
Thewlis
Tai
King
Ashton
Williams
Drinkwater
Harrison
Walker
Yates
Bateman
Nicholson
Currie

Philbin
Musgrove
Crowther
Wood

Eek. Out till first round of the play offs - could have been worse I suppose. Makes top 2 much more difficult though.

I’d still give CTW the run this week, if he does well keep him there, if not we have the option of putting Thewlis in and Lindop to wing.

Maybe Play CTW at fullback when we are attacking and then swop him and Thewlis around when we are defending?

If Dufty is out for 6 weeks, then that would ease CTW into regular 1st team rugby, and he would be under less defensive pressure.

Hmm not sure, that might put him under more pressure. Yes a full back has to make last ditch tackles, but defensive positioning for a winger is vital and he'd still be under pressure through a kicking game on the wing (see Thewlis vs Hull KR). Asking him to defend in a completely alien position to him might be asking for trouble?

How do you finish a game but also need 6 weeks out.

RL players are freaks! (In a nice way)

There's no way the physio should have allowed him back on.

He's having the cartlidge trimmed. Should be more than 6 weeks ideally but club trying for 5!

Perhaps one is as a result of the other?

Can’t he go Orford Lane for a trim, enough choices there and he won’t have to wait six weeks

Losing Dufty is a massive blow but I’m not overly worried - we’ve got good options. See if Sky mention us missing two of our huge overseas stars in the run-in.

Jai Field did it in the cup final, missed 8 weeks after tearing his hamstring early on.

It’s a reflection of Thewlis and how far he’s come as a winger that this isn’t being touted as a chance to get him some experience at fullback. He’s still so young, but it seems a disruption to move him from that wing, even in the name of development. If anything, Thewlis is the safe pair of hands in this scenario.